Distribution of nickel and cytogenetic changes in poisoned rats.

The effect of dose and duration of exposure on the relative distribution of nickel in the vital organs and bone of albino rats was investigated. The rate of accumulation of the metal, in general, was highest in myocardium and spleen followed by kidney, bone and other tissues. The sub-cellular fractionation of myocardium revealed higher metal localization in nuclear and mitochondrial fractions than in the microsomal and cytosolic fractions. However, the uptake of metal by various tissues and its sub-cellular distribution was regulated by the dose and duration of exposure. No significant chromosomal damage was observed in either the bone marrow or the spermatogonial cells in the animals during early nickel intoxication.