Distribution and toxicity of 5-fluorouracil after intraperitoneal and anal submucosal administration.

The correlation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) distribution and its toxicity had been investigated in Albino rats. H3-5-FU was administrated either by intraperitoneal (I.P.) or anal submucosal (A.sm.) route. 5-FU was promptly distributed in different organs with marked accumulation in the pelvic area after A.sm. and in liver and kidney after I.P. administration. Acute toxicity (L.D. 50) was stronger after I.P. (63 mg/kg compared with 80 mg/kg after A.sm.). Side effects expressed in elevation of transaminase and alkaline phosphatase and increase in liver tissue glucose-6-phosphatase and total white blood count were much pronounced after I.P. administration. The results suggest the possibility of using A.sm. route for administration.