[Experimental study of silica absorption through the digestive tract as a cause of extrapulmonary silicosis]

We have tested the hypothesis that the intestinal tract has some relation to the absorption of silica particles through the gastrointestinal mucous barrier. Its influence on extrapulmonary silicosis has been seen in experimental and clinical studies. Therefore we used male Wistar rats which were given up to six doses of 50 mg of silica through gastric tube. The animals were sacrificed at the 10th and 41st week. We have not observed silica particles in the submucosa, muscularis or regional lymph nodes. The liver and the spleen did not show silicotic nodules. Our results show that the healthy gastrointestinal barrier plays hardly any part in both silica absorption and extrapulmonary silicosis.