Boosting Simultaneous Uranium Decorporation and Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging Efficiency by Lacunary Polyoxometalates

The chemical toxicity and the oxidative stress induced
by the internal
exposure of uranium is responsible for the long-term adverse effect
of in vivo contamination of uranium. An agent with simultaneous removal
capability of uranium and excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) is
highly desired. Herein, the lacunary Keggin-type polyoxometalate (POM)
is demonstrated to selectively bind with uranyl ions in the presence
of excess essential divalent ions and exhibits a compelling ROS scavenging
efficiency of 78.8%. In vivo uranium decorporation assays illustrate
the uranium sequestration efficiencies of 74.0%, 49.4%, and 37.1%
from kidneys by prophylactic, prompt, and delayed administration of
lacunary POM solution, respectively. The superior ROS quenching and
uranium removal performance in comparison with all reported bifunctional
agents endow lacunary polyoxometalates as novel agents to effectively
protect people from injuries caused by the internal exposure of actinides.