(238)Pu elimination profiles after delayed treatment with 3,4,3LI(1,2HOPO) in female and male Swiss-Webster mice. 2014
OBJECTIVE To characterize the dose-dependent and sex-related efficacy of the hydroxypyridinonate decorporation agent 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) at enhancing plutonium elimination when post-exposure treatment is delayed. METHODS Six parenteral dose levels of 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) from 1-300 μmol/kg were evaluated for decorporating plutonium in female and male Swiss-Webster mice administered a soluble citrate complex of (238)Pu and treated 24 hours later. Necropsies were scheduled at four time-points (2, 4, 8, and 15 days post-contamination) for the female groups and at three time-points (2, 4, and 8 days post-contamination) for the male groups. RESULTS Elimination enhancement was dose-dependent in the 1-100 μmol/kg dose range at all necropsy time-points, with some significant reductions in full body and tissue content for both female and male animals. The highest dose level resulted in slight toxicity, with a short recovery period, which delayed excretion of the radionuclide. CONCLUSIONS While differences were noted between the female and male cohorts in efficacy range and recovery times, all groups displayed sustained dose-dependent (238)Pu elimination enhancement after delayed parenteral treatment with 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO), the actinide decorporation agent under development.