EFFECT OF SODIUM CITRATE ON URANIUM POISONING IN DOGS

Abstract

Certain substances have been shown to protect the kidneys from injury by heavy metals. Protection from poisoning by uranyl nitrate has been obtained by sodium carbonate,¹ sodium bicarbonate² and sodium citrate,³ and from mercuric chloride, by hemoglobin⁴ and testosterone.⁵ This study deals with the protective action of sodium citrate in dogs receiving an otherwise lethal dose of uranyl nitrate. METHODS Twenty female dogs, weighing between 7.7 and 20 Kg. and appearing in good health, were used as experimental animals. Those selected were neither extremely young nor senile. The diet was a commercial preparation of dog biscuits. There was no restric- tion of intake of water. Intravenously administered sodium pentobarbital was used as the anesthetic in obtaining biopsy specimens. The uranyl nitrate was given intravenously in every instance. Sodium citrate was given by the oral or intravenous route prior to and after the injection of uranyl