Wikipedia:Requests for mediation/Depleted uranium and related articles/Nephrotoxicity

To what extent is uranium nephrotoxic?

The LD50/30 of uranyl nitrate (which has less uranyl ion per unit of mass than uranium trioxide) is 2.1 mg/kg in rabbits, 12.6 mg/kg in dogs, 48 mg/kg in rats, and 51 mg/kg in guinea pigs and albino mice (Gmelin Handbook of Inorganic Chemistry, 8th edition, English translation (1982) vol. U-A7, pp. 312-322.) --James S. 08:07, 28 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Depends on the dose and solubility of uranium in the exposure.
Nephrotoxic effects are less important in insoluble compound exposures.
Nephrotoxicity is less important (though detectable) in chronic exposures.
Nephrotoxicity is very important in acute exposures to soluble uranium compounds.
Nephrons aren't especially suseptible to uranium toxicity, based on a given uranium concentration. But because the kidneys concentrate the urine (and with it the uranium)they are probably the most sensitive and likely to fail organ in a large acute exposure to soluble uranium compounds.
At small exposures, no pathological effects will be detectable
At higher doses, transient effects will be detectable. (confirmed by small human trials of dubious ethicality)
At yet higher doses, permanent renal damage will occur. (based on animal models)
At higher yet doses, renal failure and death will occur. (based on animal models)
Mice exposed dermally to massive amounts of uranium trioxide die of renal failure.

Dr U 06:32, 1 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]