The Effect of Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic Acid (DTPA) on Acceleration of Excretion of Actinide Elements

This study was set up to determine by whole-body counting the effectiveness of DTPA in hastening the excretion of americium (a) when the drug was given orally as compared to parenteral administration, (b) when treatment was delayed after various periods of time, and (c) when the radioisotope was deposited in the lungs. The experiment was stopped after 50 days. Oral treatment, while not as effective as parenteral treatment, was still surprisingly effective. The drug did significantly lower the body burden of the radioisotope deposited in the lungs.