Fig. 2. The influence of perfused Zn(II) concentration upon epithelial mass, retained Zn(II) fraction and absorbed Zn(II) fraction. The value for epithelial mass (g dry mass) resulting from perfusion of Zn(II)-free solutions (filled bar) is the mean ± S.E.M. of 4 experiments; epithelial mass of Zn(II) perfused solutions (open bars), retained Zn(II) fraction (open circles), and absorbed Zn(II) fraction (filled circles) are means ± S.E.M. of 7–11 experiments. Control and Zn(II)-exposed intestines were perfused for 3 h, and retained and absorbed fractions are expressed as percentage of total Zn(II) perfused over the 3 h period. Epithelial mass is the mass of material scraped from the intestinal mucosal surface and includes both epithelial cells and mucus. Retained Zn(II) fraction is the proportion of perfused Zn(II) retained in the animal, while absorbed Zn(II) fraction represents the proportion of Zn(II) retained in post-epithelial tissues (intestine, blood, body).
