Tiron (sodium 4,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,3-disulfonate) as an antidote for acute uranium intoxication in mice.

Tiron (sodium 4,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,3-disulfonate) administered intraperitoneally was found to antagonize the lethal action of intraperitoneally induced uranium(VI) toxicity. In a comparative study Tiron was evaluated against Na3CaDTPA (sodium calcium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate). The ability of these compounds to detoxify the uranyl ion in simple and complexed form and their efficacy in delayed treatment regimens and determined. Toxicities of the complexes were assessed by the administration of uranyl acetate at levels of 40 mg/kg or 80 mg/kg complexed at a mole ratio of 3:1 or 2:1 of chelating agent to uranium, prior to injection, followed by two additional doses of chelating agent given one and three hours later at a 10:1 mole ratio of chelating agent to uranium. Therapy in delayed treatment regimens consisted of three injections of antidote given 20 minutes, one hour, and three hours, at a 10:1 mole ratio of chelating agent to uranium, subsequent to an injection of 40 mg/kg uranyl acetate. Survival rates for animals receiving multiple injections of Tiron were enhanced over those receiving Na3CaDTPA. The low inherent toxicity of Tiron may make it appropriate for possible clinical application.