The localization of metallic radionuclides in abscesses in rats.

The accumulation of ten metals in turpentine-induced abscesses of different ages has been studied in rats. The maximum metal concentration ratio between the abscesses and the non-inflamed contralateral muscle was greater than 1 for all the metals studied, the lowest being 2.5 for Zn, and the highest 36 for Th. The ratio remains greater than 1 for more than 28 days for all metals except Ga. There is a marked increase of beta-glucuronidase activity in the inflamed tissue which correlates well with the metal concentration. In contrast the acid phosphatase activity was reduced for the first few days after turpentine injection and never rose above the normal muscle activity. The metals showing the highest uptake in the inflamed lesion appear to be those which are transported in the blood as a transferrin complex.