Chelation in metal intoxication. XXIII: Effect of N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine on lead or lead and ethanol intoxicated rats.

Efficacy of N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine to reduce the body burden of lead and restore the altered biochemical parameters in lead or lead and ethanol intoxicated rats was investigated. The investigation was aimed to suggest suitable prophylaxis of lead poisoning prevalent among workers in lead industry who may also be exposed to ethanol. The rats were given lead (10 mg/kg, p.o.) or lead and ethanol (10% v/v in drinking water) daily for 8 weeks. Following exposure period a single dose of N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine (0.3 mmole/kg, intraperitoneal) was given daily for 4 days. The chelator was effective in enhancing the urinary and faecal excretion of lead, reducing the concentration of lead in liver and kidney and lowering the excretion of delta-aminolevulinic acid in lead treated rats. However, the protection was more noticeable in animals treated with lead alone than with lead and ethanol.