Effects of chelating agents on testicular toxicity in mice caused by acute exposure to nickel.

N-Benzyl-D-glucaminedithiocarbamate (BGD), diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC), dihydroxyethyldithiocarbamate (DHED), trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (CDTA), and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) were studied for their protective effects against the testicular toxicity in mice induced by acute exposure to nickel (Ni). Mice were injected intraperitoneally with NiCl2 (5 mgNi/kg) and 30 min or 24 h later, they were injected intraperitoneally with chelating agents (400 mumol/kg). Ni injection increased lipid peroxidation and concentrations of Ca and Fe in the testes, liver, and kidney, and decreased the testicular weight and the fertility rate. At 30 min after Ni treatment, the chelating agents other than CDTA effectively depressed Ni concentration in the testes. At 24 h after Ni treatment, DMSA, BGD, and DDTC were effective in mobilizing Ni from the testes. DMSA, BGD, and CDTA significantly prevented the increase in the lipid peroxidation, the increase in the concentrations of Ca and Fe in the testes, liver, and kidney, and the decrease in the fertility rate caused by Ni injection. Treatment with DMSA or BGD was more effective than that with the others in decreasing the testicular Ni concentration, resulting in effective protection against Ni-induced testicular damage.