Abstract
Sodium aurothiomalate has been used for many years in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The metabolism of gold compounds has been studied extensively but little information derived from mathematical analysis of serum concentration data is available. In human subjects the retention of gold in the body has been claimed to conform to a two-compartment open model; the fall of serum gold concentration after administration of sodium aurothiomalate is biexponential. An initial rapid phase during the first 36 hours is followed by a slow phase with an apparent half-life of approximately five days. In the present study we have quantitatively examined the disposition of gold in the rat following a single subcutaneous injection of sodium aurothiomalate.