Pattern of urinary 63Ni excretion in rats

The elution profile of urine from rats given 63Ni i.p. using a Sephadex G-25 column was studied to investigate the chemical form and pattern of nickel (Ni) excretion. Ni was excreted probably as a mixture of complexes with chemical constituents of urine (molecular weight 200-250) within 24 h after 63Ni injection. 63Ni increased significantly the excretion of proteins, absorbing at 280 nm, which were not associated with Ni. The administration of N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine 24 h after 63Ni injection increased significantly the urinary excretion of the metal and restored proteinuria during the next 24 h. It could not be ascertained whether N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine enhanced urinary excretion of 63Ni by forming an excretable complex or by modifying the excretory pathway.