Use of radioisotopes in biokinetic models with experimental animals

Abstract

Biokinetic models are useful tools to relate external exposures to internal measures of dose. The knowledge of internal dose and factors that influence absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination in experimental animals provide a scientific rationale for estimating low-dose human risk. A bioanalytical procedure to support biokinetic studies is the use of radiolabeled compounds, so that mass balance, autoradiography, and preliminary metabolism studies may be conducted. Whole-body autoradiography may help to identify specific xenobiotic localisation or retention sites revealing the site of toxicity or provide an insight toward the mechanism of action for xenobiotics. Some examples on the usefulness of this technique in the field of Environment and Health are illustrated. It is noted the application of these experimental studies using animals in the conception of certain biological and medical studies regarding internal contamination of fissionable elements.