The effects of polymeric plutonium on erythrocyte survival in mice, 2

The function of reticuloendothelial system (RES) to sequestrate 51Cr labelled heat damaged erythrocytes was investigated in male CF No. 1 mice after intravenous injection of polymeric plutonium at the dose levels of 15 μCi/kg, 10 μCi/kg and 5 μCi/kg. Effect of splenectomy on erythrocyte life span was also examined. Total blood volume, red cell volume and plasma volume were also determined so as to study the possible cause of anemia induced by polymeric plutonium. It was observed that polymeric plutonium depressed RES function of the spleen to sequestrate 51Cr labelled heat damaged erythrocytes, but disappearance of 51Cr labelled heat-damaged erythrocytes from the circulation of plutonium-exposed mice was within normal range. Erythrocyte life span was unchanged after splenectomy. Normal disappearance rate of 51Cr labelled heat-damaged erythrocytes from the circulation with depressed RES function of the spleen by polymeric plutonium was considered to be the result of increased function of the other parts of RES. In higher dose groups, red cell volume was decreased but no change in plasma volume was observed in any group studied. From these results, the possible cause of the shortened erythrocyte life span and anemia induced by extracorpuscular effect of polymeric plutonium are discussed. It is concluded at this time that decreased RES function of the spleen may not play an important role in shortened erythrocyte life span. (author)