Inositol hexaphosphate: a potential chelating agent for uranium

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2007;127(1-4):477-9. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncm356. Epub 2007 Jul 12.

Abstract

Chelation therapy is an optimal method to reduce the radionuclide-related risks. In the case of uranium incorporation, the treatment of choice is so far i.v infusion of a 1.4% sodium bicarbonate solution, but the efficacy has been proved to be not very high. In this study, we examine the efficacy of some substances: bicarbonate, citrate, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), ethidronate (EHBP) and inositol hexaphosphate (phytic acid) to chelate uranium using a test developed by Braun et al. Different concentrations of phytic acid, an abundant component of plant seeds that is widely distributed in animal cells and tissues in substantial levels, were tested and compared to the same concentrations of sodium citrate, bicarbonate, EHBP and DTPA. The results showed a strong affinity of inositol hexaphosphate for uranium, suggesting that it could be an effective chelating agent for uranium in vivo.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chelating Agents / administration & dosage
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Clearance Rate / drug effects
  • Phytic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology
  • Radiation Injuries / metabolism*
  • Radiation Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Radiation-Protective Agents / administration & dosage
  • Rats
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uranium / isolation & purification
  • Uranium / pharmacokinetics*
  • Uranium / poisoning*

Substances

  • Chelating Agents
  • Radiation-Protective Agents
  • Uranium
  • Phytic Acid