Disposition and clearance of tungsten after single-dose oral and intravenous exposure in rodents

J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2007 May 15;70(10):829-36. doi: 10.1080/15287390701211762.

Abstract

Tungsten (W) has been nominated for study to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) because of reported associations between concentrations of W in drinking water and childhood leukemia. The disposition of W (administered as sodium tungstate dihydrate in water) in plasma, liver, kidneys, uterus, femur, and intestine of rodents (Sprague-Dawley rats and C57BL/6N mice) was characterized after exposures by oral gavage (1, 10, or 100 mg/kg) or intravenous (1 mg/kg) administration. Each tissue (or plasma) was collected and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry at 1, 2, 4, or 24 h after dose administration. W was observed in plasma and all tissues after both gavage and i.v. administration. In rats, concentrations in plasma and most tissues peaked at 4 h. In mice, concentrations in plasma and most tissues peaked at 1 h. Although the amount of W in each matrix decreased significantly by 24 h, there was W remaining in several tissues, especially at the higher doses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Half-Life
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Tungsten / administration & dosage
  • Tungsten / pharmacokinetics*
  • Tungsten / toxicity*

Substances

  • Tungsten