The aim of this work was to study the absorption of nickel chloride in rats
by means of the intestinal perfusion in situ technique at nickel concentra
tions of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 100 mg/L. Active transport and facilitated diffu
sion seem to play an important role in the intestinal absorption of nickel
at concentrations I 10 mg/L. At higher concentrations, the absorption rate
would be limited by saturation of the carriers. The distribution of the abs
orbed nickel was studied by intestinal perfusion of a 10-mg Ni/L solution f
or 30 or 60 min. Both in concentration and amount, the jejunum showed the h
igher values of absorbed nickel, followed by the kidneys and liver. When al
l of the collected organs (brain, heart, liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys, and
testicles) and blood, but not the small intestine, are analyzed following
a 60-min perfusion, it was found that 1% of the initial concentration had p
assed through the intestinal barrier.