Gastrointestinal absorption of inorganic mercuric compounds in vivo and in situ.

The absorption of inorganic mercury in rats was studied by using ligated gastrointestinal segments and perfusion of small intestine. Poorly soluble mercuric oxide (HgO) as well as mercuric chloride (HgCl2) was absorbed from the ligated segments in the following order: duodenum greater than stomach = jejunum = ileum. The ligation of bile duct decreased the duodenal absorption of HgCl2, while no change was observed in that of HgO. In the bile duct-ligated rats, the coadministration of bile increased the absorption of HgCl2 compared to that in rats without the ligation. The absorption of HgCl2 was increased with an increase of pH of the solution perfused into small intestine. These results suggest that the alkalinity of bile promotes the absorption of HgCl2.