Stout P R, Ruth J A
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Molecular Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences, Denver, Colorado 80262, USA.
Drug Metab Dispos. 1999 Jun;27(6):731-5.
Microautoradiography was employed to show that association of drugs from the serum directly with forming hair pigment is a primary pathway of deposition into the hair. After systemic administration of [3H]flunitrazepam, [3H]nicotine, and [3H]cocaine, association of all three drugs with melanin in the forming hair was observed within minutes of dosage. Sebum was determined to be an insignificant deposition route for all three drugs. Pigmented mice had significantly higher concentrations of all three drugs than did nonpigmented mice. The results provide a better basis for ultimately using hair for reliable analysis of drug and environmental toxin exposure.
