Ultrastructural lesions induced by neptunium-237: apoptosis or necrosis?

Abstract

In this study, we are concerned with the 237 isotope of neptunium (237Np), which is a by-product of uranium in nuclear reactors. To study ultrastructural lesions induced by this element, a group of rats were injected with a solution of 237Np-nitrate once a day for 14 weeks. Lesions observed in liver and kidney are described using electron microscopy. Ultrastructural alterations of cellular membranes and intracellular organelles demonstrated the existence of neptunium toxicity. This toxicity was characterized by various lesions, such as cytoplasmic clarification, disappearance of mitochondrial cristae, swollen mitochondria, abnormal condensation of nuclear chromatin, and nuclear fragmentations. This study demonstrated the probable induction of apoptosis by neptunium both in liver and kidneys.

• Authors: D Pusset, M Fromm, J L Poncy, B Kantelip, P Galle, A Chambaudet, M Baud, H Boulahdour
• Journal: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology (Can J Physiol Pharmacol) Vol. 80 Issue 7 Pg. 654-61 (Jul 2002) ISSN: 0008-4212 [Print] Canada
• PMID: 12182324 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Actinoid Series Elements
• Neptunium

Topics

• Actinoid Series Elements (toxicity)
• Animals
• Apoptosis (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Cell Nucleus (pathology, radiation effects, ultrastructure)
• Cytoplasm (pathology, radiation effects, ultrastructure)
• Hepatocytes (pathology, radiation effects, ultrastructure)
• Inclusion Bodies (pathology, radiation effects, ultrastructure)
• Kidney (pathology, radiation effects, ultrastructure)
• Liver (pathology, radiation effects, ultrastructure)
• Microscopy, Electron
• Necrosis
• Neptunium (toxicity)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar