Influence of methionine and zinc supplementation during chelation of lead in rats.

The influence of methionine and Zn supplementation on the therapeutic efficacy of calcium disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (CaNa2 EDTA) and 2,3-dimercaptopropane 1-sulphonate (DMPS) in lead intoxication was investigated in rats. The combined treatment with CaNa2 EDTA and methionine +Zn or DMPS and methionine +Zn was more effective than the respective chelator alone in decreasing the blood and tissue burden of Pb and increasing urinary excretion of Pb, with the former combination being more effective than the later. However, simultaneous supplementation of the amino acid and essential trace element did not improve upon the efficacy of the chelator in reversing lead-induced biochemical alterations.