Distribution and excretion of the mercury chelating agent sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate in the rat.

The distribution and excretion of sodium 2,3-dimercapto-1,3 14C-propane-1-sulfonate as dependent on time has been studied in the rat. The highest concentration is found in the kidneys, the lowest in the brain. The excretion is very rapid (T1/2 = 19 min) and follows a monoexponential curve during the first hour after administration. This holds for plasma and most of the organs too. The apparent distribution volume of the radioactivity is equivalent to the volume of the extracellular water. After oral administration, 30-40% is absorbed from the gut. The results lead to the conclusion that a fraction of the drug is weakly bound to plasma- and membrane-proteins. They are discussed with respect to the treatment of heavy metal poisoning.