Tungsten determination in rat and dog plasma samples by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry: Application to preclinical pharmacokinetic studies

This paper describes an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometric method for the analysis of tungsten in dog and rat plasma. Calibration curves were obtained in the range 134–1300 ng/ml. The relative standard deviation ranged from 0.4 to 17%, and accuracy was between 89 and 105%. Dilution has no influence on the performance of the method which could then be used to quantitate plasma samples containing up to 90 μg/ml. The limit of quantification was 100 ng/ml, at this level, the average relative standard deviation was 17%. The results obtained indicate that the method described for assaying tungsten in plasma samples fulfills the accuracy and precision requirements necessary to carry out pharmacokinetic studies. This method was used to determine pharmacokinetic parameters in rats and dogs.