Comparative effects of parenteral and oral administration of selected dithiocarbamates on body burdens and organ distribution of cadmium in mice.

Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC), N-methyl-N-dithiocarboxyglucamine (MDCG), and 4-carboxamidopiperidine-N-dithiocarboxylate (CAP-N-DTC) were compared at equimolar doses administered by the ip and po routes for effectiveness in mobilizing metallothionein (MT)-bound cadmium (Cd) using 109Cd in mice. DDTC was highly effective by both routes in lowering hepatic, renal, and splenic Cd levels, but enhanced redistribution of Cd to testes and brain. While MDCG and CAP-N-DTC were much less active by the oral route, each effected a significant reduction of renal Cd levels, and MDCG reduced the testicular Cd burden. Neither analog lowered hepatic Cd levels impressively when given po.