Concentration of heavy elements and their compounds in the cells from BAV and pulmonary tumors in radiation-exposed subjects

Aim. Measurement of heavy elements in alveolar macrophages (AM) of bronchoa lveolar lavage (BAL) and pulmonary tumor tissue (PTT); investigation of spa cial distribution of the heavy particles in the tissues. Materials and methods. Laser mass-spectrometry estimated quantitative and q ualitative 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 remov al of heavy particles from the respiratory organs. Heavy elements content w as quite different in two histologically different tumors. Conclusion. Laser mass-spectrometry proved ifs usefulness in simultaneous s tudy of the quantity and quality of heavy elements in AM of BAL and tumors in radiation-exposed subjects, in investigation of the elements distributio n in the pulmonary tissues and changes of elements composition in the tissu es in the course of tumors development.