Platinum distribution in intraperitoneal tumors after intraperitoneal cisplatin treatment.

The spatial distribution of platinum (Pt) in the kidney was studied by an autoradiographic technique, in which cisplatin (CDDP) was replaced by 195mPt-labeled CDDP, and by proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Although both studies demonstrated comparable spatial distribution patterns, PIXE had the advantage that Pt concentrations could be determined quantitatively, in contrast to the relative information obtained by the autoradiographic technique. Using PIXE, the distribution of Pt in i.p. tumors was studied after i.p. administration of CDDP. The highest Pt concentrations were always found on the periphery of tumors, indicating that the periphery was exposed to a higher drug concentration than the center. Dose was correlated to the concentration of CDDP at both the center and the periphery (r = 0.99). The Pt concentration in the periphery was usually higher by a factor of 2-3 after i.p. administration than after i.v. treatment, whereas in the center of the tumor no concentration difference could be detected. The penetration depth of CDDP lay between 1 and 2 mm and was calculated from the differences in Pt concentration after i.p. and i.v. treatment. This indicates that the effective advantage of i.p. chemotherapy with CDDP in cases of cancers limited to the peritoneal cavity is accentuated at the periphery of the tumor.

Micro-PIGE determination of fluorine distribution in developing hamster tooth germs.

A micro-PIGE (Proton-Induced gamma-ray Emission) technique based on the delayed 5/2+----1/2+ nuclear transition of fluorine (E gamma = 197 keV, t1/2 = 87 ns) emitted after 19F(p,p', gamma)19F reaction was used to detect and study the distribution of fluorine in the developing enamel organ during pre-eruptive stages, i.e., the transitional to early maturation stages of enamel formation in neonatal hamsters administered a single IP dose of sodium fluoride (20 mg NaF/kg body weight). The aforementioned nuclear reaction is unique for fluorine, and therefore detection of gamma-rays emanating from this reaction in a biological specimen implies a positive identification of fluorine at that particular site. Calcium and phosphorus X-rays were also recorded and used as parameters for assessment of the relationship between the degree of mineralization and fluoride incorporation into the enamel organ. The highest fluorine concentration in the enamel organ was recorded in the dentin near the dentin-enamel junction (DEJ). In the enamel, the highest concentration of fluorine was found to be associated with the more mature areas of the enamel near the DEJ, but gradually decreased in the direction of the enamel surface. Fluorine was not detected in the control germs. These results suggest that administration of fluoride in high doses during the pre-eruptive stages of enamel formation leads to incorporation of the ion into the forming dentin and enamel mineral, and that the enamel matrix does not seem to bind fluoride avidly.

The effect of dietary zinc deficiency on the mossy fiber zinc content of the rat hippocampus. A microbeam PIXE study. Particle Induced X-Ray Emission.

The effect of dietary zinc deficiency on the mossy fiber zinc content of the rat hippocampus was investigated using PIXE (Particle Induced X-Ray Emission) spectroscopy. Using the proton microbeam (60 X 60 microns), 2 mm line-scans were made on hippocampal sections and the data were expressed as absolute zinc concentrations. Values of 55 and 136 ppm (dry weight) were found for the mean background zinc level and the maximum mossy fiber zinc level, respectively, in animals fed a control diet containing 50 ppm zinc. Treatment of these animals with dithizone caused about 50% reduction in the maximum mossy fiber zinc level. Feeding a zinc-deficient diet for 28 days did not cause a decrease in the mossy fiber zinc level, however, feeding the zinc-deficient diet for 90 days reduced the maximum mossy fiber zinc level by about 30%. The results are discussed in relation to the behavioral abnormalities that have been observed in zinc-deficient animals.

Discrepancies between histological and physical methods for trace element mapping in the rat brain.

This paper contains a comparison between four experimental methods for the detection of trace metals in biological tissues, e.g. autoradiography, dithizone-, Timm-staining and microPIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission). As research object the hippocampus of the rat was chosen and mainly the Zn-distribution in the fascia dentata has been examined. The comparison was judged on four criteria: spatial resolution, specificity, quantification and influence of the protein binding of the metal on the outcome of each method. Some additional Timm and microPIXE experiments have been performed to compare the metal concentrations for both normal and Zn-deficient rats. The Zn/Cu ratio for both kinds of rats were calculated and some striking differences in the concentrations were obtained. The Zn/Cu ratio for a normal rat was found to be about 40% higher than for a deficient one.