The effect of adrenaline on the mineral and trace element status in rats

Abstract

Up until now, changes in biochemical and physiological parameters occurring a long time after stress are not yet elucidated. This is particularly the case for metals, some of which may considerably influence other branches of metabolism, such as bioenergetics and antioxidant defense. The aim of the current study was to investigate changes in levels of minerals (calcium and magnesium) and trace elements (copper and zinc) in erythrocytes and the liver of rats injected once or twice (modeling repeated stress) with adrenaline. The tissues were sampled 0.5 and 24 hours after the injection. A single injection of adrenaline in rats led to a dramatic increase in the levels of zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) in their erythrocytes and liver, without a return to the control level (unstressed animals) after 24 hours. The levels of copper (Cu) increased 0.5 hour after a single adrenaline injection in erythrocytes and the liver, but returned to the control level after 24 hours. Double injection of rats with adrenaline led to an increase in the levels of Cu and Zn in their erythrocytes, and Mg in the liver, without a return to the control level after 24 hours. On the other hand, the double injection led to a drastic but transient increase in levels of Mg and Ca in erythrocytes, and Cu, Zn, and Ca in the liver. Thus, injection with adrenaline results in dramatic changes in levels of minerals and trace elements, which do not return to the control level after stress. Low doses of adrenaline lead to more stable changes in levels of essential metals.