Chelation in metal intoxication. XXXVI: Effect of substituted piperazine dithiocarbamates in lead-exposed rats

Chelation is most acceptable means of managing heavy metal poisoning. Piperazine hexahydrate dithiocarbamate (PHD), N-methyl piperazine dithiocarbamate (MPD), N-3-chloro-phenyl piperazine dithiocarbamate (CPD), and N-benzyl piperazine dithiocarbamate (BPD) were investigated for their efficacies to mobilize lead and restore Pb-induced hematopoietic alterations in experimentally intoxicated rats. MPD and CPD were effective in enhancing the urinary excretion of Pb. While PHD and MPD were successful in lowering hepatic Pb, CPD, and BPD were effective in doing so from renal tissue. All the chelating agents decreased the blood level of Pb. The lowering of Pb body burden had no influence on the restoration of biochemical changes which indicates that the latter may not be directly related to the metal mobilizing potential of the chelating agents. None of the compounds caused excessive depletion of body Cu or Zn. No relationship between efficacies of the chelating agents and their structures was seen. However, MPD and CPD appeared to be promising antidotes of Pb poisoning.