Effect of Chlorothiazide on Cesium-137 Excretion in Human Subjects

The therapeutic value of the diuretic, chlorothiazide (Diuril), in reducing the body burden of cesium-137 in human subjects was investigated. Two subjects were given chlorothiazide, 2 g./day, following a single oral intake of cesium-137. The urinary excretion and the per cent retention of cesium-137 were compared with similar data obtained from two control subjects. Although chlorothiazide produced a marked potassium diuresis, it had no significant effect in reducing the body burden of cesium.Analysis was made of the rate of turnover of cesium and potassium in the two control subjects, who were followed up for 320 days. The biological half-lives, T_b, of K were 42 and 41 days. In both subjects a small fraction of the cesium-137 was rapidly excreted. The remainder (88% and 83% in the two cases) was excreted at a slower constant rate. The concentrations further decreased to 44% and 41.5% in 90 and 155 days, respectively.