The Microdistribution and Retention of Injected 239 Pu on Trabecular Bone Surfaces of the Beagle: Implications for the Induction of Osteosarcoma

Abstract

A study was initiated to investigate the relationship between skeletal remodeling and the microdistribution and retention of /sup 239/Pu on trabecular bone surfaces of the beagle, and the contribution of these parameters to the nonuniform skeletal distribution of /sup 239/Pu-induced osteosarcomas. Young adult beagles were administered single iv injections of approx. 0.016 ..mu..Ci/kg monomeric /sup 239/Pu citrate and sacrificed at various times to 1 year after injection. The /sup 239/Pu concentration on trabecular bone surfaces was determined by counting fission fragment tracks in neutron-induced autoradiographs produced from thick (approx. 400 ..mu..m) bone sections. The rate of trabecular bone formation was calculated from an ultraviolet microscopic analysis of fluorescent tetracycline labels. The lumbar vertebra, pelvis, and proximal humerus, each of which exhibits a high incidence of /sup 239/Pu-induced osteosarcoma, were found to have a high intial concentration of /sup 239/Pu on their trabecular surfaces (approx. 7-8 pCi/cm/sup 2/) and a relatively high rate of trabecular bone formation. The /sup 239/Pu concentration at these sites decreased to approx. 2-3 pCi/cm/sup 2/ at the end of the first year. On the other hand, the proximal ulna and distal humerus, skeletal sites with a low tumor incidence, had a low intial concentration of /supmore » 239/Pu on their trabecular surfaces(approx. 1-2 pCi/cm/sup 2/) and a significantly lower rate of trabecular bone formation (P < 0.01). The /sup 239/Pu concentration at these sites remained nearly constant throughout the experimental period. These data suggest that the degree of the initial deposition of /sup 239/Pu on trabecular bone surfaces and the rate of trabecular bone turnover may play a role in the genesis of /sup 239/Pu-induced osteosarcomas.« less