Amidoxime functionalized chitosan for uranium sequestration in vivo.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Toxicology
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Uranium contamination poses significant health risks.
• Effective in vivo uranium chelation therapy is crucial for mitigating toxicity.
• Chitosan derivatives show promise as biocompatible chelating agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate amidoxime functionalized chitosan (AC) as a chelator for in vivo uranium sequestration.
• To explore the structure-activity relationship of AC in uranium removal.
• To compare the efficacy and biocompatibility of AC with ZnNa3-DTPA.

Main Methods:

• In vivo administration of amidoxime functionalized chitosan (AC) to assess uranium removal.
• Comparison of AC with ZnNa3-DTPA (a commercial uranium mobilization drug).
• Quantification of uranium deposition in kidneys and femurs post-treatment.

Main Results:

• AC demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and high uranium removal efficiency via injection and oral administration.
• AC reduced uranium deposition in kidneys by up to 43.6% and in femurs by up to 32.3%.
• AC retained significant uranium mobilization capacity even when administered 72 hours post-exposure.

Conclusions:

• Amidoxime functionalized chitosan (AC) is a promising biocompatible chelator for in vivo uranium sequestration.
• AC offers a potentially superior alternative to existing uranium mobilization therapies.
• Delayed administration of AC remains effective, offering therapeutic flexibility.