Effect of Chromium(VI) on Serum Iron and Removal of its Toxicity by Combining Deferasirox and Deferiprone Chelators in Rats

The present research is aimed to characterize the potential efficiency of two chelators after chromium(VI) administration for 60 days following two doses of 15 and 30 mg kg-1 chromium(VI) per body weight daily to male rats. However, the hypothesis that the two chelators might be more efficient as combined therapy than as single therapy in removing chromium(VI) from bood serum was considered. In this way, two known chelators deferasirox and deferiprone were chosen and tested in the acute rat model. Two chelators were given orally as a single or combined therapy for a period of one week. Chromium(VI) and iron concentrations in blood were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy method. Chromium is one of the most widely used industrial metals. Several million workers worldwide are estimated to be exposed to chromium compounds in an array of industries. Chromium(VI) is more readily absorbed by both inhalation and oral routes. Ingestion of large amounts of chromium(VI) can lead to severe respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic and renal damage and potentially death. The combined chelation therapy results show that deferasirox and deferiprone are able to remove chromium(VI) ions from bood while iron concentration returned to the normal level and symptoms are also decreased.