Co-reporter:Yue-Nan Liu;Sheng-han Wang;Tao Li;Qin Wang;Wei Tu;Kun Cai
Archives of Toxicology 2011 Volume 85( Issue 9) pp:1133-1140
Publication Date(Web):2011 September
DOI:10.1007/s00204-010-0639-0
Shiga toxin type 2, a major virulence factor produced by the Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli, is a potential toxin agent of bioterrorism. In this study, iodine-125 (125I) was used as an indicator to describe the in vivo Stx2 biodistribution profile. The rats were injected intravenously (i.v.) with 125I-Stx2 at three doses of 5.1–127.5 μg/kg body weight. Stx2 had a short distribution half-life (t1/2α, less than 6 min) and a long elimination half-life in rat. The toxicokinetics of Stx2 in rats was dose dependent and nonlinear. Stx2 concentrations in various tissues were detected at 5-min, 0.5-h, and 72-h postinjection. High radioactivity was found in the lungs, kidneys, nasal turbinates, and sometimes in the eyes, which has never been reported in previous studies. In a preliminary assessment, lesions were found in the kidney and thymus.