Four Chelating Agents

Four Chelating Agents

Question 1. Enumerate Four Chelating Agents.
Answer:

The four chelating agents are as follows:

• Dimercaprol or BAL
• Disodium edentate
• Calcium disodium edentate
• Deferiprone

Question 2. Enumerate Four Heavy Metal Antagonists And Their Therapeutic Uses. Describe The Mechanism Of Action Of Heavy Metal Antagonists.
Answer:

Enumeration of Four Heavy Metal Antagonists Along with Their Therapeutic Uses

Mechanism Of Action Of Heavy Metal Antagonists

Heavy metals exert their toxic effects by combining with and inactivating the functional groups (-SH, -S-S-, -NH2, -OH, -PO3) of vital enzymes.

In this way, they interfere with the normal physiological functions of these enzymes in the body leading to toxic effects. These groups are called “ligands.”

Metal poisoning is corrected by using chelating agents. A chelating agent consists of polar groups such as -SH, -OH, -NH2, or -COOH, which can bind a metal ion.

Chelating agents, therefore, compete with body ligands (for heavy metal binding) to form stable, non-toxic, water-soluble complexes, which are then easily excreted from the body.

Following is the mechanism of action of various heavy metal antagonists: