Identification of thorium dioxide in human liver cells by electron microscopic x-ray microanalysis.

Abstract

Thirty-two years after injection of thorium dioxide (Thorotrast) for diagnostic x-ray studies in a female patient deposits were found by light microscopy in the liver macrophages (Kupffer cells). They were shown by electron microscopy to be located inside secondary lysosomes, and by autoradiography and x-ray microanalysis they were identified as thorium.

In-vitro cell exposure studies for the assessment of nanoparticle toxicity in the lung—A dialog between aerosol science and biology

“…For example, the liver Kupffer cells play a primary role in the systemic clearance of bacteria escaping the gastrointestinal tract, proving for protection against system infection. Consequently, Kupffer cells are a major site of accumulation of nanomaterials reaching the blood circulation (Odegaard et al, 1978;Moghimi & Hunter, 2001;Krasinskas et al, 2004;Sadauskas et al, 2009), and nanomaterials can remain in these cells for decades. Very little, however, is understood about the potential for nanoparticle accumulation in Kupffer cells to disrupt their normal bacterial clearance function following low, chronic environmental exposures.…”

Possible Mechanism for the Formation of Tumors by Thorotrast Based on Crystallographic Characterization of Thorotrast Particles in Tissues

“…The fringe spacing was 0.32 nm and was due to the (111) atomic plane of Th02 [10]. The unidentified ring of weak intensity in the electron diffraction pattern of Thorotrast reported in our previous paper [11] was proved to have been caused by the double scattering effect. Thus, the diffraction pattern also confirmed that Thorotrast in the tissues was Th02.…”

“…In previous studies on Thorotrast, chemical analyses were made [8,11,12] and distribution of particles in tissues and particle sizes were determined by transmission electron microscopy and diffraction techniques [13][14][15]. In this study, we applied high-resolution electron microscopy to thin sections of biological specimens for the first time in order to obtain the particle size, imperfection and also the structure of grain boundaries of the Thorotrast.…”

Redistribution of thorotrast into a liver allograft several years following transplantation: a case report

“…[9][10][11] When present within macrophages, the deposits may reside within the cytoplasm or within membrane-bound phagosomes, but they may be present within the collagenous extracellular matrix. [9][10][11][12] An X-ray spectrum from electron microanalysis of Thorotrast deposits shows several characteristic peaks. The dominant peak is an M-line at about 3.0 keV, with additional peaks approximately as follows: La ¼ 13.0 keV, Lb2 ¼ 15.7 keV, Lb1 ¼ 16.2 keV and Lg ¼ 19.0 keV.…”

“…The dominant peak is an M-line at about 3.0 keV, with additional peaks approximately as follows: La ¼ 13.0 keV, Lb2 ¼ 15.7 keV, Lb1 ¼ 16.2 keV and Lg ¼ 19.0 keV. [10][11][12] . Since the spectra used in our analyses extended only to 10 keV, only the prominent M-line peak at about 3.0 keV was present.…”