Effect of disulfiram on milk transfer and tissue distribution of lead in the neonatal rat.

The effect of disulfiram (tetraethylthiuram disulphide) on uptake and tissue distribution of 203Pb was studied in neonatal rats exposed to lead via dams' milk. In the dams, treatment with disulfiram greatly increased the 203Pb concentration in brain and liver and decreased 203Pb concentration in plasma and erythrocytes, as compared to controls given only 203Pb. However, in the pups of disulfiram-treated dams total uptake of 203Pb was reduced by 50% and the concentration of 203Pb in brain and liver was significantly reduced. Consistent with these findings, the level of 203Pb in the maternal milk was lower in the disulfiram-treated dams compared to controls. It is suggested, that the lower lactational transfer and uptake of lead in the neonatal rat after treatment of the dams with disulfiram is due to retention and strong binding of lead to tissue components in the dams after formation of a lead-dithiocarbamate complex.