Swaran J.S. Flora* and Vidhu Pachauri
Chelation in Metal Intoxication
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2010 Jul; 7(7): 2745–2788.
http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/57519745
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2922724/pdf/ijerph-07-02745.pdf

Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Jhansi
Road, Gwalior 474 002, India; E-Mail: vidhudrde@gmail.com

Swaran J.S. Flora*
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: sjsflora@drde.drdo.in;
sjsflora@hotmail.com; Tel.: +91-751-234-4301; Fax: +91-751-234-1148.



Abstract
Chelation therapy is the preferred medical treatment for reducing the toxic effects of metals. Chelating agents are capable of binding to toxic metal ions to form complex structures which are easily excreted from the body removing them from intracellular or extracellular spaces. 2,3-Dimercaprol has long been the mainstay of chelation therapy for lead or arsenic poisoning, however its serious side effects have led researchers to develop less toxic analogues. Hydrophilic chelators like meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid effectively promote renal metal excretion, but their ability to access intracellular metals is weak. Newer strategies to address these drawbacks like combination therapy (use of structurally different chelating agents) or co-administration of antioxidants have been reported recently. In this review we provide an update of the existing chelating agents and the various strategies available for the treatment of heavy metals and metalloid intoxications.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2922724/