A physiological pharmacokinetic model describing the disposition of lead in the absence and presence of L-ascorbic acid in rats.

The influence of L-ascorbic acid (As-Ac) on the multiple-tissue disposition of lead has been evaluated. Lead concentrations in femur, liver, kidney and plasma of rats were monitored over a 120h period after its intravenous bolus administration (1.0 mg/kg) in the absence and presence of As-Ac at steady state. The observed lead concentration-time data in different tissues of the rats, in the absence and presence of As-Ac, have been simulated using a physiological pharmacokinetic modelling technique. In both cases, the predicted lead concentrations in various tissues were in adequate agreement with the observed data. The model developed in the present investigation supports the previous finding that As-Ac may be useful as a prophylactic agent for lead poisoning.