PIXE measurement on element movement in blood, liver and kidneys of Rb-treated rats

The movement of K, Ca, Fe, Zn and Rb concentrations was investigated by the PIXE (particle induced X-ray emission) method for blood, liver and kidneys collected from rats administered Rb through an intraperitoneal injection. The Rb concentrations showed a prominent increase 7–8 days after the injection and a recovery to normal values a month after the injection for every sample studied, while the movement of other elements was less evident. There seemed to be no possible correlations between Rb and K concentrations, which is in contrast to the previous results suggesting a strong exchange effect between Rb and K concentrations for the autoptic human kidneys.