The effect of manganese administration, alone or combined with zinc, mercury and cadmium, on the tissue levels of these elements in rats.

Manganese chloride was administered alone or in combination with zinc chloride, mercuric chloride and cadmium chloride i.p. to rats for 30 days to investigate the effect of interaction of these elements on their content in brain, liver and kidney. Significant changes in the accumulation of these metals after combined exposure indicated that metabolic interactions occur. Alterations in the tissue contents of manganese, zinc, mercury and cadmium after combined administration may reflect changes at the absorptive sites or in excretory pattern.