A study on the distribution of 85Sr and 134Cs radionuclides after total body irradiation

Abstract

The kinetics of strontium, 85Sr, and cesium, 134Cs, were evaluated in a mouse experimental model to determine the impact of these radionuclides on a living organism concerning total body irradiation. Our study demonstrates that the elimination rate of 134Cs from the skeleton and teeth is influenced by total body irradiation and the presence of 85Sr. Higher accumulation and faster 134Cs elimination rates were observed in the skeleton and teeth of mice administrated with a mixture of 134Cs + 85Sr radionuclides. Regarding 85Sr, only a minimal effect was observed on its accumulation rate in skeleton, teeth, and muscle in total body irradiation mice. The effect of the 85Sr + 134Cs radionuclide mix on the accumulation of 85Sr was more apparent in teeth, showing a higher retention rate after 10-24 days of administration in non-irradiated mice. The evaluation of the kinetics of these radionuclides provided much-needed insight on their effects during the first two months after exposure, demonstrating that the accumulation rate of 85Sr is greater than that of 134Cs. Further, the elimination rate of the former is slower in comparison to the latter. Interestingly, total body irradiation has a greater effect on the hematological parameters of the mice blood than the radionuclides alone.

Keywords

• 85sr
• 134cs
• mouse model
• internal contamination
• total body irradiation