Protective effects of thiol compounds on chromate-induced toxicity in vitro and in vivo.

The effects of thiol compounds (L-cysteine ethyl ester, 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid, or 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid) on the toxicity induced by chromate (potassium dichromate) were investigated in HeLa cells and mice. Chromate-induced cytotoxicity evaluated by inhibition of cell growth and chromium content of the cells was diminished by all of the thiol compounds tested when the cells were incubated in the medium with both chromate and one of the thiol compounds. In mice injected ip with a thiol compound immediately after injection of chromate, mortality, ornithine carbamyl transferase activity in the serum, and chromium content in the liver were diminished remarkably compared with mice injected with chromate alone. These thiol compounds also caused an increase of urinary chromium excretion. These results suggest that the thiol compounds tested are useful for treating chromate-induced toxicity when they are given immediately after intake of the metal.