DIHYDROXYPROPYL BISMUTHATE: EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF A NEW BISMUTH COMPOUND

¹ From the Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, State University of Iowa

(1) The preparation and properties are described of dihydroxypropyl bismuthate, a pentavalent, electronegative bismuth combination, forming neutral aqueous solutions and stable in the fluids of the body.

(2) Toxicity studies reveal it to be relatively nontoxic orally and within range of toxicity established for other water soluble bismuth compounds intramuscularly. Injected intramuscularly in physiological saline, 32 mgm. bismuth is about the minimum lethal dose for rats.

(3) Metabolic studies of continued administration of dihydroxypropyl bismuthate indicates that absorption, distribution and excretion of bismuth results without demonstrable tissue damage.

Clinical studies are being carried out at the present time in the Department of of Dermatology, State University of Iowa Hospitals. The diuretic activity is being studied in the Department of Internal Medicine.