Toxicity of platinum group metals in chick embryo tibiotarsi by micro-Raman spectroscopy

Abstract

<p>Platinum group metals (PGMs) have been shown to accumulate in various tissues of organisms but their toxicity is not well-known. Raman spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique that enables direct and nondestructive chemical characterization of bone tissues and can also address tissue heterogeneity issues. PGMs were injected into chick embryos in the following concentrations: 0.1, 1.0,5.0, or 10.0 ppm solutions of Pt (IV), Rh (III), Pd (II) or PGMs mixtures. The micro-Raman maps recorded on the paraffin embedded tibiotarsus cross-sections showed significant changes in the chemical composition and structure of the bone tissue as a result of PGMs exposure of 1 ppm or higher (i.e., anomalous calcium inclusions impeding circulation in cartilage matrix). The following bone properties were analyzed and quantified: a) age of mineral crystals and carbonate content, b) degree of mineralization of the collagen matrix and possible losses in the organic/inorganic bone components and c) mineral crystallinity. The xray fluorescence images indicated a qualitative decrease in the calcium and phosphorus content across the tibiotarsi surface with the increase in the PGM amount.</p><p>This presentation occurred at the Wright State University Campus-Wide Celebration of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities on April 16, 2010</p>