Establishment of an animal model to evaluate the biological effects of intramuscularly embedded depleted uranium fragments / Carl Andrew Castro [and others].
| Other author | Castro, Carl Andrew. |
| Other author | Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (U.S.) |
| Format | Electronic |
| Publication Info | Bethesda, Md. : Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, [1996] |
| Description | 1 online resource (16 pages) : illustrations. |
| Supplemental Content | https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo21769 |
| Supplemental Content | http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA310662 |
| Subjects |
| Series | Technical report ; 96-3 AFRRI technical report ; 96-3. ^A1100935 |
| Abstract | During the Persian Gulf War, 36 U.S. soldiers were wounded by depleted uranium (DU) munitions. Based on medical guidelines for conventional shrapnel injuries (nonradioactive), many DU fragments were left in soldiers. Unfortunately, health risks associated with embedded DU were unknown, and an animal model to investigate this did not exist. The purpose of this study was to develop an animal model to examine the health risks associated with DU shrapnel injuries. Twelve rats were surgically implanted intramuscularly with 8 DU pellets (1 mm in diameter x 2 mm in length) or 8 chemically inert tantalum (Ta) pellets of similar size. Urinary uranium levels were measured on days 1, 3,7, 14, 28, 60, and 120 after implantation of DU pellets. Physiological and behavioral parameters, including locomotor activity, forelimb and hindlimb grip strength, food and water consumption, and urinary output, were measured 5 and 3 days before surgery and on days 1, 3,7, 14,28, 60, and 120 after surgery. Urinary uranium levels for Ta-implanted rats remained at background levels. In contrast, the average urinary uranium level for DU-implanted rats was significantly elevated on day 1(28.69 ug U/I) after implantation and remained elevated until day 120 (204.56 ug U/I). There was no significant difference between DU- and Ta-implanted rats in any behavioral or physiological measures. Results indicate that the rat is an appropriate animal model for evaluating biological effects of embedded DU fragments. |
| General note | "July 1996." |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (p. 13-16). |
| Report note | Technical report. |
| Funding information | Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. PE: NWED QAXM |
| Issued in other form | Microform: Establishment of an animal model to evaluate the biological effects of intramuscularly embedded depleted uranium fragments |
| GPO item number | 0379-B-10 (online) |
| Govt. docs number | D 15.12/2:96-3 |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Resources | ✔ Available |