EARLY BIOKINETICS OF ACTINIDES AFTER INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF SOLUBLE FORMS OF PU(IV), NP(IV) AND NP(V)

We have compared the early biokinetics of actinides after intravenous administration of Pu(IV)-citrate, Np(IV)-citrate or Np(V)nitrate in ma le Sprague-Dawley rats. Blood samples, the liver, the kidneys and the femurs were removed 1, 2, 6 and 24 h after contamination for radioacti ve measurements. Our results demonstrate significant differences in bl ood and bone actinide retention for each compound studied. We conclude that the biological Np behavior varies depending on its valency state . Np(V) readily binds to the skeleton, whereas a gradual delay in the bone retention kinetics was observed for Np(TV) and Pu(TV), respective ly. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.