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Distribution of uranium in rats implanted with depleted uranium pellets
T C Pellmar1, A F Fuciarelli, J W Ejnik
1Radiation Pathophysiology and Toxicology Department, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20889-5603, USA. tpellmar@nas.edu
Summary
Depleted uranium (DU) fragments accumulate in rat kidneys and bones, serving as primary reservoirs. Chronic exposure also led to uranium in other tissues, indicating potential long-term health risks.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Environmental Health
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- Soldiers injured with depleted uranium (DU) fragments during the Persian Gulf War face potential chronic health risks.
- Understanding the long-term biodistribution and physiological consequences of embedded DU fragments is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the health risks associated with chronic exposure to depleted uranium (DU) fragments.
- To determine the primary tissue reservoirs and excretion pathways of uranium following implantation.
Main Methods:
- Sprague Dawley rats were surgically implanted with DU pellets at low, medium, and high doses.
- Control rats received inert tantalum pellets.
- Uranium levels in various tissues and urine were measured using kinetic phosphorimetry at multiple time points up to 18 months post-implantation.
Main Results:
- Kidney and tibia showed the highest uranium concentrations from 1 day to 18 months post-implantation.
- Uranium levels in kidney and bone were significantly elevated in high-dose rats compared to controls.
- Significant uranium excretion in urine was observed throughout the 18-month study period.
- Accumulations of uranium were also detected in muscle, spleen, liver, heart, lung, brain, lymph nodes, and testicles.
Conclusions:
- Kidney and bone are the primary organs for uranium accumulation from embedded DU fragments.
- The presence of uranium in tissues like the brain, lymph nodes, and testicles suggests potential for unforeseen physiological effects from this exposure route.