Increased Urinary Excretion of Carnitine and Acylcarnitine by Mercuric Chloride Is Reversed by 2,3-Dimercapto-1-Propanesulfonic Acid in Rats

Abstract

This investigation was aimed to study the effect of 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) on mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced alterations in urinary excretion of various carnitine fractions including free carnitine (FC), acylcarnitine (AC), and total carnitine (TC). Different groups of Wistar male rats were treated with HgCl2 at the doses of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mg/kg body weight, and the animals were sacrificed at 24 hours following HgCl2 injection. A separate batch of animals received HgCl2 (2 mg/kg) with or without DMPS (100 mg/kg) and sacrificed at 24 or 48 hours after dosing. Administration of HgCl2 resulted in statistically significant and dose-dependent increase in the urinary excretion of FC, AC, and TC in rats. However, the ratio of urinary AC:FC was significantly decreased by HgCl2. Pretreatment with DMPS offered statistically significant protection against HgCl2-induced alterations in various urinary carnitine fractions in rats.