Mobilization of aged cadmium deposits by dithiocarbamates.

Mice with chronic cadmium intoxication were given low levels (0.6 mm/kg) of several dithiocarbamates (parent compounds: dihydroxyethylamine, iminodiacetic acid, methylhydroxyethylamine and sarcosine) in an attempt to reduce the cadmium present in the liver and kidney. Comparing the results with those obtained with the less polar sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (NaDDTC), only ammonium di(hydroxyethyl)dithiocarbamate (NH4DHE-DTC) possessed a similar ability to reduce kidney cadmium levels. Under the experimental conditions employed, the reduction obtained with NH4DHE-DTC was less than that effected by a comparable dose of NaDDTC. A subsequent dose-dependence study showed, however, that sodium di(hydroxyethyl)dithiocarbamate (NaDHE-DTC) is quite effective at higher dosage levels (up to 5.5 mmoles/kg) where substantial reductions in both kidney (89% mobilization) and liver (38% mobilization) stores of cadmium were observed. High doses of the NaDHE-DTC are well tolerated as the LD50 of this compound in mice is greater than 19.8 mmoles/kg.