ABSTRACT
Objective Quantitative analysis of four arsenic species As (III), As (V), monomethyl arsenate (MMA), dimethyl arsenate (DMA) in rat serum, liver, kidney, and spleen was performed to compare their differences between realgar and realgar nanoparticles (NPs) groups. Methods SD rats were ig treated with blank solvent, realgar, and realgar NPs (800 mg/kg) respectively. After 28 d of continuous administration, serum and tissues were collected and four arsenic species were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). Results Four arsenic species were detected in serum and kidney of rats, three were detected in the liver and two in the spleen. The content of arsenic species in the realgar NPs group was significantly higher than that in the realgar group. Conclusion Nanotechnology enhanced the bioavailability of realgar, and more arsenic was absorbed into the body and underwent metabolic transformation, which might lead to increased toxicity of realgar NPs.