EFFECTS OF OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS ON CHROMIUM(51) RETENTION AND URINARY-EXCRETION IN RATS

Effects of five over-the-counter drugs on retention and urinary excretion of (51)chromium from (51)chromium chloride ((CrCl3)-Cr-51) were evaluated using adult female rats. In addition to the control group dosed with distilled water (pH 7.89), groups were dosed with vitamin C (5 mg, pH 2.76), Tums Registered trademark (40 mg, pH 9.72), Maalox Plus Registered trademark (40 mg, pH 8.39), aspirin (40 mg, pH 2.74) or Bufferin Registered trademark (40 mg, pH 8.73). After a 12 h fast, the drugs were administered by gastric intubation (0.5 ml) followed immediately by an oral dose of (CrCl3)-Cr-51 (55 uCi) in 0.14 M HCl (50 ul). Blood was sampled from the tail at 0.75, 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 h. Urine samples were composited at 3, 6, and 12 h and tissues were sampled at 12 h. (51)Chromium in blood, urine and tissues was higher (p < 0.0001) in the aspirin group than in all other groups. The group dosed with Maalox had lower (p < 0.0001) Cr-51 in blood, urine and tissues than the other groups. Increased Cr-51 absorption in the aspirin group and decreased Cr-51 absorption in the Maalox group did not appear to be mediated solely by pH. Potential effects of long-term use of aspirin or antacids on Cr status need evaluation because over-the-counter drugs altered. Cr absorption in this study.