Effect of Calcium Salt of Versene upon Metabolism of Plutonium in the Rat.∗

Conclusion 1. Oral administration of Versene in the rat at a toxic range did not produce a marked depletion of plutonium in soft tissues and had but little effect upon skeletal content. 2. When given parenterally large amounts of Versene depleted the skeletal content to a significant degree. 3. Under these conditions the absorption of plutonium from the intramuscular site of injection was increased. 4. These experiments indicate that it would appear that the use of Versene in chronic human plutonium poisoning offers little promise. 5. The prompt administration of Versene in large amounts might conceivably be of benefit when plutonium has entered the body by cuts or abrasions.