PMID: 8988309Oct 1, 1996Paper

The importance of 2,3-dimercaptopropinol (British anti-lewisite, BAL) in the trypanocidal activity of topical melarsoprol

Acta Tropica
F W JenningsM Murray

Abstract

Both melarsomine dichlorhydrate (mel Cy, Cymelarsan) and melarsen oxide can be dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide and converted into a gel by the addition of hydroxypropylcellulose. When Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infected mice are treated topically with these gels the circulating trypanosomes are rapidly cleared from the circulation but the infections relapse soon after the last application. However, when these two compounds are allowed to react with 2,3-dimercaptopropinol (British anti-lewisite, BAL) and form "melarsoprol" their efficacy, especially in the case of mel Cy, is restored to that of commercial melarsoprol (Arsobal) and trypanosomes in the central nervous system (CNS) can be eliminated. This would indicate that the dimercaptopropinol portion of the molecule does not act solely as an "antidote" to arsenic toxicity, but also plays an important role in the absorption of melarsoprol through the skin and/or blood-brain barrier into the CNS and/or into the trypanosome.

References

Jan 1, 1995·Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·J PépinP De Wals
Sep 1, 1993·Acta Tropica·F W Jennings
Jun 1, 1994·Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·B J Berger, A H Fairlamb
Sep 1, 1995·Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·J M AtouguiaM Murray

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Citations

Dec 1, 2006·Advances in Parasitology·Michael P Barrett, Ian H Gilbert
Aug 1, 1998·The Physician and Sportsmedicine·T W WangB R Bach

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