Succimer

Product Name: meso-2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid,DMSA,Dimercaptosuccinic Acid,2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid 

Cas No.: 304-55-2;2418-14-6 

Molecular Formula: C4H6O4S2

Molecular Weight:2.2033         

Appearance:white crystalline powder

Usage:Used as antidotes of heavy metal and health protection medication

Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), is the organosulfur compound with the formula HO2CCH(SH)CH(SH)CO2H. This colorless solid contains two carboxylic acid and two thiol groups, the latter being responsible for its mildly unpleasant odour. It occurs in two diastereomers, meso and the chiral dl forms. The meso isomer is used as a chelating agent. The acid is most often used as a treatment for heavy metal toxicity, and is a water-soluble and non-toxic substance.

Dimercaptosuccinic acid (CHEMET) is indicated for the treatment of lead poisoning in children with blood level measured above 45 μg/dL. The use of DMSA is not approved for prophylactic/prevention of lead poisoning in anticipation of exposure in known lead contaminated environments. Its elimination half-life is 2.5-3.5 h. DMSA can cross the blood–brain barrier of mice,but not that of humans, limiting its use to extracting heavy metals from parts of the body other than the central nervous system.

Another application for DMSA is for provocation of tissue heavy metals in anticipation of a urine test. This is sometimes called a "challenge" or "provoked" heavy metals test. DMSA is used to help mobilize heavy metals stored in body tissues (and therefore not typically present in the circulation) and increase the excretion of heavy metals in the urine. In a study by Howard Frumkin et al., this sort of test was shown to not reliably provide an indication of past chronic mercury exposure, something it was often used for.A 2004 study by GP Archbold, et al. called the results of a DMSA challenge test "misleading" for the purposes of diagnosing mercury toxicity.Moreover, DMSA share the limitation of extracellular distribution, which makes it unable to cross the cell membrane and chelate heavy metals from intracellular sites.