Summary: Serum gold levels estimated in the course of therapy with gold sodium thiomalate were found to be closely related to dose and patient body weight. Maximum information was obtained from gold levels estimated on blood samples taken the day before and at 24 hours after gold administration. Serum gold levels did not reflect tissue concentrations, but provided a consistent parameter of gold metabolism during long term therapy. Individual differences in gold metabolism were apparent in serum levels estimated three weeks or more after administration.

An atomic absorption spectrophotometric method is described for estimating gold in diluted serum. Matrix effects are compensated by adding protein to the working standards.

An atomic absorption method is described wher~by the. gold excreted i~the~rine of patients undergoing chrysotherapy can be estimated. Gold IS precipitated as t~lIunde, d!ssolved In aqua regia, and extracted into methyl isobutyl ketone for estimation by atomic absorption spectroscopy using graphite furnace atomization.

An atomic absorption spectrophotometric method is described for estimating gold in the urine of patients undergoing chelation therapy. Variable absorption at 242.8 nm, not due to gold, is avoided by wet-ashing and extraction of gold into methyl isobutyl ketone.

No abstract