Influence of iron on plutonium absorption by the adult and neonatal rat

Journal Article · Mon Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-008X(86)90118-3· OSTI ID:6933839

Sullivan, M F; Ruemmler, P S; Buschbom, R L

To determine how iron affects plutonium absorption, adult rats were gavaged with /sup 238/Pu nitrate (pH 2) after they had been fed an iron-deficient diet or treated with iron supplements. Neonatal rats born to dams on an iron-deficient diet were also gavaged with /sup 238/Pu. An iron-deficient diet resulted in enhanced /sup 238/Pu absorption both in the adults and in neonates born to iron-deficient dams. Ferric iron increased /sup 238/Pu absorption 12-fold in adult rats; injected iron-dextran reduced that increase; gavaged ferrous iron reduced /sup 238/Pu absorption to one-third of the control value. Rat neonates absorbed 30 to 40 times as much /sup 238/Pu as adults; absorption was lowered in groups that received iron supplements: Iron-dextran caused a 50% reduction; ferric iron, 95%; and ferrous iron, greater than 95%. The results demonstrate an effect of the oxidation state of iron on plutonium absorption in adult rats different from that observed in suckling rats. The results suggest that the high rate of /sup 238/Pu absorption by neonatal animals is due not only to the permeability of their intestines but also to their high demand for iron.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA
• OSTI ID: 6933839
• Journal Information: Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States), Journal Name: Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.; (United States) Vol. 2; ISSN TXAPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560162* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Animals
Plants
Microorganisms
& Cells
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ADULTS
AGE DEPENDENCE
AGE GROUPS
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ANIMALS
BODY
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELEMENTS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
GLANDS
HEAVY NUCLEI
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION
IRON
ISOTOPES
LIVER
MAMMALS
METALS
NEONATES
NUCLEI
ORGANS
PLUTONIUM 238
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
RADIOISOTOPES
RATS
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
RODENTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES