Microscopy and microanalysis study of the indium (In) behavior in the intestinal mucosa, the liver, the kidney and the testicle.

Several studies have demonstrated that In used in medicine has several impacts on organs like spleen and lungs after its systemic administration. In the present study, ultrastructural and microanalytical methods were used to investigate the impact of the presence of this element in the intestinal mucosa, the liver, the kidney and the testicle after its administration in two ways. After intraperitoneal administration, In was selectively concentrated in the lysosomes of hepatocytes, of tubular proximal convoluted cells and of Sertoli and Leydig cells. After intragastric administration, ultrastructural study showed that this element was concentrated in the lysosomes of duodenal enterocytes. Microanalytical methods showed that In was precipitated in those organelles in the form of insoluble phosphate salts. Similarly to other studies, it seemed that since In is a foreign element for the organism, it was precipitated in lysosomes, very probably due to the activity of an intralysosomal enzyme the acid phosphatase, to avoid its invasion to organism via the blood. This mechanism of precipitation of the mineral elements is of great interest in the process of defensive reaction of the organism against intoxication by foreign elements.