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

METHODThe 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.

RESULTThe 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.

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