Removal of Radiopaque Organic Iodine from Serum Hormonal Iodine—Use of Blau's Reagent Coupled with Countercurrent Distribution

Abstract

By treatment with a combination of Blau's reagent and countercurrent distribution, serum hormonal iodine can be separated from iodinated compounds used for x-ray contrast and the metabolites of such dyes. The regular procedure for BEI is first tried on samples containing such materials. Countercurrent distribution, either a short procedure with a small manual machine or a 200-tube procedure with an automatic machine, is used where the BEI procedure is inadequate. The solvent system used is secbutanol: 3.7% (wt) aqueous ammonia, 1:1. All samples for countercurrent distribution are treated with Blau's solution. Some correlation between chemical structure and successful purification procedures is noted; the oils such as Lipiodol are removed more easily than the usual aromatic iodinated compounds which are closer chemically to theodothyronines. Evidence for formation of metabolites and decomposition products or both is found in the case of Cholografin methylglucamine, Telepaque and Lipiodol by countercurrent distribution. Data concerning absorption of Ethiodol and Pantopaque from injection sites, showing a gradual increase in concentration of these substances in the blood, are presented. Evaluation of other methods (DEAE cellulose and Dowex-1 columns and 2-dimensional paper chromatography) is also reported.