Disposition of nickel-63 in the rat

The urinary and faecal excretion of nickel-63 (63Ni) and the distribution of 63Ni in kidneys, liver, heart and blood serum after an i.p. injection of radiolabelled nickel chloride (63NiCl2) have been investigated. Most of 63Ni was excreted via urine within 24 h. The daily faecal excretion, though very low, was consistent up to 6 days. The uptake of 63Ni was highest in kidneys and the order was kidneys greater than serum greater than heart greater than liver, 24h after 63NiCl2 injection. However, 63Ni was eliminated rapidly from the body and there was almost no radioactivity 6 days post administration.