title: Risk assessment visualization of rubidium compounds: comparison of renal and hepatic toxicities, in vivo.
abstract: Rubidium has been considered to be nontoxic. Its use includes thin film on glass deposition and as medical contrast medium. Recent technology innovations also involve the use of rubidium, but there is limited information about the biological effects of its various compounds. In the present risk assessment study, a series of rubidium compounds with different counter anions-acetate, bromide, carbonate, chloride, and fluoride-were orally administrated in a single dose to several groups of rats. Cumulative 24-h urine samples were obtained, and the levels of rubidium, fluoride, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase and creatinine were measured to evaluate possible acute renal effects. Daily samples of serum were also obtained to determine the levels of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases to assess possible acute hepatic effects. Urinary rubidium excretion recovery of 8.0-10.5% shows that urine can be a useful diagnostic tool for rubidium exposure. The present results reveal that rubidium shows different biological effects depending on the counter anion. A pattern of large significant NAG leakage and elevation of ALT observed in rats treated with anhydrous rubidium fluoride indicates renal and hepatic toxicities that can be attributed to fluoride. The techniques reported in this study will be of help to assess the potential risks of toxicity of rubidium compounds with a variety of anions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Division of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka Medical College, 2-7, Daigakumachi, Takatsuki City, Osaka, 569-8686, Japan, hyg032@art.osaka-med.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Kan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Usuda
authors.forename: Rei
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.forename: Takaaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ueno
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Tomotaro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dote
authors.forename: Hirotaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tamaki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012413:Rubidium / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D012413:Rubidium