|
There is still controversy whether chitosan. a natural Polymer can be absorbed through gastrointestinal(GI) tract. We hypothesized that chitosan could be absorbed through GI tract. The purpose of this study was to compare the distribution of orally or intravenously administered 14C-chitosan in mice. Male mice (aged 8 to 10 weeks, body weight of 30 to 35 g) of ICR strain were used in this study. 14C -chitosan was diluted to 0.691 MBq/ml with distilled water, and was given either orally(0.5 ml) or intravenously(0.3 ml). After the administration of 14C -chitosan, mice were sacrificed at the 6th hour, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days. Beta Radio-activities in the blood, liver, kidney, liver, muscle, testis, and urine were measured using a liquid scintillation counter. More than 95% of given 14C -chitosan were excreted through urine within 6 hours whether it was given orally or intravenously. Biodistribution of 14C -chitosan was similar despite the difference of administration route. Liver, kidney and spleen showed relatively higher radioactivities. Therefore we concluded that chitosan could be absorbed through GI tract and excreted into urine.
|