[Toxicokinetics and tissue distribution study of arsenic in realgar].

Objective: To study the toxicokinetics and tissue distribution of total arsenic after giving different doses realgar to rats.

Method: The concentration of arsenic in blood, urine and main organs were determined after single oral administration of 3.738, 1.869, 0.935 g x kg(-1) realgar in rats.

Result: The distribution half life (t(1/2 alpha)) and elimination half life (t(1/2 beta)) of total arsenic were 7.73 h and 17.21 h respectively in high dose group. The apparent distribution volume (Vd) were 10.8, 5.6, 3.9 L x kg(-1) respectively, the total clearance (Cltot) were 0.437, 0.16, 0.111 L x h(-1) x kg(-1) respectively in the three groups. The excretion of total urine arsenic got rid of 5.5%-13.0% of realgar which given to rats in 96 hours. Arsenic could be detected distributing into rat's main organs and tissues after administration of a single dose. Suprarenal gland, bladder and ovary accumulated most of the arsenic, while liver, spleen, lung and kidney accumulated less. Heart, brain, stomach and testis accumulated the least amount.

Conclusion: It has nonlinear dynamics in the body of rats in toxic doses as the kinetics of realgar was changed according to the dosage.