UPTAKE OF ALUMINUM AND GALLIUM INTO TISSUES OF THE RAT - INFLUENCE OFANTIBODY AGAINST THE TRANSFERRIN RECEPTOR

Transport of aluminum and gallium from blood into rat tissues followin g continuous iv infusion of metals in different chemical forms has bee n investigated. Tissue uptake of aluminum and gallium was similar and highly dependent on the chemical species of the metals. Aluminum and g allium accumulated in liver and spleen when infused in the chloride fo rm. Raised citrate markedly enhanced aluminum and gallium uptake into renal cortex and bone; in contrast with gallium-transferrin, citrate i ncreased uptake of Ga-67 into renal cortex and bone by 8- and 14-fold respectively. Uptake of Ga-67 with citrate into renal cortex was aroun d 3 times smaller than that of aluminum. The antitransferrin receptor antibody OX-26 enhanced Ga-67 uptake from gallium citrate into all rat tissues. Ga-67 from purified gallium-transferrin was also taken into all, tissues in the presence of OX-26, the effect being greatest in re nal cortex and bone. No influence of antibody on aluminum transport in to rat tissues was, however, observed when aluminum was infused in the citrate form. Therefore, transport of aluminum and gallium into tissu es is not similar under all conditions. Transport of each metal occurs into all tissues in the presence of antitransferrin receptor antibody . The potential for such transport is much greater in the case of gall ium. Transport of aluminum and gallium citrate complexes appears impor tant especially in the renal cortex and bone.