Akira Uchiumi

Sensitive detection of trace aluminium in biological tissues by confocal laser scanning microscopy after staining wtih lumogallion

This paper describes a method for the sensitive detection of aluminium in biological tissues by real time confocal laser scanning microscopy after staining with lumogallion. The method enabled detection of aluminium > or = 9 micrograms g-1 in bone and is more sensitive than the conventional histochemical methods with aluminium and solochrome azurine, etc. Lumogallion reacts specifically with aluminium to form a fluorescent complex so that the proposed method is useful for detection and identification of aluminium in tissues.

Chemical Properties of Metal Ions and Carcinogenesis

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the carcinogenic potential of metal compounds and the mechanisms of metal carcinogenesis by referring to data obtained by mutagenicity tests in bacteria, the commonly used short-term screening procedures for carcinogenic metallic compounds, and by experimental findings in laboratory animals. The chapter discusses the findings regarding carcinogenesis of principal metallic compounds in laboratory animals and the underlying mechanisms. The chapter also discusses the results of some studies on the development of fibrosarcoma with lead acetate in the rat. Metal ions bind to constituents of the organism, especially to proteins or nucleic acids, thus giving rise to irreversible damage to the biologic function, which would lead to malignant change of affected cells. The metal ions with proven carcinogenic potential have all been shown to have mutagenic activity in bacteria. The metal ions show high degrees of affinity for proteins and nucleotide bases.