Factors Affecting the Toxicity of the Element Indium

Abstract

Hydrated indium oxide is 40 times more toxic than ionic indium, when expressed as lethality per quantity of metal injected.

Ionic indium is nephrotoxic, causing damage in the proximal portion of the proximal convoluted tubule. In this respect, it resembles the element mercury. At extremely high doses, ionic indium causes focal necrosis in the liver.

Hydrated indium oxide causes damage to those organs which contain phagocytic cells which clear the insoluble particles from the blood after i.v. injection. Actual focal necrosis was found in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Damage was also found in the thymus and lymph nodes. At extremely high doses, damage was observed in the proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney.

Hydrated indium oxide caused extensive haemorrhage and marked thrombocytopenia. Fibrin thrombi were observed in the liver.

The increase in toxicity of indium resulting from phagocytosis of insoluble oxides by the reticuloendothelial system may represent a general mechanism by which the toxicity of certain heavy metals is increased.

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Figs. 7-9
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