Nature 206, 841 - 842 (22 May 1965); doi:10.1038/206841a0

Effect of Alginic Acid on the Movement of Strontium-85 and Calcium-45 across Surviving Ileal Segments

W. MOORE JUN. & R. L. ELDER

Research Unit, Southeastern Radiological Health Laboratory, Division of Radiological Health, Research Branch, U.S. Public Health Service, P.O. Box 61, Montgomery, Alabama.

RECENTLY, Skoryna et al. ¹ reported that the gastrointestinal absorption of calcium and strontium by the intact animal was influenced by a compound polymer of mannuronic and guluronic acids (alginic acid) obtained from brown algae (Phaeophyceae). The pattern of absorption was found to be similar for the two ions, but with different rates of absorption. Following the simultaneous injection of sodium alginate along with radioactive calcium and strontium into the intestine, Skoryna et al. reported that the absorption of radiostrontium was reduced from 50 to 80 per cent, while no significant reduction was observed in radiocalcium absorption. It would be repetitious to mention the importance of such a compound as alginic acid in the area of biospheric contamination, if it would selectively reduce the absorption of strontium while allowing calcium to be available to the body.

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