Dimercaptosuccinic acid

• 2,3- Dithioweinsäure
• 2,3- Disulfanylbutandisäure
• DMSA

• 2418-14-6 (unspecified)
• 304-55-2 ( meso )
• 10008-75-0 (2R, 3R)
• 27887-82-7 (2S, 3S)

Colorless solid

Fixed

192-193 ° C

Attention

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Dimercaptosuccinic acid ( DMSA of Engl. Dimercaptosuccinic acid) is an organic acid. In the meso- form, it forms water- soluble complexes with most of the heavy metals. This is used in all of chelation therapy by heavy metal poisoning ( Chemet ®, USA).

Reports that DMSA can cross the blood -brain barrier of mice appear to have no sound basis, as DMSA, the lipophilic property is missing, which is necessary for the passage of the blood -brain barrier. It is rapidly metabolized by the human body and excreted almost exclusively in the urine. Their half- life in blood is approximately 3.2 hours. Known side effects are skin rashes, disorders of the digestive tract and in some cases neutropenia. Nevertheless, DMSA is considered the most tolerable of the dimercapto chelating agents.

Isomerism

The dimercaptosuccinic acid contains two substituted by the same radicals stereocenters, so there are three stereoisomers: the (2R, 3R)- form, this mirror-image (2S, 3S )-form and its diastereomeric meso form. In the meso- form of the stereo centers (R) - and the other ( S) configuration.

Use

As a complexing agent for the radioactive technetium isotope 99mTc DMSA is also used in medical diagnostics (eg when urogram ).

In acute heavy metal poisoning with mercury, lead or arsenic DMSA or DMPS also be used as part of chelation therapy in infusion solutions and here are the drug of choice; are chronic heavy metal poisoning - with the exception of lead poisoning in childhood - but not yet sufficient data for meaningful use before.