Behaviour of spherical and irregular (U,Pu)O2 particles after inhalation or intratracheal instillation in rat lung and during in vitro culture with bovine alveolar macrophages

Decorporation Approach after Rat Lung Contamination with Plutonium: Evaluation of the Key Parameters Influencing the Efficacy of a Protracted Chelation Treatment

While the efficacy of a protracted zinc (Zn)- or calcium (Ca)-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) treatment in reducing transuranic body burden has already been demonstrated, questions about therapeutic variables remain. In response to this, we designed animal experiments primarily to assess both the effect of fractionation of a given dose and the effect of the frequency of dose fraction, with the same total dose. In our study, rats were contaminated intravenously with plutonium (Pu) then treated several days later with Ca-DTPA given at once or in various split-dose regimens cumulating to the same total dose and spread over several days. Similar efficacies were induced by the injection of the total dose or by splitting the dose in several smaller doses, independent of the number of doses and the dose level per injection. In a second study, rats were pulmonary contaminated, and three weeks later they received a Ca-DTPA dose 11-fold higher than the maximal daily recommended dose, administered either as a single bolus or as numerous multiple injections cumulating to the same dose, based on different injection frequency schedules. Independent of frequency schedule, the various split-dose regimens spread over weeks/months were as efficient as single delivery of the total dose in mobilizing lung plutonium, and had a therapeutic advantage for removal of retained hepatic and bone plutonium burdens. We concluded that cumulative dose level was a therapeutic variable of greater importance than the distribution of split doses for the success of a repeated treatment regimen on retained tissue plutonium. In addition, pulmonary administration of clodronate, which aims at killing alveolar macrophages and subsequently releasing their plutonium content, and which is associated with a continuous Ca-DTPA infusion regimen, suggested that the efficacy of injected Ca-DTPA in decorporating lung deposit is limited, due to its restricted penetration into alveolar macrophages and not because plutonium, as a physicochemical form, is unavailable for chelation.

Macrophages as key elements of Mixed-oxide [U-Pu(O2)] distribution and pulmonary damage after inhalation?

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the consequences of alveolar macrophage (AM) depletion on Mixed OXide fuel (MOX: U, Pu oxide) distribution and clearance, as well as lung damage following MOX inhalation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were exposed to MOX by nose only inhalation. AM were depleted with intratracheal administration of liposomal clodronate at 6 weeks. Lung changes, macrophage activation, as well as local and systemic actinide distribution were studied up to 3 months post-inhalation.

RESULTS

Clodronate administration modified excretion/retention patterns of α activity. At 3 months post-inhalation lung retention was higher in clodronate-treated rats compared to Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS)-treated rats, and AM-associated α activity was also increased. Retention in liver was higher in clodronate-treated rats and fecal and urinary excretions were lower. Three months after inhalation, rats exhibited lung fibrotic lesions and alveolitis, with no marked differences between the two groups. Foamy macrophages of M2 subtype [inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) negative but galectin-3 positive] were frequently observed, in correlation with the accumulation of MOX particles. AM from all MOX-exposed rats showed increased chemokine levels as compared to sham controls.

CONCLUSION

Despite the transient reduced AM numbers in clodronate-treated animals no major differences on lung damage were observed as compared to non-treated rats after MOX inhalation. The higher lung activity retention in rats receiving clodronate seems to be part of a general inflammatory response and needs further investigation.

Absorption, accumulation and biological effects of depleted uranium in Peyer's patches of rats

The digestive tract is the entry route for radionuclides following the ingestion of contaminated food and/or water wells. It was recently characterized that the small intestine was the main area of uranium absorption throughout the gastrointestinal tract. This study was designed to determine the role played by the Peyer's patches in the intestinal absorption of uranium, as well as the possible accumulation of this radionuclide in lymphoid follicles and the toxicological or pathological consequences on the Peyer's patch function subsequent to the passage and/or accumulation of uranium. Results of experiments performed in Ussing chambers indicate that the apparent permeability to uranium in the intestine was higher (10-fold) in the mucosa than in Peyer's patches ((6.21+/-1.21 to 0.55+/-0.35)x10(-6)cm/s, respectively), demonstrating that the small intestinal epithelium was the preferential pathway for the transmucosal passage of uranium. A quantitative analysis of uranium by ICP-MS following chronic contamination with depleted uranium during 3 or 9 months showed a preferential accumulation of uranium in Peyer's patches (1355% and 1266%, respectively, at 3 and 9 months) as compared with epithelium (890% and 747%, respectively, at 3 and 9 months). Uranium was also detected in the mesenteric lymph nodes ( approximately 5-fold after contamination with DU). The biological effects of this accumulation of depleted uranium after chronic contamination were investigated in Peyer's patches. There was no induction of the apoptosis pathway after chronic DU contamination in Peyer's patches. The results indicate no change in the cytokine expression (Il-10, TGF-beta, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, MCP-1) in Peyer's patches and in mesenteric lymph nodes, and no modification in the uptake of yeast cells by Peyer's patches. In conclusion, this study shows that the Peyer's patches were a site of retention for uranium following the chronic ingestion of this radionuclide, without any biological consequences of such accumulation on Peyer's patch functions.

Comparative pulmonary toxicological assessment of oil combustion particles following inhalation or instillation exposure

Controversy persists regarding the validity of intratracheal instillation (IT) of particulate matter (PM) as a surrogate for inhalation exposure (IH) in rodents. Concerns center on dose, dose-rate, and distribution of material within the lung. Acute toxicity of a residual oil fly ash (ROFA) administered by IH was compared to those effects of a single IT bolus at an IH-equivalent dose. Male Sprague Dawley rats (60 days old) were exposed by nose-only IH to approximately 12 mg/m3 for 6 h. Inter-lobar dose distribution of ROFA, dissected immediately post exposure, was assayed by neutron activation. Vanadium and nickel were used as ROFA markers. IT administration of the IH-equivalent dose (110 microg) showed similar (<15%) interlobular distribution, with the exception of the inferior lobe dose (IT>IH approximately 25%). Evaluation of airway hyperreactivity (AHR), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) constituents, and histopathology was conducted at 24, 48, and 96 h post exposure. AHR in the IH group was minimally (p > 0.05) affected by treatment, but was significantly increased ( approximately 40%) at both 24 and 48 h post IT. Inflammation in both groups, as measured by alterations in BALF protein, lactate dehydrogenase and neutrophils, was virtually identical at all time points. Alveolitis and bronchial inflammation/epithelial hypertrophy were prominent 24 h following IT, but not apparent after IH. Conversely, alveolar hemorrhage, congestion, and airway exudate were pronounced at 48 h post-IH but not remarkable in the IT group. Thus, IT-ROFA mimicked IH in terms of lobar distribution and injury biomarkers over 96 h, while morphological alterations and AHR appeared to be more dependent on the method of administration.

The delayed respiratory consequences of inhaled radionuclides in population exposed to nuclear catastrophe

Cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and x-ray energy dispersive spectrometry of intercellular compounds were evaluated in 19 workers ("liquidators") commissioned to clean and contain the nuclear waste after the Chernobyl catastrophe in comparison with ten control subjects. Results showed a significant increase of neutrophils, small monocyte-like alveolar macrophages (AM) and AM with large black cytoplasmic inclusions. In addition, such mineral elements as Zr, Ce, Pr, Sm, Pa, PU and Cs were detected in AM phagosomes in liquidators. These elements were reported as markers of Chernobyl-type nuclear fuel. It is recognized that BAL gives access to particulate matter present in lung parenchyma. Thus, spectrometric analysis of AM inclusions can provide reliable information about the exposure to inhaled radionuclides seven years after the catastrophe.

The biological hazards of plutonium

The health hazards associated with exposure to low levels of plutonium are reviewed since, though the world may escape a nuclear war, there may be virtually permanent contamination of the biosphere by plutonium from a number of sources. It would seem that it is possible to offer workers in the nuclear industry an acceptable level of protection but that low levels of pollution around such sites may build up until there is a hazard for people in the vicinity. The cases of childhood leukaemia found in the vicinity of the Sellafield facility may or may not be related to contamination in the area; however, plutonium is a potent carcinogen, and the foetus seems to be particularly vulnerable to it. The disposal of nuclear waste must be monitored more closely, and it is suggested that the International Atomic Energy Agency should take on this added responsibility.