Oral administration of radioactive sulfate to measure extracellular fluid space in man

Abstract

Radioactive sulfate-35 (35S) was administered to eight human subjects intravenously and orally, to compare respective kinetics of distribution. Intravenously administered 35S attained equilibration within 60–90 min. Orally administered 35S attained equilibration within 60–105 min and thereafter achieved plasma activity equivalent to the intravenously administered tracer. Eighty percent or greater of the 35S dose was recovered in the 24-h urine, following either intravenous or oral administration. The mean extracellular fluid space demonstrated less than 9% mean difference between routes of administration. It is concluded that 35S is completely absorbed at tracer doses, and may be administered orally as a reliable substitute for intravenously administered 35S for measuring extracellular fluid space.