THE SILICA CONTENT OF GUINEA PIG TISSUES AS DETERMINED BY CHEMICAL AND ISOTOPIC TECHNIQUES

The concentration of silica in guinea pig and cow tissues was determined by the silicomolybdic acid reaction. The silica concentration was relatively low in all tissues but was greater in hair and lung than in muscle, liver, and kidney. The silica concentration of tissues was apparently not influenced by the silica concentration of the diet. The silica concentration in guinea pig and cow tissues was approximately the same.Experiments with Si31O2 indicated that orally administered silica was rapidly absorbed and excreted. The suggestion is made that silica is present both in an organic and inorganic form and that the latter is rapidly eliminated from the body.