Fate of the antimetastatic ruthenium complex ImH [trans-RuCl4(DMSO)Im] after acute i.v. treatment in mice

The content of ruthenium in blood and different organs of healthy CBA mice was determined by AAS after single I i.v. treatment of 200 mg kg(-1) of NAM I-A, a new antimetastatic ruthenium compound. Ruthenium concentration in bl ood falls 5 min after i.v. treatment. In the kidney, ruthenium concentratio n is markedly higher than in any other analysed tissue. No ruthenium was de tected in brains. Pharmacokinetic parameters for a mono- or a bi-compartmen t model are identifiable: t(1/2) is 10.45 h vs 12.02 (t(1/2)a 0.023 h + t(1 /2)beta 12 h) with Cl-tot of 1.60 ml*h(-1) vs 1.59); Vd is 24.15 vs 27.48 m l and (model dependent) I AUC is 689 vs 694 mg*L-1*h. AUC((0-->infinity)) c alculated by noncompartmental method (linear trapezoidal rule) is 719.77 mg *L-1*h. NAMI-A is rapidly cleared from the blood compartment immediately af ter i.v. administration. Apparently: there is no differential accumulation of ruthenium in the lungs which might account for a selective antimetastati c effect caused by a cytotoxic concentration in this site, nor in any other specific organ examined.