Beryllium and intestinal absorption

Abstract

The absorption of glucose from the intestine of the rat was diminished in the presente of 10-1 M beryllium sulphate; the average decrease found was 34 percent, under the conditions used there is no precipitation of inorganic phosphorus intestinal contents because the 10-1 M beryllium sul­phate solutions are more acid that the pH 5,6 at which beryllium phosphate precipitation has been found to begin. Alkaline phosphatase activily of the homogenates of the intestinal segments in which experiments of absorlion with beryllium were periornied appeared to be inhibited nearly 80 percent. No significant reactivation was obtained by incubationuith 10-3 magnesiuin sulphate, but a considerable one was obtained by incubation with 5x10-3 M manganese sulphate.

10 mg. of beryllium (as the sulphate) in a diet containing only about 0.5 mg. P was administered daily to rats for periods up to one week. No symptoms of intoxication were appreciated. Neither did any abnormality in the ability of the intestine for glucose absorption appear. Jejunum alkaline phosphatase appeared slightly diminislied with respect to the Controls, but increased with respect to normal fed animals. The increase in alkaline phosphatase of the small intestine of rats by the experimental diet must be due to its high proportion of fat (10 %).