Synchrotron microscopic x-ray fluorescence analysis of the effects of chronic arsenic exposure in rat brain

M. RUBIO; R.D. PÉREZ; C.A. PÉREZ; A.R. EYNARD; G. BONGIOVANNI

RADIATION PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY (OXFORD)

Elsevier Science Limited

Lugar: Exeter; Año: 2008 vol. 77 p. 1 - 8

0969-806X

Synchrotron microscopic X-ray fluorescence analysis (µ-SRXRF) and conventional x-ray fluorescence (XRF) were applied for studying Cl, K, Fe, Cu, Zn and As concentrations in brain rat slices. The animals received drinking water containing 100ppm of sodium arsenite ad libitum for 30 and 60 days.  Lyophilized brain samples sectioned from normal and diseased rats were scanned with a collimated white synchrotron spectrum (300 mm X 300 mm pixel area). The accumulation of arsenic in rat brain induced by arsenic exposure was corroborated showing an almost uniform spatial distribution. The dependence of bulk arsenic concentration in brain with arsenic dosage suggests the existence of a protection mechanism which limits the transport of inorganic arsenic to the brain. Chlorine, potassium and iron bulk concentrations in brain were reduced and their spatial distributions changed during arsenic exposure. Copper and zinc were redistributed when arsenic dosage was increased. The obtained results show that µ-SRXRF is a very well-positioned and precise technique to detect the effects of metal contamination on the spatial distributions of elements in mammal tissues.