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 given 203Pb, 203Hg, 59Fe, 64Cu, 65Zn or 45Ca 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. Lactate production by duodenal mucosa was halved after 12 h of food deprivation but galactose absorption was little changed after a 40 h fast.