EFFECT OF DIETARY IRON-DEFICIENCY ON THE DISPOSITION OF NICKEL IN RATS

Nickel was given orally to iron-deficient and iron-sufficient rats and the levels of the metal in various tissues were examined at several t ime intervals. The results showed higher levels of nickel in the tissu es of the iron-deficient rats, as compared to the iron-sufficient ones , 3, 6, 24, 48 and 120 h following gastric intubation of the metal. Th e results also showed higher levels of the metal in some tissues of ir on-deficient rats than in iron-Sufficient ones 24 h after intra-perito neal nickel administration. A lower urinary excretion of nickel was ob served in the iron-deficient rats given the intraperitoneal injections , as compared to the iron-sufficient animals. Our results indicate tha t nickel, at least in part, is taken up by the absorptive mechanism fo r iron in the intestinal epithelium. In addition, the iron-status appe ars to affect the uptake of nickel from the blood into the tissues. (C ) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.