Lymphatics in Intestinal Absorption of Vitamin B12 and Iron.

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Abstract
The appearance of CO58B12 and Fe59 in the blood and thoracic duct lymph after administration via gastric tube was followed in 2 dogs with cannulated thoracic ducts. Both isotopes were absorbed directly into blood stream without going via lymph. Only about 0.04% of given B12 dose and 1.3% of given iron dose passed through lymph. Peak concentrations in blood were reached 4-5 hours, in lymph 2-3 hours after administration. Direct passage to blood probably indicates splitting of large protein-iron and intrinsic factor- B12 complexes prior to absorption. Previous studies indicate that splitting of intrinsic factor- B12 takes place in intestinal wall.