Biomaterials for the decorporation of (85)Sr in the rat.

Although four stable isotopes of strontium occur naturally, Sr is produced by nuclear fission and is present in surface soil around the world as a result of fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests. It can easily transfer to humans in the event of a nuclear/radiological emergency or through the plant-animal-human food chain causing long-term exposures. Strontium is chemically and biologically similar to calcium, and is incorporated primarily into bone following internal deposition. Alginic acid (alginate) obtained from seaweed (kelp) extract selectively binds ingested strontium in the gastrointestinal tract blocking its systemic uptake and reducing distribution to bone in rats, while other natural polysaccharides including chitosan and hyaluronic acid had little in vivo affinity for strontium. Alginate exhibits the unique ability to discriminate between strontium and calcium and has been previously shown to reduce intestinal absorption and skeletal retention of strontium without changing calcium metabolism. In our studies, the effect of commercially available alginate on intestinal absorption of strontium was examined. One problem associated with alginate treatment is its limited solubility and gel formation in water. The aqueous solubility of sodium alginate was improved in a sodium chloride/sodium bicarbonate electrolyte solution containing low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG). Furthermore, oral administration of the combined alginate/electrolyte/PEG solution accelerated removal of internal strontium in rats when compared to treatment with individual sodium alginate/electrolyte or electrolyte/PEG solutions. Importantly, both alginate and PEG are nontoxic, readily available materials that can be easily administered orally in case of a national emergency when potentially large numbers of the population may require medical treatment for internal depositions. Our results suggest further studies to optimize in vivo decorporation performance of engineered alginate material via modification of its chemical and physicochemical properties are warranted.