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The clearance of manganese chloride in the primate

M C Newland1, C Cox, R Hamada

  • 1Division of Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York 14642.

Insights

Manganese-54 inhalation in macaques showed prolonged retention in the head, with slow clearance and replenishment. Fecal excretion revealed distinct short and long elimination phases.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Radioactive Isotope Kinetics
  • Primate Physiology

Background:

  • Understanding the toxicokinetics of inhaled radioactive metals is crucial for risk assessment.
  • Manganese (Mn) is an essential element, but excessive exposure can lead to neurological deficits.
  • Radioactive isotopes like Manganese-54 (54Mn) are used to study Mn metabolism and distribution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the absorption, distribution, and excretion kinetics of inhaled Manganese-54 (54Mn) in macaques.
  • To determine the long-term retention and clearance rates of 54Mn in different tissues, particularly the head.
  • To compare the toxicokinetics of acute inhalation exposure versus continuous subcutaneous exposure to 54Mn.

Main Methods:

  • Two macaques inhaled trace amounts of 54MnCl2 for 30 minutes.
  • Radioactivity in the chest, head, and feces was monitored for over a year post-inhalation.
  • A third macaque received continuous 54Mn exposure via a subcutaneous osmotic pump for six weeks.

Main Results:

  • Chest radioactivity decay required a sum of three exponential terms with half-lives from 0.2 to 187 days.
  • Head 54Mn levels peaked at 40 days post-inhalation and remained elevated for over a year.
  • Fecal excretion followed two exponential phases: one with a half-life <1 day and another with a 50-60 day half-life.
  • Subcutaneous 54Mn exposure led to faster head clearance compared to inhalation.
  • Fecal elimination patterns were similar for both exposure routes.

Conclusions:

  • Inhaled 54Mn exhibits prolonged retention in the macaque head, influenced by slow disappearance and potential replenishment from other body depots.
  • The kinetic data suggest complex distribution and elimination pathways for inhaled manganese.
  • Continuous subcutaneous exposure offers a different kinetic profile for head manganese clearance compared to acute inhalation.

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