Possibilities of using auto-antibody formation for evaluating the activity of tissues and the distribution kinetics of uranium in an organism during uranium poisoning

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the distribution of uranium in organs and tissues and the extent of the morphobiochemical changes induced in them, using immunological methods for the purpose. The experiments were carried out with rabbits, rats and mice. The animals were given natural uranium salt UO2(NO3)2.6H2O (chemically pure), in physiological solution. A delayed hypersensitive reaction was evaluated in terms of the area of macrophage migration from spleen. The circulating auto-antibodies were determined by the passive haemagglutination reaction and the binding of the complement in the cold state, and the antierythrocitic precipitating antibodies were determined by the Yuan turbidity reaction. The extent of the destructive-inflammatory process during the uranium poisoning was evaluated from the C reactive protein and transaminase activity. Results of the research show that in acute and chronic uranium poisoning there is formation of autoantibodies to the organs and tissues of the poisoned animals, increased transaminase activity and the appearance of C reactive protein in the blood. A single administration of uranium does not alter the index for macrophage migration from the splenic explants. Prolonged peroral administration of uranium causes a decrease in the migration index. Following oral administration of .05% and 5% uranium for 2 months it was found that in both the healthy and the poisoned rats the greatest amount of uranium was concentrated in the thyroid gland and the testes. The administration of uranium aggravates the course of the experimentally-induced allergic orchitis and thyroiditis