EVALUATION OF NICKEL TOXICITY ON LIVER, SPLEEN, AND KIDNEY OF MICE AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF HIGH-DOSE METAL-ION

The toxic effects caused by nickel (Ni) per si were explored by perfor ming in vivo studies on mice following subcutaneous administration of a metallic solution of nickel at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks to evaluate the side effects of this metal ion when released from stainless steel impl ants. Other groups were similarly injected with HBSS and used as contr ols. Accumulation of Ni ions on liver, spleen, and kidney was assessed by an electrochemical method, adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV) using microelectrodes, and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Alte rations of those organs induced by Ni ions were studied, showing that several histological changes had been induced. Chemical analysis and h istological features indicate that Ni is partially accumulated in the study organs. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.