ABSTRACT
AIM: Measurement of heavy elements in alveolar macrophages (AM) of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and pulmonary tumor tissue (PTT); investigation of spacial distribution of the heavy particles in the tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laser mass-spectrometry estimated quantitative and qualitative characteristics of heavy elements (Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zr, etc.) in diagnostic and therapeutic BAL of 6 patients exposed to radiation after the Chernobyl accident and in pulmonary tumor tissue of patients operated for central small-cell and peripheral bronchoalveolar cancer who also had been exposed to radiation after the Chernobyl. RESULTS: Heavy elements concentration in the secondary BAL was less than in the primary one. This shows effectiveness of the procedures aimed at removal of heavy particles from the respiratory organs. Heavy elements content was quite different in two histologically different tumors. CONCLUSION: Laser mass-spectrometry proved its usefulness in simultaneous study of the quantity and quality of heavy elements in AM of BAL and tumors in radiation-exposed subjects, in investigation of the elements distribution in the pulmonary tissues and changes of elements composition in the tissues in the course of tumors development.
