Abstract: Objective To establish a method for detecting plasma concentration of corn polysaccharide iron complex (CPIC) and
investigate its absorption, distribution and elimination in rats. Methods Using radioactivity isotope tracing method, we
detected the radioactivity of 59Fe-CPIC in the plasma of rats at different time points by gavages of 3 doses (28.0, 14.0, and 7.0
mg/kg) 59Fe-CPIC in SD rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters was obtained using DAS 2.0 program for analysis of tissue
distribution and elimination of 59Fe-CPIC. Results The standard curve was linear within the range of 0.14-141 μg/ml (r=0.9999,
n=5). The average recovery was 95% with a relative standard deviation no more than 15%. The pharmacokinetic parameters at
3 doses obtained, namely t1/2 and AUC (0-∞), were 214±104, 231±110, and 181±81 min, and 1986.3±513.3, 737.0±467.0, and
315.1 ± 226.1 mg·min-1·L-1, respectively. 59Fe-CPIC were detected in all the 13 tissues types examined and high radioactivity
intensity was found in the gastrointestinal tract, hematogenic organs and other organs rich in blood. 59Fe-CPIC was eliminated
after intragastric administration primarily via the feces in rats. Conclusion The method we established is easy and specific,
and the pharmacokinetic parameters of 59Fe-CPIC fit the two- compartment open model.