Brain accumulation of inhaled uranium in the rat depends on aerosol concentration, exposure repetitions, particle size and solubility.

A rostro-caudal gradient of uranium (U) in the brain has been suggested after its inhalation. To study the factors influencing this mapping, we first used 30-min acute inhalation at 56 mg/m of the relatively soluble form UO in the rat. These exposure parameters were then used as a reference in comparison with the other experimental conditions.

Hto, Tritiated Amino Acid Exposure and External Exposure Induce Differential Effects on Hematopoiesis and Iron Metabolism.

The increased potential for tritium releases from either nuclear reactors or from new facilities raises questions about the appropriateness of the current ICRP and WHO recommendations for tritium exposures to human populations. To study the potential toxicity of tritium as a function of dose, including at a regulatory level, mice were chronically exposed to tritium in drinking water at one of three concentrations, 10 kBq.l, 1 MBq.

In vivo animal studies help achieve international consensus on standards and guidelines for health risk estimates for chronic exposure to low levels of tritium in drinking water.

Existing and future nuclear fusion technologies involve the production and use of large quantities of tritium, a highly volatile, but low toxicity beta-emitting isotope of hydrogen. Tritium has received international attention because of public and scientific concerns over its release to the environment and the potential health impact of its internalization. This article provides a brief summary of the current state of knowledge of both the biological and regulatory aspects of tritium exposure; it also explores the gaps in this knowledge and provides recommendations on the best ways forward for improving our understanding of the health effects of low-level exposure to it.

Effects of repeated potassium iodide administration on genes involved in synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormone in adult male rat.

Background: A single dose of potassium iodide (KI) is recommended to reduce the risk of thyroid cancer during nuclear accidents. However in case of prolonged radioiodine exposure, more than one dose of KI may be necessary. This work aims to evaluate the potential toxic effect of repeated administration of KI.

Metabolomics reveals dose effects of low-dose chronic exposure to uranium in rats: identification of candidate biomarkers in urine samples.

Introduction: Data are sparse about the potential health risks of chronic low-dose contamination of humans by uranium (natural or anthropogenic) in drinking water. Previous studies report some molecular imbalances but no clinical signs due to uranium intake.

Objectives: In a proof-of-principle study, we reported that metabolomics is an appropriate method for addressing this chronic low-dose exposure in a rat model (uranium dose: 40 mg L; duration: 9 months, n = 10).