Nickel absorption and distribution from rat small intestine in situ

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.