The absorption kinetics of orally administered strontium chloride and its reproducibility were investigated in healthy volunteers after administering strontium either under fasting conditions (study I, n = 8) or in combination with a standardized meal (study II, n = 8). Each subject received strontium orally at day 0, 14, and 28 and intravenously at day 42. The study was performed as part of a project in which a simple clinical test for measuring intestinal calcium absorption is being developed, based on the use of stable strontium as a marker. 2. Plasma strontium concentration-time curves were analysed by noncompartment analysis and a four compartment disposition model. Within a volunteer each oral curve was fitted simultaneously with the intravenous curve, by which means a two segment model for absorption was revealed. 3. Mean absolute bioavailability of strontium was 25% without a meal and 19% with a meal, whereas the intraindividual variation was 24% and 20%, respectively. 4. Various limited sampling absorption parameters were determined in order to select a potential test parameter for measuring intestinal calcium absorption using strontium as a marker. Fractional absorption at 4 h (Fc240), obtained after co-ingestion of strontium with a meal, appeared to be the best test parameter, because it represented bioavailability well (r = 0.90).
