Arsenic intoxication: general aspects and chelating agents

Abstract

Arsenic (As) is widely used in the modern industry, especially in the production of pesticides, herbicides, wood preservatives, and semiconductors. The sources of As such as contaminated water, air, soil, but also food, can cause serious human diseases. The complex mechanism of As toxicity in the human body is associated with the generation of free radicals and the induction of oxidative damage in the cell. One effective strategy in reducing the toxic effects of As is the usage of chelating agents, which provide the formation of inert chelator-metal complexes with their further excretion from the body. This review discusses different aspects of the use of metal chelators, alone or in combination, in the treatment of As poisoning. Consideration is given to the therapeutic effect of thiol chelators such as meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid, sodium 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonate, 2,3-dimercaptopropanol, penicillamine, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and other recent agents against As toxicity. The review also considers the possible role of flavonoids, trace elements, and herbal drugs as promising natural chelating and detoxifying agents.

Epidemics and outbreaks of peripheral nervous system disorders: II. Toxic and nutritional causes

“…Arsenic is known to be a traditional poison, called "poudre de succession" ("powder of inheritance") in France under the reign of Louis XIV [73], and was also used in traditional Chinese medicine since at least 4000 years ago [74]. In Europe, it was part of the treatment of syphilis or other disorders in the nineteenth century [74].…”

“…Arsenic is known to be a traditional poison, called "poudre de succession" ("powder of inheritance") in France under the reign of Louis XIV [73], and was also used in traditional Chinese medicine since at least 4000 years ago [74]. In Europe, it was part of the treatment of syphilis or other disorders in the nineteenth century [74]. Today, it is still widely used in industry (especially in the production of pesticides, herbicides, wood preservatives, and semiconductors) and represents a public health issue in some areas [74].…”

“…In Europe, it was part of the treatment of syphilis or other disorders in the nineteenth century [74]. Today, it is still widely used in industry (especially in the production of pesticides, herbicides, wood preservatives, and semiconductors) and represents a public health issue in some areas [74].…”

“…Although acute arsenic poisoning produces arterial hypotension, encephalopathy and organ failure (leading to death at high doses), chronic exposure is characterized by skin involvement (keratosis and pigmentation) and other disorders including PN [74]. One of the most famous epidemics of arsenic-induced polyneuropathy was described in England in 1900-1901: first considered as alcohol-induced PN (because "peripheral neuritis is unfortunately a very common affection in Lancashire among alcoholics, and for at least 20 years has been a prolific cause of paralysis.…”

Flow-injection Determination of Glutathione, Penicillamine and Tiopronin Based on the Reduction of Copper(II)-neocuproine Reagent

“…PEN was the first chelator used for Wilson's disease and it can be also used for lead, mercury and arsenic poisoning. [3,4] Tiopronin (mercaptopropionyl glycine, MPG) is a synthetic aminothiol compound with reducing and complexation properties. It is used primarily for the treatment of cystinuria, as it increases cystine solubility by a thiol-disulfide exchange with cystine to form a complex with the cysteine monomer, forming a highly soluble disulfide compound.…”