Studies on absorption and excretion of organic lead compounds: Part 2. The absorption and excretion of tetramethyllead and mixed alkyl lead

The relationship between absorption and excretion of tetramethylled and mixed alkyl lead was studied on rabbits. Tetramethyllead was given subcutaneously 14mg (as Pb, diluted with olive oill) every other day for 15 days and mixed alkyl lead was given 15mg every other day for 19 days. In this study the transition of lead concentrations in blood, urine and feces was determined. Tissue distribution after eight or ten weeks' lead administration was also determined. Results of experiments are summerized as follows: 1) The increase of lead concentrations in blood was very rapid. After discontinuance of lead administration, it decreased very rapidly. 2) Excretion of lead increased rapidly in urine, but it was somewhat slow in feces. There was always more lead in feces than in urine. 3) About the lead amounts in tissues, there was more in the liver and kidneys, and less in the spleen and bones in comparison to other tissues. 4) The excretion of coproporphyrin in urine was lower in tetramethyllead groups than in mixed alkyl lead groups. 5) It was thought that tetramethylled and mixed alkyl lead have similar effect on blood. However, their affinity to various tissues may be different.