Comparative absorption of bismuth in Sprague-Dawley rats following oral administration of preparations containing bismuth sucrose octasulfate, bismuth subsalicylate, and bismuth subcitrate.

The absorption of bismuth from De-Nol (bismuth subcitrate, DN), Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate, PB) and bismuth sucrose octasulfate (BISOS) was examined in male Sprague-Dawley rats after a single oral dose of each compound (60mg bismuth). Bismuth was analysed in blood, urine, kidney, brain, liver, and lung using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Bismuth Cmax averaged 18.4 +/- 11.6 ng mL(-1) for BISOS, 292 +/- 130 ng mL(-1) for DN, and 21.5 +/- 9.63 ng mL(-1 ) for PB. Cmax was significantly lower for BISOS compared to DN (p<0.05) but not significantly different for BISOS compared to PB (p > 0.05). Bismuth AUC was 1356 +/- 474 ng h(-1) mL (-1) for BISOS, 2129 +/- 452 ng h(-l) mL(-1) for DN, and 1824 +/- 919 ng h(-1) for PB, which indicated a lower extent of absorption from BISOS compared to DN. Kidney, liver, and lung levels of bismuth were also significantly lower for BISOS compared to DN (p < 0.05). Bismuth urinary excretion was significantly lower for BISOS (0.04 +/- 0.02%) compared to DN (0.27 +/- 0.15%) but not significantly different compared to PB (0.07 +/- 0.03%). These data suggest that the absorption of bismuth following oral administration of bismuth sucrose octasulfate is significantly lower than that from De-Nol and similar to that from Pepto-Bismo.