Heavy Metals
Current knowledge of the chemistry of zinc, copper, and gold is reviewed and metallothionines, present in all tissues, could be regulated by trace amounts of metal ions, and this in turn might explain the mode of action of metal containing drugs.
Abstract
The fourth annual day conference in the series 'Growing Points in the Treatment of Arthritis' was held at the Granby Hotel, Harrogate, on 7 April 1983. It was devoted to the topic 'Heavy Metals and Arthritis' and attracted an audience of about 100, both physicians and chemists. Professor Verna Wright and Dr Howard Bird acted as chairmen. Dr P. J. Sadler (Department of Chemistry, Birkbeck College, University of London) reviewed current knowledge of the chemistry of zinc, copper, and gold. Metals are far from the inert structures envisaged by some physicians. The reactivity of the metal or metallic ion is an amalgam of the charge present on the ion, the co-ordination geometry, and its mobility in biological systems. In addition, consideration had to be given to other elements such as the sulphur atom present in D-penicillamine and the potential for reduction or oxidation in the tissues. Metals in drugs were in equilibrium with metal-containing enzymes such as cytochrome oxidase (which contains copper), and these enzymes could exist in a variety of forms. The synthesis of metallothionines, present in all tissues, could be regulated by trace amounts of metal ions such as Ca", Zn+, and Au... and this in turn might explain the mode of action of metal containing drugs.