Effects of diethyldithiocarbamate and penicillamine on the tissue distribution of 63NiCl2 in mice.

The effects of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate and DL-penicillamine on the fate of 63Ni2+ in mice injected with 63NiCl2 were studied by whole body autoradiography and liquid scintillation counting. Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate caused a retention and redistribution of 63Ni2+ in the tissues. DL-penicillamine decreased the 63Ni2+-concentration in the tissues. The nickel-diethyldithiocarbamate complex is lipophilic, whereas the nickel-DL-penicillamine complex is hydrophilic, and these differences in chemical properties may determine the different effects which these chelating agents have on the fate of Ni2+.