Application of synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence imaging combined with histochemical staining to the renal section of mercury-treated rats

• Published in: Journal of synchrotron radiation Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 57 - 59
• Main Authors: Homma-Takeda, S., Kumagai, Y., Shinyashiki, M., Shimojo, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 5 Abbey Square, Chester, Cheshire CH1 2HU, England International Union of Crystallography 01.01.1998
• ISSN: 1600-5775; 0909-0495; 1600-5775
• DOI: 10.1107/S090904959701193X

A combination method consisting of synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence imaging and histochemical staining was employed to examine the detailed distribution of metal elements and morphological changes in the kidney section of rats exposed simultaneously to mercurial. A single injection of mercuric chloride (5 mg kg (-1)) to rats resulted in significant urinary leakages of the biological markers for acute mercury intoxication. Under this condition (i) a striking damage of brush border, cell loss and a dominant accumulation of mercury in the proximal tubules, (ii) a good correlation between the tubular damage caused by mercury and localization of the toxic metal, and (iii) an obvious distribution difference between zinc and sulfur following mercury exposure, were successfully shown by the present procedure with a 20 micron thick specimen.