Influence of calcium on the uptake of ingested strontium

V. Höllriegl; P. Roth; E. Werner; P. Schramel; I. Wendler; N. Felgenhauer; T. Zilker

doi:10.1515/kern-2003-0076

Article

Influence of calcium on the uptake of ingested strontium

V. Höllriegl , P. Roth , E. Werner , P. Schramel , I. Wendler , N. Felgenhauer and T. Zilker

Published/Copyright: March 11, 2022

Published by

Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Submit Manuscript Author Information

From the journal Kerntechnik Volume 68 Issue 4

Abstract

Radioactive isotopes of strontium, mainly ⁹⁰Sr, released into the environment due to nuclear accidents may contribute significantly to the internal radiation exposure of members of the public after ingestion of strontium with contaminated foodstuffs. The committed radiation dose is significantly dependent on the fraction of the ingested activity that crossed the gut wall (f₁ value). The directive 96/29/EURATOM has adopted f₁ values of 0.3 for adults. This study was aimed to investigate how far the calcium content of foodstuffs influences the uptake of ingested strontium. For aqueous solutions without calcium containing 1 mg strontium, f₁ values of 0.62 ± 0.13 (mean ± SD) were obtained. However, the uptake of 1 mg Sr from milk, and respectively from solutions with calcium was lower than from aqueous solution (f₁: = 0.32 ± 0.06, respectively f₁: = 0.31 ± 0.06). The data obtained show a significant reduction of the uptake of ingested strontium from milk in comparison to aqueous solution. The calcium content of milk could explain this reduction.

Abstract

Radioaktive Isotope von Strontium, hauptsächlich ⁹⁰Sr, können bei kerntechnischen Unfällen in die Umwelt freigesetzt werden und durch Aufnahme mit der Nahrung zu einer inneren Strahlenexposition der Bevölkerung führen. Dabei hängt die resultierende Strahlendosis wesentlich vom Bruchteil der ingestierten Aktivität ab, der die Darmschranke passiert (f₁-Wert). Die Richtlinie 96/29/EURATOM sieht f₁-Werte für erwachsene Personen von 0,3 vor. Ziel dieser Studie war es zu untersuchen, inwieweit der Kalziumgehalt der Nahrung die Aufnahme beeinflusst. Für wässrige Lösungen mit 1 mg Strontium ohne Kalziumzusatz liegt der Mittelwert von f₁ bei 0,62 ± 0,13 (MW ± SD), für Milch bei 0,32 ± 0,06 und für wässrige Lösungen mit Kalziumzusatz bei 0,31 ± ,06. Die Daten zeigen eine signifikante Abnahme des f₁-Wertes von Strontium für Milch gegenüber der wässrigen Lösung. Der Kalziumgehalt der Milch könnte diese Reduktion erklären.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Mrs. M. Röhmuß and Mr. M. Greiter for their valuable technical assistance, and Prof. Dr. med H. Wagner, Institute of Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich for the sterility checks of the injection solutions. This study was supported partly by the Commission of the European Communities (Grant No FIGD-CT-2000–0053).

References

1 ICRP 23, Report of the task group in reference man. International Commission on Radiological Protection, Pergamon Press, Oxford 1974Search in Google Scholar

2 Seifert, M.; Jaritz, M.; Holzinger, S.; Seeber, O.; Anke, M.: Alimentary strontium intake: first results in Germany. Trace Elem Electrolytes 17 (2000) 112Search in Google Scholar

3 Linder, M. C.: Nutritional and metabolism of the trace elements. In: Linder, M. C. (ed) Nutritional biochemistry and metabolism, Prentice-Hall International Inc. 1991, p. 215Search in Google Scholar

4 Deutsche Risikostudie Kernkraftwerke. Eine Untersuchung zu dem durch Störfälle in Kernkraftwerken verursachten Risiko. Fachband 8. Eds: Gesellschaft für Reaktorsicherheit, Verlag TÜV Rheinland 1981Search in Google Scholar

5 Turnlund, J. R.: The uses of stable isotopes in mineral nutrition research. J Nutr 119 (1989) 710.1093/jn/119.1.7Search in Google Scholar PubMed

6 Werner, E.; Roth, P.; Höllriegl, V.; Hansen, C.; Kaltwasser, J. P.; Giussani, A.; Cantone, M. C.; Greim, H.; Zilker, T.; Felgenhauer, N.: Assessment of intestinal absorption of trace metals in humans by means of stable isotopes. Isotopes Environ Health Stud 38 (2002) 710.1080/10256010208033306Search in Google Scholar PubMed

7 Spencer, H.; Li, M.; Samachson, J.; Lazlo, D.: Metabolism of strontium-85 and calcium-45 in man. Metabolism 9 (1960) 916Search in Google Scholar

8 Samachson, J.; Spencer-Laszlo, H.: Strontium-90 plasma-levels and excretions in young adults. Nature, London 195 (1962) 111310.1038/1951113b0Search in Google Scholar PubMed

9 Fujita, M.; Yabe, A.; Ueno, K.; Oshino, M.; Okuyama,N.: The behaviour of strontium-85 in a normal man following a single ingestion-absorption and excretion. Health Phys 9 (1963) 40710.1097/00004032-196304000-00004Search in Google Scholar PubMed

10 Spencer-Laszlo, H.; Samachson, J.; Hardy, E. P. H.; Rivera, J.: Strontium-90 metabolism during low strontium-90 intake in man. Rad Res 22 (1964) 66810.2307/3571547Search in Google Scholar

11 Fujita, M.: Absorption of strontium-90 in man. Health Phys 11 (1965) 4710.1097/00004032-196504000-00004Search in Google Scholar

12 Spencer, H.; Lewin, I.; Samachson, J.: Influence of dietary and hormonal factors on radiostrontium metabolism in man. In: Lenihan, J. M. A.; Loutit, J. F.; Martin, J. H. (eds) Strontium Metabolism. Academic Press, London 1967 p. 111Search in Google Scholar

13 Shimmins, J.; Smith, D. A.; Nordin, B.; Burkinshaw, L.: A comparison between calcium-45 and strontium-85 absorption, excretion and skeletal uptake. In: Lenihan, J. M. A.; Loutit, J. F.; Martin, J. H. (eds) Strontium Metabolism. Academic Press, London 1967 p. 149Search in Google Scholar

14 Spencer, H.; Kramer, L.; Norrie, C.; Samachson, J.: Certain aspects of radio strontium metabolism in man. In: Lenihan, J. M. A. (ed) Proceedings of the 2^nd International symposium on strontium metabolism 1972 p. 33510.2172/4598867Search in Google Scholar

15 Werner, E.; Hansen, Ch.; Roth, P.; McAughey, J.; Haines, J.: Assessment of intestinal absorption (f₁ values) of strontium for aqueous solutions and foodstuffs, in: van Kaick, G. (ed) Health Effects of Internally Deposited Radionuclides, World Scientific, Singapore 1995 p. 113Search in Google Scholar

16 ICRP 67, Age-dependent doses to members of the public from intakes of radionuclides, part 2: ingestion dose coefficients. International Commission on Radiological Protection. Pergamon Press, Oxford 1994Search in Google Scholar

17 Council Directive 96/29/EURATOM of 13 May 1996 laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation. No L 159/1-144, 1996Search in Google Scholar

18 Coughtrey, P. J.; Thorne,M. C.: Radionuclide distribution and transport in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. A critical review of data. Balkema AA (ed), Rotterdam 1983, Vol 3, p. 170Search in Google Scholar

19 Gong, Y.; Huang, Z.; Qiang, M.; Lun, F.; Bai, G.; Mao, Y.; Ma, X.; Zhang, F.: Suppression of radioactive strontium absorption by sodium alginate in animals and human subjects. Biomed Environ Sci 4: 273–282; 1991Search in Google Scholar

20 DeGracia, J. A.; Ivanovich, P.; Fellows, H.; Rich, C.: A double isotope method for measurements of intestinal absorption of calcium in man. J Lab Clin Med 66 (1965) 822Search in Google Scholar

21 Roth, P.; Werner, E.: Interrelations of radiocalcium absorption tests and their clinical relevance. Mineral Electrolyte Metab. 11 (1985) 351Search in Google Scholar

22 Höllriegl, V.; Louvat, P.; Werner, E.; Roth, P.; Schramel, P.; Wendler, I.; Felgenhauer, N.; Zilker T.: Studies of strontium biokinetics in humans. Part 2: uptake of strontium from aqueous solutions and labelled foodstuffs. Rad Environ Biophys, 41 (2002) 28110.1007/s00411-002-0175-2Search in Google Scholar PubMed

23 Horwitz, E. P.; Chiarizia, R; Dietz, M. L.: A novel strontium-selective extraction chromatographic resin, solvent extraction and ion exchange 10 (1992) 31310.1080/07366299208918107Search in Google Scholar

24 Sachs, S.: Statistische Methoden. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York 197210.1007/978-3-642-96122-9Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2002-12-12

Published Online: 2022-03-11

You are currently not able to access this content.

Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/kern-2003-0076