In vivo Binding of Radiocesium by Two Forms of Prussian Blue and by Ammonium Iron Hexacyanoferrate (ii)

Abstract

The effect of two forms of Prussian blue, soluble K₃ Fe[Fe(CN)₆] and insoluble Fe₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃, and of ammonium iron hexacyanoferrate (II) (NH₄Fe[Fe(CN)₆] on intestinal radiocesium absorption was investigated in rats, pigs, and humans. In rats 5 mg of antidote administered 2 min before ¹³⁴Cs tracer reduced radiocesium absorption to 2.4 - 6.3% of the oral dose. In pigs fed with Chernobyl-contaminated whey under normal feeding conditions for a 27 day period, radiocesium activity concentration was reduced from 360 Bq/kg in control animals to 10 - 30 Bq/kg by 5 g antidote/d. In man 1 g of oral Prussian blue diminished the cesium absorption from a ¹³⁴Cs-labelled test meal to 5.6 -6.4% of the controls. The inhibitory effects of colloidally soluble K₃ Fe[Fe(CN₆) and of (NH₄Fe[Fe(CN)₆] were similar with slightly less inhibition by the insoluble Fe₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃.

KEY WORDS:

• cesium
• radioisotopes
• hydrocyanic acid
• ferricyanides
• poisoning
• intestinal absorption
• (II)
• antidote