Biomaterial Database

Effect of thiocarbamate derivatives on copper, zinc, and mercury distribution in rats and mice. 1981

J Aaseth, and J Alexander, and A Wannag

Oral treatment of rats with tetramethylthiuram disulphide (TMTDS), 0.1% mixed in the food (corresponding to 20--30 mumol daily) for one week, increased the brain levels of endogenous copper and zinc to 120% and 170%, respectively, of the control levels. Mice injected with HgCl2 (2.5 mumol/kg) were used to study further the effect of DDC (diethyldithiocarbamate), disulfiram, TMTDS or CS2 on heavy metal distribution. The brain levels of Hg were significantly increased in mice given DDC or TMTDS. Disulfiram and CS2 increased the brain levels marginally. Pregnant rats exposed to HgCl2 (0.5 mumol/kg) were also included in the studies. Treatment with DDC (0.5 mmol/kg) immediately after the mercury injection, increased the maternal brain concentration of mercury considerably, as measured after 24 and 78 h. The kidney levels were also increased. In the foetuses, the brain and liver levels were transiently increased after treatment with diethyldithiocarbamate. The observations support the hypothesis that the neurotoxicity of diethyldithiocarbamate and other thiocarbamates may be related to changes in heavy metal metabolism.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008627	Mercuric Chloride	Mercury chloride (HgCl2). A highly toxic compound that volatizes slightly at ordinary temperature and appreciably at 100 degrees C. It is corrosive to mucous membranes and used as a topical antiseptic and disinfectant.	Mercury Dichloride,Corrosive Sublimate,HgCl2,Mercuric Perchloride,Mercury Bichloride,Mercury Perchloride,Sublimate,Bichloride, Mercury,Chloride, Mercuric,Dichloride, Mercury,Perchloride, Mercuric,Perchloride, Mercury,Sublimate, Corrosive
D008628	Mercury	A silver metallic element that exists as a liquid at room temperature. It has the atomic symbol Hg (from hydrargyrum, liquid silver), atomic number 80, and atomic weight 200.59. Mercury is used in many industrial applications and its salts have been employed therapeutically as purgatives, antisyphilitics, disinfectants, and astringents. It can be absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes which leads to MERCURY POISONING. Because of its toxicity, the clinical use of mercury and mercurials is diminishing.
D003300	Copper	A heavy metal trace element with the atomic symbol Cu, atomic number 29, and atomic weight 63.55.	Copper-63,Copper 63
D005260	Female		Females
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013045	Species Specificity	The restriction of a characteristic behavior, anatomical structure or physical system, such as immune response; metabolic response, or gene or gene variant to the members of one species. It refers to that property which differentiates one species from another but it is also used for phylogenetic levels higher or lower than the species.	Species Specificities,Specificities, Species,Specificity, Species
D013859	Thiocarbamates	Carbamates in which the -CO- group has been replaced by a -CS- group.	Thiocarbamate
D014018	Tissue Distribution	Accumulation of a drug or chemical substance in various organs (including those not relevant to its pharmacologic or therapeutic action). This distribution depends on the blood flow or perfusion rate of the organ, the ability of the drug to penetrate organ membranes, tissue specificity, protein binding. The distribution is usually expressed as tissue to plasma ratios.	Distribution, Tissue,Distributions, Tissue,Tissue Distributions
D015032	Zinc	A metallic element of atomic number 30 and atomic weight 65.38. It is a necessary trace element in the diet, forming an essential part of many enzymes, and playing an important role in protein synthesis and in cell division. Zinc deficiency is associated with ANEMIA, short stature, HYPOGONADISM, impaired WOUND HEALING, and geophagia. It is known by the symbol Zn.
D051379	Mice	The common name for the genus Mus.	Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus