The use of a multitracer technique for the studies of the uptake and retention of trace elements in rats

The uptake by, and distribution and retention of radioactive isotopes in various organs of Wistar rats were examined using the multitracer technique. A hydrocholoric acid solution (pH 3) of a carrier-free radioactive multitracer was prepared from gold foil irradiated with a 14N beam of 135 MeV nucleon. The solution was administered orally to 12 7-week-old male rats. Urine and faeces were collected and each group of three rats was killed at 1, 2, 3 or 6 days after administration. The percentage of administered dose of the 17 elements, Mn, Co, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Y, Eu, Gd, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, W, Re, Ir and Pt in the organs blood and excreta were determined using γ-ray spectrometry. Each element revealed its characteristic distribution among the different organs, including the blood. These results are discussed and compared with those of single-tracer experiments, and the advantages of the multitracer technique are presented.