Species differences in the handling of lysosomotropic metals and Triton WR 1339 by rat and Chinese hamster liver.

The study was undertaken in order to understand the reasons for the distinct differences in the elimination rate of lanthanides and transuranium elements from the liver of different mammalian species. The binding of monomeric 239Pu in livers of rats and Chinese hamsters was analyzed by density gradient centrifugation and electrophoresis. It was concluded that this nuclide is initially bound to lysosomes in liver of rats and Chinese hamsters. The influence of Triton WR 1339 (TWR) on the density of lysosomal marker enzymes from rat and Chinese hamster liver at day 4 was very similar for both animal species but the TWR induced shift persisted in Chinese hamsters up to day 60 whereas in rat liver the lysosomal density increased again with time. Electron microscopic inspection confirmed the similarity of the initial reaction of hepatocyte lysosomes. However, after 60 to 70 days typical TWR induced "tritosomes" were absent from rat hepatocytes but could be found regularly in hepatocytes from Chinese hamsters. The elimination rate of 3H-activity from liver injection of 3H-TWR was lower in Chinese hamsters than in rats. It was concluded that the differences in elimination rate of lanthanides and transuranium elements from liver of various mammalian species and the differences observed after TWR injection might reflect differences in the composition or function of the lysosomal system in the livers of different mammalian species. With respect to the transport of certain heavy metals the rat liver is not a reliable model for human liver.