Page 14 - PR 2014 2016 07 Nuclear Science and Technology

156 Nuclear Science and Technology | Progress Report

the restorers of cultural heritage objects. The has increased in past years with the goal of
tomography along with the other important adding advantages and simplifications, com-
neutron imaging techniques such as the one pared to the procedures used in conventional
of “real-time” to investigate dynamic processes clinical practice. Specifically, in this study, a
of liquids, to evaluate water distribution into portable X-ray spectrometer with Ag X-ray
Hydrogen fuel cells (proton exchange mem- mini-tube has been employed for evaluation
branes - P.E.M.), positioning of rubber o’rings of inorganic elements in whole blood in mice
into metal devices, evaluation of adhesive species with Muscular Dystrophy. This disease
distribution in several kind of materials and is characterized by presenting an irreversible
others, demonstrate the wide application progressive degeneration of skeletal muscle.
of the neutron imaging techniques in sev- This happens because this disorder is caused
eral research fields, which are available at by a mutation located in humans on the X
IPEN-CNEN/SP. chromosome, i.e., considering that the female
has two X chromosomes and the male only
Radiation Spectroscopy one, males are affected while in females both

and Spectrometry chromosomes must be mutated to be affected,

laboratory so the incidence is significantly lower. For this
reason, most females are the DMD carriers.
Currently, no effective treatment is available
The Radiation Spectroscopy and Spectrometry and the muscular dystrophy research prog-
laboratory (LEER) at IPEN focuses its activi- ress depends on animal models. Usually the
ties in measurement of radiations applied to conventional procedures for clinical tests are
health and environment areas. Analysis of performed in serum using samples of 0.5 to
biological materials in humans and animal 1.0 mL. However, when the biological mate-
models were performed to obtain reference rial is scarce (case of small size animal model,
values for use in diagnosis of different patholo- i.e. mice), the possibility to use whole blood
gies. These data are relevant to both veterinary became a fascinating alternative for clinical
medicine and to public health areas. These practice: the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluo-
investigations are performed using Neutron rescence (EDFRX) analyses can be done using
Activation Analysis (NAA) and X -Ray Flores- 50 μL (the total body blood in mice is around
cence (XRF) analytic techniques. In this period, 1.0 mL). In this study, we investigated whole
several investigations in veterinary and sport blood samples of three dystrophic mice strains:
medicine, immunology, genetic and nutrition- Dmd mdx /J, SJL/J and A/J. This alternative pro-
al fields were performed in collaboration with cedure was capable, in a few minutes, to de-
several Research Center: Instituto Butantan, termine inorganic elements of clinical rele-
UNISA, UNICAMP, IFUSP, UFF, FEI, IQSC-USP, vance (such as: Ca, Cl, K, Fe, P) in whole blood
CEGH-IBC and HU/USP. The following studies without chemical digestion using direct and
were conducted: non-destructive analysis. The knowledge of
the elemental composition in whole blood of
Whole blood differences of inorganic these animal models may help to identify the
elements in dystrophic animal models physiologic difference among them. Moreover,
these data can also be useful for biochemistry
The use of alternative analytical techniques to analyses contributing to studying in more
investigate specific electrolytes in body fluids details the anomalies caused by DMD.

Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares