Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a compact neutron generator-based in-vivo measurement system to quantify total body potassium in small animals using rat carcasses.
Methods: A cohort of thirty-nine rats (n= 20 males and 19 females, average weight 255±15 and 163±7 gram), which were part of a manganese exposure study, were sacrificed and inserted in polyethylene bottles. These rats were then placed and irradiated in a carefully designed irradiation cave built beside the neutron generator with an optimized thermal neutron flux and radiation dose ratio. The irradiation time was 10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute decay and 2-hour measurement using the high purity germanium detector
Results: The average K concentration in male and female rats was significantly different (3546+/-473 vs. 2258+/-281μg/g). There was a significant correlation between potassium concentration and weight in both male and female groups (for male r(20) =.48, P=0.03, for female r(19)=.59, P=.007). We evaluated the impact of manganese exposure on potassium, and potassium concentration was not affected by manganese exposure
Conclusion: This work shows that in-vivo neutron activation analysis can be a potential way to explore in-vivo potassium storage and metabolism.
Not Applicable / None Entered.
Not Applicable / None Entered.