Objective: The pathological effects of internal exposure to manganese dioxide-56 (56MnO2) radioisotope particles have been previously examined in rats. Here we further examine the effects of 56MnO2, focusing on changes in blood parameters.
Materials and methods: Ten-week-old male Wistar rats were exposed to 3 doses of neutron-activated 56MnO2 powder, nonradioactive MnO2 powder, or external 60Co γ-rays (1 Gy, whole body). On days 3 and 61 postexposure, the animals were necropsied to measure organ weights and clinical blood parameters, including red blood cell and white blood cell counts; concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium; and levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, amylase, creatinine, urea, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and glucose.
Results: In the 56MnO2-exposed animals, accumulated doses were found to be highest in the gastrointestinal tract, followed by the skin and lungs, with whole-body doses ranging from 41 to 100 mGy. There were no 56MnO2 exposure-related changes in body weights or relative organ weights. The ALT level decreased on day 3 and then significantly increased on day 61 in the 56MnO2-exposed groups. There were no exposure-related changes in any other blood parameters.
Conclusion: Although the internal doses were less than 100 mGy, internal exposure of 56MnO2 powder showed significant biological impacts.
Keywords: Blood chemistry; Mn-56; internal radiation exposure; rats.
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