Absorption of Mercury from Ligated Segments of the Rat Gastrointestinal Tract 1

Abstract

Summary

The ligated segment technique was used to compare the gastrointestinal absorption of methylmercury and mercury chloride in the rat. Methylmercury was more readily absorbed (15-35 times greater, depending on the absorption site) than inorganic mercury from all ligated segments. The relative order of methylmercury absorption from ligated segments was as follows: duodenum > stomach = ileum > jejunum. Differences in absorption of inorganic mercury between gastrointestinal segments were not observed. Endogenous excretion of both forms of mercury into intestinal tissue were equal. Our data indicate that the absorption of methylmercury from the stomach is significant relative to other parts of the gastrointestinal tract and that the stomach must be considered a major site of absorption.