Rare-Earth Fatty Liver

Differences in Behavior among the Chlorides of Seven Rare Earth Elements Administered Intravenously to Rats

“…Fatty liver was observed in female rats administered light REEs intravenously (Snyder et al, 1959(Snyder et al, , 1960; however, the differences between REEs in terms of behavior in vivo have not yet been clarified.…”

The Effect of Lanthanides and Actinides on Blood Coagulation. I. Evidence for and Properties of a New Serum Thromboplastic Factor*

“…An example is the thorium trichelate of the structure: NH4 NH4 CHART 1 Conceivably, these similar elements could complex with certain biologically functional amino groups of a protein. Indeed, strong complexing ability of rare earth elements with proteins in vivo (48) and in vitro (49,50) has already been demonstrated. The failure of uranyl nitrate [UO2(NO3)2] to produce a clotting defect might be due to its inability to form such complexes, since four of its available co-ordinate bonds are already linked to oxygen.…”

The Lanthanides

“…Production was estimated to be 470 tonnes in 1950;2270in 196015 900 in 1970;27 300 in 1980;52 900 in 1990;and83 300 tonnes in 2000 (DiFrancesco andHedrick 2002). World reserves of rare earth oxides were estimated to be 100 million tonnes in 2000, with China possessing the largest share (43%) of those reserves (Hedrick 2000).…”

“…In other studies, early biochemical changes seen in rats after acute i.v. injection of lanthanides included an increase in plasma free fatty acid levels, followed by an increase in fatty infiltration of the liver (Snyder et al 1960). At higher doses, signs of acute systemic toxicity included writhing, ataxia, labored respiration, altered posture and sedation.…”