Protective effect of Tiron (4,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,3-disulfonic acid disodium salt) against beryllium-induced maternal and fetal toxicity in rats.

The efficacy of Tiron (4,5-dihydroxybenzene 1,3-disulfonic acid disodium salt) was examined in the treatment of beryllium-induced maternal and developmental toxicity in rats. Single administration of beryllium nitrate at a dose of 50 mg/kg (i.m.) on day 13 of gestation caused reductions in fetal and placental weights, the number of implantation sites and number of corpora lutea, as well as causing post-implantation loss, stunted growth, increase in the number of resorptions, and also a disturbed sex ratio. Maternal toxicity was demonstrated by reduction in body weight gain. Administration of beryllium also showed significant alteration in the hematological and biochemical indices of the mother as well as the fetus. Marked decreases were recorded in hemoglobin percentage, blood sugar levels, serum protein contents and serum alkaline phosphatase activity. By contrast, significant elevation was found in the activity of transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase). Tissue protein contents, glycogen contents, activities of alkaline phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase of kidney, lungs and uterus, and maternal and fetal liver all showed significantly decreased values after beryllium exposure, and remarkable elevation was observed in acid phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase and hepatic lipid peroxidation. These parameters were restored considerably with administration of 471 mg/kg i.m. Tiron from days 14 to 18 of gestation. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry also revealed a high concentration of beryllium in different organs of pregnant rats. Interestingly, a small amount of metal ion was also detected in the fetus and reduced accumulation of beryllium was noticed after Tiron treatment.