Splenectomy changes the biodistribution of pertechnetate (99mTcO4-) in rats

Abstract

Purpose: To assess if splenectomy alters the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate in organs and tissues of rats. Methods: Twelve Wistar rats were randomly allocated into two groups, A (splenectomized) and B (control), anesthetized with ketamine (50 mg / kg, IM, and sodium thiopental (20 mg / kg-IP) and operated under aseptic conditions. Group A (n = 6) rats underwent laparotomy for splenectomy and group B rats (n = 6) were only anesthetized. Both remained under postoperative observation and after 10 days they were injected with 0.1 mL of sodium pertechnetate  (0.66MBq) via orbital plexus. After 30 min, the rats were killed by an overdose of anesthetic and samples of stomach, liver, heart, lung, thyroid, bladder, kidney, brain and femur were harvested. Detection of radioactivity was determined by an automated gamma counter, Wizard Gamma Counter Ò Perkin-Elmer. Data were expressed as mean±standard deviation and Student t test was used for independent samples, considering p<0.05 as significant. Results: There was a lower uptake of pertechnetate in group A than group B in kidney, heart, lung, bladder and femur (p<0.05), when compared with controls. The liver of the splenectomized animals showed radioactive uptake significantly higher than in controls. Conclusion: According to the experimental model, we conclude that totalsplenectomy in rats resulted in alteration in the biodistribution of  pertechnetate in vital organs.