Studies of the intestinal metabolism of oral gold

• Published in: Journal of rheumatology Vol. 7; no. 5; p. 633
• Main Authors: Weisman, M H, Hardison, W G, Walz, D T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada 01.09.1980
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Adult; Auranofin; Aurothioglucose - administration & dosage; Aurothioglucose - analogs & derivatives; Aurothioglucose - therapeutic use; Gold - analogs & derivatives; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism; Intestine, Small - metabolism; Male; Middle Aged; Perfusion; Phosphines - administration & dosage; Phosphines - therapeutic use; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0315-162X

In order to understand some of the unique toxic/therapeutic properties of the orally administered gold containing compound auranofin, the intestinal metabolism of gold was studied in 4 normal subjects. A triple lumen intestinal perfusion apparatus was used to measure intestinal flux using a non-absorbable radiolabelled marker dilution technique. Over a short (50 cm) segment of proximal small bowel, substantial disappearance of gold was observed; the findings, however, were most consistent with a loose, reversible adsorption onto the enteric cell surface rather than true trans-mucosal absorption. There was no evidence for an entero-hepatic recirculation of gold in these subjects or in 4 additional patients with rheumatoid arthritis studied in a similar manner.