Comparative studies on the distribution of gold, copper and zinc in the livers and kidneys of rats and hamsters after treatment with sodium [195Au]-aurothiomalate.

The distribution of gold, copper and zinc in the livers and kidneys of female rats and hamsters was determined after intraperitoneal injection of sodium [195Au]-aurothiomalate. After five doses of sodium [195Au]-aurothiomalate (1 mg Au(I) per kg body weight), the hepatic and renal concentrations of Au were greater in rats than in hamsters. In the former species, treatment with the Au(I)-compound led to an increase in the Cu-concentration of the kidney and to the synthesis of a (Cu, Au)-metallothionein. In either species binding of Au to the hepatic metallothionein was insignificant. The renal (Cu, Au)-metallothionein from the sodium [195Au]-aurothiomalate-treated rat appeared to be extremely heterogeneous and was resolved into at least four components on ion exchange chromatography.