Bile and gastrointestinal tract excretion of 52Mn, 64Cu, 65Zn, Cd, 203Hg, and 210Pb in rats

The biliary and gastrointestinal tract excretion was studied in rats of copper, manganese, zinc, lead, mercury, and cadmium and the enterohepatic circulation was investigated of manganese, copper and mercury. Significant differences were ascertained between the biliary and gastrointestinal excretion of the metals. The metals were find to form chemical bonds with the respective bile fractions in various ratios. Zinc was observed to be excreted mainly with the pancreatic liquor. Lower enterohepatic circulation was found in metals with bonds to high molecular fractions of the bile and excreted with the bile in only a low amount. The highest circulation was observed in mangarese. (L.O.)