In vivo distribution of arsenic after i.p. injection of arsonoliposomes in balb-c mice

Int J Pharm. 2005 Jan 31;289(1-2):151-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2004.11.002. Epub 2004 Dec 19.

Abstract

We recently showed that arsonoliposomes (novel arsenic containg liposomes) demonstrate differential toxicity towards various types of cancer and normal cells, in cell culture studies, as well as anti-parasitic activity. In this study, the in-vivo distribution of the active moiety of these vesicles, As, is evaluated. Sonicated arsonoliposomes were prepared using the arsonolipid with palmitic acid acyl chain (C16) mixed with egg-phosphatidyl choline (PC) and cholesterol (Chol) [C16/PC/Chol at 8:12:10 mol/mol/mol]. A dose of arsonoliposomes, corresponding to 5 mg arsenate/kg was administered by intraperitoneal injection in balb-c mice. At various time points post-injection the mice were sacrificed and the distribution of As in the organs was measured, by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results demonstrate that a high portion of the dose administered is rapidly excreted; since 1-h post-injection only about 30% of the dose administered was detected cumulatively in the animal tissues. After this the elimination of arsenic was a slow process with a total body elimination rate constant of 0.023 h(-1), corresponding to a half-life of 30 h. Tissues with the highest arsenic concentration during the study period are: spleen-kidneys-stomach, followed by lung, liver, intestines-heart, carcass+skin and finally blood. No acute toxicity, or effect on the body or organ weight of the mice was observed.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arsenicals / administration & dosage*
  • Arsenicals / metabolism
  • Arsenicals / pharmacology
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods
  • Female
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal*
  • Liposomes
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Distribution / drug effects*

Substances

  • Arsenicals
  • Liposomes