Time related influence of alpha-mercapto-beta-(2-furyl)acrylic acid (MFA) in cadmium toxicity.

The effect of alpha-mercapto-beta-(2-furyl) acrylic acid (MFA, 200 mg/kg, oral) administered 30 min or 24 h post cadmium (1 mg/kg, i.p.) exposure on cadmium toxicity, was investigated in rats. The Cd induced hepatic metallothionein was reduced by MFA treatment parallel to the depletion of hepatic Cd. However, in renal tissue, MFA caused only redistribution of metal from the particulate to the soluble fraction. Hepatic and renal Zn and renal Cu were significantly increased on Cd exposure. MFA therapy, however, lowered the hepatic Zn and increased the renal Cu levels. The action of MFA appears to be via metal chelation rather than by MT induction.