Low calcium diet alters liver lipid concentrations in copper‐deficient rats

Abstract

Although copper (Cu) deficiency evokes hyper- cholesterolemia and liver iron (Fe) accumulation, the role of calcium (Ca) is not well understood in manifestations of abnormal metabolism of lipids induced by Cu deficiency. The aim of this study was to test whether low Ca diet modifies the lipid concentrations in liver of Cu-deficient rats. After 7 days pre-feeding with AIN-93G, 48 four-week-old male F-344 rats were assigned into 6 treatment groups of 8 rats in each for a 31-day experiment 2x3 factorially arranged. The treatments were supplemental dietary Ca of 5 and 1.67 g/kg and dietary Cu of 10, 5 and 0 mg/kg. After 31 days, blood and liver were collected for analysis of lipids and minerals. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA. Dietary Cu deprivation significantly decreased Cu and Ca in plasma and liver. Deprivation of Cu significantly increased cholesterol in plasma and liver, and decreased triglycerides in liver and free fatty acids in plasma. When dietary Cu was deprived, low Ca diet decreased liver cholesterol concentration. When dietary Cu was adequate, low Ca diet increased liver triglyceride concentrations. Dietary Cu deprivation increased liver Fe concentration. These results suggest that dietary Ca modifies the abnormal lipid metabolism induced by dietary Cu deprivation and that Ca has a regulatory role in liver lipid metabolism.