The Metabolism and Excretion of Hydroxyethyl Starch in the Rat

Abstract

1. The metabolism and excretion of oral doses of [1,2-¹⁴C]hydroxyethyl starch has been investigated in the rat.

2. Approximately 60% of an oral dose appears in faeces, 20% in expired CO₂ and 15% in urine after 96 h. Intravenous doses are not excreted in bile. Parenteral doses are almost completely excreted in urine after 24 h.

3. The urinary metabolites from oral and parenteral doses are 6-O-hydroxyethylglucose and oligomers from hydrolysis of hydroxyethyl starch. No labelled oxalic acid was detected in urine.

4. The production of labelled CO₂ after an oral dose of [¹⁴C]hydroxyethyl starch may be mediated by the gut flora.