Chelation Therapy
Definition
Administration of a polydentate ligand that forms a stable water-soluble complex with the metal cation and increases urinary excretion. BAL (dimercaprol) is the classical agent. DMSA (succimer) and DMPS (unithiol) are the modern oral agents. Ca-EDTA is specific for lead. Prussian blue is unique to thallium.
Related terms
- Bhasma
- Calcined heavy-metal preparation in classical ayurvedic and siddha pharmacopoeia. Includes naga bhasma (lead), parad bhasma (mercury), tamra bhasma (copper). Heavy metals are...
- Marsh Test
- Sensitive 1836 method for arsenic in which the acidified sample is added to zinc and dilute sulphuric acid. The evolved arsine gas...
- Mees Lines
- Transverse white bands across the fingernails that follow acute or repeated chronic exposure to arsenic, thallium or selenium. Appear 4 to 8...
- Reinsch Test
- Classical screen for arsenic, antimony, mercury and bismuth. A clean copper strip is immersed in the acidified sample (concentrated HCl, near-boiling) for...
- Speciation
- Determining the chemical form of a metal in a sample, not just the total. Critical for arsenic because As(III) trivalent arsenite is...
Explained in
- Toxic Metals and Anions: Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, Thallium and BeyondAdministration of a polydentate ligand that forms a stable water-soluble complex with the metal cation and increases urinary excretion. BAL (dimercaprol) is th...