Changes in Macro- and Microelement Composition in the Organisms of Irradiated Animals

We studied the content of Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, P, Pb, S, and Zn in the liver, kidneys, lungs, and spleen of mice with total radiation dose of 7.5 Gy using atomic emission spectral analysis with an inductively coupled argon plasma. The qualitative content of macro- and microelements and coordination between their concentrations statistically determined from coefficients of linear correlation differ between the tissues of the irradiated and control animals. Radiation damage decreases phosphorus content in all studied organisms and is a marker of disturbed conjugated oxidative phosphorylation. The most significant radiation-induced disturbance of macro- and microelement balance was detected in the spleen; it features decreased content of phosphorus, magnesium, and cobalt, as well as increased content of zinc and aluminum and considerably increased iron content. The revealed macro- and microelements disbalance in spleen, liver, kidneys, and lungs can be considered as a test for primary biological response to radiation damage.