The effect of repeated intraperitoneal administration of
Tiron (4,5-dihydroxy-1,3-benzenedisulfonic acid),
ascorbic acid,
deferoxamine (DFOA) or 2-mercaptosuccinic
acid on urinary excretion and tissue distribution of
vanadium was assessed in rats which had previously received 12
intraperitoneal injections of
sodium metavanadate (1.84 mg/kg per injection) or
vanadyl sulphate trihydrate (6.35 mg/kg per injection) during a 4-week period.
Chelating agents were administered daily for 5 days at doses equal to one-eighth of their respective LDSO. Only
Tiron significantly decreased the tissue concentration of
vanadium, whereas DFOA and
Tiron significantly enhanced the urinary excretion of
vanadium after repeated parenteral administration of
sodium metavanadate. Again, only
Tiron significantly increased the urinary elimination of
vanadium following
vanadyl sulphate administration. The results of this study show that
Tiron has potential beneficial effects in the treatment of repeated intraperitoneal
vanadium poisoning, while the effectiveness of DFOA is very uncertain. 2-Mercaptosuccinic and ascorbic
acids were not effective as antidotes for parenteral
vanadium intoxication.