The effects of short periods of fasting on the absorption of heavy metals

Abstract

1. Rats were deprived of food for periods of from 0 to 40 h and then given203Pb,203Hg.59Fe,64Cu.64Zn or45Ca by stomach tube. The absorption and retention of these metals in tissues was measured 1 h and 2 d after dosing.2. After 16–24 h of food deprivation between two and ten times more metal was retained than after 0–12 h.3. The effects of length of fast on metal uptake by the intestinal mucosa were greatest in the duodenum.4. Lactale production by duodenal mucosa was halved after 12 h of food deprivation but galactose absorption was little changed after a 40 h fast.