Go to main DMSA page DMSA forms metal complexes by coordination of the thiolate and/or carboxylic acid groups with a metal. It forms either a 2:1 or 2:2 DMSA-metal complex depending on the number of hydrogens ionized, the metal being complexed and the DMSA stereoisomer present. The diastereomers of DMSA exhibit different physical properties when forming metal complexes. The rac-DMSA zinc complex shown above coordinates with zinc at one carboxylate group and both thiolate groups where as meso-DMSA shown below coordinates with both carboxylate groups and one thiolate group. This physical difference affects the formation constants for the metal complexes therefore, when using DMSA as a therapy, it must be considered that the racemic form will affect the diuresis of essential metal elements such as iron and zinc from the body more than the meso form.
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Fang, X., and Fernando,Q. (1994) Conformations of Zinc Chelates of meso- and rac-2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid in Aqueous Solution. Chem. Res. Toxicol. 7:882-890.
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