Effect of thiol chelators on trace metal levels.

Influence of 2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid, diethyldithiocarbamate and DL-penicillamine on the levels of essential metals in liver, kidney and serum was investigated. The hepatic zinc increased while renal copper decreased significantly upon treatment with these commonly used thiol metal chelators. On the other hand, hepatic copper decreased on treatment with DL-penicillamine. The renal zinc and serum copper and zinc remained practically unaffected on treatment with these metal chelators.