Whole-Body and Renal Clearance of ²⁰³Hg-Chlormerodrin. The Effect of Chelating Agents on Clearance

Summary

Using a whole-body counter, normal whole-body and renal clearances of ²⁰³Hg-chlormerodrin and the action of L-cysteine and D-penicillamine as chelating agents have been studied in 19 subjects.

L-cysteine and D-penicillamine given in varying doses at different time intervals did not change the whole-body or renal retention of mercury. This indicates that these chelating agents are not effective when mercury is present in the body in minute quantities. The search for better and more convenient renal scanning agents should continue, as should also the search for a better chelating agent to enhance clearance of ²⁰³Hg from the body.

L’élimination normale corporelle et rénale de la ²⁰³Hg-chlormérodrine et l’action de la L-cystéine et de la D-penicillamine comme chélateurs ont été étudiés chez 19 sujets avec un anthropogammamètre.

La L-cystéine et la D-pénicillamine administrées à des doses variées et à des intervalles de temps différents ne changèrent pas la rétention corporelle ou rénale du mercure. Ce résultat indique que ces chélateurs ne sont pas efficaces lorsque le mercure est présent dans le corps en quantités infimes. La recherche pour un composé meilleur et plus commode pour la scintigraphic rénale doit continuer, de même que la recherche pour un meilleur chélateur pour éliminer le ²⁰³Hg du corps.

19 Personen ohne Nierenerkrankungen wurden in einem Ganzkörperzähler nach Verabreichung von ²⁰³Hg-chlormerodrin zur Bestimmung der Ganzkörper-und der direkten renalen Clearance gemessen und die chelierende Wirkung von L-Cysteine und D-Penicillamine untersucht.

Weder L-Cysteine noch D-Penicillamine, in verschiedenen Mengen und Zeitabständen verabreicht, veränderten die Ganzkörperoder die Nieren-Retention des Quecksilbers. Diese Chelate sind anscheinend unwirksam, wenn Quecksilber in nur sehr geringen Mengen im Körper vorhanden ist. Die Forschung nach wirkungsvolleren Verbindungen zur Nierenszintigraphie und nach besseren Chelatoren sollte weiter fortgesetzt werden, um die Ausscheidung des ²⁰³Hg zu beschleunigen.

¹ G. T. Krishnamurthy, M.B.B.S., Fellow in Nuclear Medicine, Veterans Administration Center, Los Angeles, Calif.

² Marianne Lederer, B.S., Nuclear Medicine Service, Veterans Administration Center, Los Angeles, Calif.

³ Manuel Tubis, Ph. D., Research Biochemist, Nucleár Medicine Service, Veterans Administration Center, Los Angeles, and Visiting Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.

⁴ William, H. Blahd, M.D., Chief, Nuclear Medicine Service, Veterans Administration Center, Los Angeles, and Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Calif.

^* Correspondence: G. T. Krishnamurthy, M.B.B.S., Nuclear Medicine Service D-101, Wadsworth Hospital Veterans Administration Center, Los Angeles, California 90073.

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