Abstract

The intestinal absorption of silicone fluid 703, a methyl phenyl polysiloxane, has been studied in the rat. This silicone was chosen for the present investigation because of its lipid-like character and its solubility in olive oil.

The experimental findings demonstrate that very little, if any, silicone is absorbed when fed in olive oil. No silicone was found in the lymph lipids of cannulated rats fed the silicone, and balance experiments by recovery of the organosilicon compound and triglyceride after feeding to rats for three hours showed that 85% of silicone fluid 703 was recovered from the gastrointestinal tract, whereas 70% of the fed triglyceride was absorbed. The unabsorbed silicone was concentrated chiefly in the intestinal lumen. Balance experiments by recovery of the organosilicon compound after long-term feeding gave recoveries of 96% of the silicone. This amount was recovered entirely from the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract and the faeces. No silicon fluid 703 was found in the liver, kidneys, or fat depots. The urine contained no soluble silica.