Abstract

Cikrt, M. (1972).Brit. J. industr. Med.,29, 74-80. Biliary excretion of ²⁰³Hg, ⁶⁴Cu, ⁵²Mn, and ²¹⁰Pb in the rat. The biliary excretion of ⁵²Mn, ⁶⁴Cu, ²⁰³Hg, and ²¹⁰Pb after intravenous adminstration of ⁵²MnCl₂, ⁶⁴CuCl₂, ²⁰³HgCl₂, and ²¹⁰Pb (NO₃)₂ in non-toxic doses was studied in rats. Cumulative biliary excretion reached by 24 hours after administration in the case of ⁶⁴Cu 31·06%, of ⁵²Mn 26·7%, of ²⁰³Hg 3·8%, and of ²¹⁰Pb 6·7% of the administered dose. The excretion curve for ²⁰³Hg differed significantly from those of the other three metals. The maximum rate of excretion was reached at different periods after administration for each metal. The excretion of the metals via the wall of the gastrointestinal tract during 24 hours after administration was also studied. The excretion into faeces occurred mainly via the bile; to a lesser extent there was excretion through the wall, probably chiefly of the upper segments of the digestive tract.