Cu In Blood Research Articles

The distribution patterns of trace elements in the blood and organs in a rabbit experimental model of copper pollution and study of haematology and biochemistry parameters

In a rabbit model of five copper overfeeding, we investigated the distribution pattern of trace elements of copper [Cu], zinc [Zn], chromium [Cr], manganese [Mn], and selenium [Se] in blood serum, red cell, and whole blood and in the organs: brain, gallbladder, liver, intestines, heart, kidney, lung, and spleen. Furthermore, their haematology and biochemistry parameters as well as feed consumption and weight development were also performed in this study. Changes in trace element concentrations were determined by contrast and control group. Observably, the increased concentrations of Cr were observed in the heart; that of Cu, Zn, Cr, Mn in the liver; that of Cu, Cr, Mn in the intestines; that of Cu in the spleen; that of Cu in the blood serum; and that of Cu in the whole blood. But remarkably, the decreased concentrations of Mn were observed in heart; that of Zn and Se in the encephalon; that of Cr, Mn and Se in the spleen and that of Zn in the blood serum. In the gallbladder, the concentrations of Zn, Cr, Mn, and Se were also reduced. Excessive Cu was accumulated mainly in liver, intestines, and blood serum. In contrast group, only a few changes were detected in excretion of Mn, Zn, and Cr, but increased concentrations of Cu and Se compared with the control group. For the different biochemistry parameters measured, the contrast group showed changes, mainly owing to the altered activity of enzymes induced by trace element excess and imbalance. Increased concentrations of LDL were measured in contrast group, while a substantial decrease was seen in TG and VLDL as a result of excessive Cu. Regarding haematological parameters, increased concentrations of NEUT% and EO% were found in contrast group, but considerably decreased concentrations were detected in PLT, MONO%, BASO%, MONO#, BASO#, and P-LCR, but a minor decrease was also seen in EO#. The present paper shows the effect of copper pollution in the animals and analyzes the interplay among trace elements in their bodies at length. It is significant for environment protection and toxicology study.

A molybdenum - sulfur - cadmium interaction in sheep

We determined the effects of increased dietary concentrations of molybdenum and sulfur on the accumulation and tissue concentrations of cadmium in sheep, and compared them with effects on copper. Forty sheep, each weighing approximately 40 kg, were adjusted for 3 weeks to a basal diet of 80% wheaten chaff and 20% lupin seed containing (per kg dry weight) 0·016 mg Cd, 0·45 mg Mo, 3·4 mg Cu, and 1·9 g S. On Day 0 of treatment, 8 sheep were killed and the tissues analysed for trace minerals to provide a baseline value. The remaining sheep were divided into 4 dietary treatment groups: control (basal diet plus 4 mg Cd/kg), +Mo (control diet plus 15 mg Mo/kg), +S (control diet plus 4 g S/kg), +Mo+S (control diet+15 mg Mo+4 g S/kg). The treatment period lasted 80 days, after which sheep were killed for tissue samples. Sulfur alone reduced the accumulation of Cd in liver, kidney, and muscle by 60% compared with control sheep (P < 0·05). Molybdenum alone reduced Cd accumulation by 40% in liver and muscle (P < 0·05) and 30% in kidney (P = 0·09). When provided together (+Mo+S), the effect was equivalent to feeding with Mo alone, showing that Mo blocked the effect of S. Cadmium concentrations in whole kidneys for the 4 respective treatments were 6·40 ± 0· 7, 2·8 ± 0·3, 4·5 ± 0·8, and 5·0 ± 0·5 mg/kg fresh weight. The pre-treatment concentration was 0·7 ± 0·2 mg/kg. For Cu in blood and tissues, the effects of Mo and S treatment were consistent with the thiomolybdate hypothesis, and were quite different from those seen for Cd. Copper concentrations in whole kidney for the 4 treatments were 4·1 ± 0·1, 3·5 ± 0·2, 4·7 ± 0·3, and 22·4 ± 3·9 mg/kg fresh weight. The pre-treatment concentration was 4·1 ± 0·3 mg/kg. The results show that increased dietary levels of Mo and S reduce the accumulation of Cd in tissues, and the mechanisms of action differ from those involving Cu.

Profiles of 67Cu in blood, bile, urine and faeces from 67Cu-primed lambs: effect of 99Mo-labelled tetrathiomolybdate on the metabolism of recently stored tissue 67Cu.

1. The relative importance of excretory routes in the removal of recently stored 67Cu following tetrathiomolybdate (TTM) administration was studied. Lambs fed on either 5 mg Cu/kg dry matter (DM) or 35 mg Cu/kg DM, were primed intravenously (iv) with 67Cu and challenged 27 h later with 99Mo-labelled TTM given either iv or intraduodenally (id). The profiles of 67Cu and 99Mo and of Cu and Mo in blood, bile, urine and faeces were measured. 2. Level of dietary Cu and route of administration of 99Mo-TTM affected the amplitude of blood, bile and urine profiles of 67Cu and stable Cu, but not the pattern of the responses observed. 3. The present study describes for the first time increased excretion of endogenous 67Cu through gastrointestinal secretions other than the bile due to TTM administration. 4. Administration of TTM resulted in the immediate release of 67Cu from storage compartments in the body into the blood circulation. Changes in stable Cu levels in blood, bile, urine and faeces, and gut and systemic effects were evident. Biliary and urinary Cu excretion due to TTM was rapid and maximal within 24 h of injection. 5. Administration of 67Cu iv resulted in the immediate excretion of 67Cu in bile in a pulsatile, constant pattern. A similar pattern of 67Cu excretion into bile in synchrony with that of 99Mo was observed after 99Mo-labelled TTM administration. 6. The similar pattern of biliary 67Cu excretion observed after injection of 67Cu and after injection of 99Mo-labelled TTM 27 h later is discussed in relation to the times required to process the Cu through different hepatic pathways for excretion in bile.

Profiles of 67Cu in blood, bile, urine and faeces from 67Cu-primed lambs: effect of 99Mo-labelled tetrathiomolybdate on the metabolism of 67Cu after long-term storage.

1. The effectiveness of tetrathiomolybdate (TTM) in the removal of 67Cu from the long-term storage compartment in liver was studied. Lambs receiving 5 mg Cu/kg dry matter (DM) or 35 mg Cu/kg DM were primed intravenously (iv) with 67Cu and challenged 10 d later with 99Mo-labelled TTM given either iv or intraduodenally (id). The profiles of 67Cu and 99Mo and of Cu and of Mo with time were measured in blood, bile, urine and faeces. 2. The level of dietary Cu affected the amplitude of profiles of 67Cu and Cu in blood, bile and urine after administration of 99Mo-labelled TTM. TTM administration increased liver Cu removal and this was most marked in sheep given TTM iv. The liver Cu removal from the long-term storage Cu compartment was low and was not affected by the route of administration of TTM. Endogenous Cu excretion was higher in lambs given TTM id. 3. Excretion of 67Cu in bile through the transhepatocellular pathway after TTM administration appeared absent, while the transbiliary and hepatolysosomal pathways were operative. The potential reasons for this change are discussed. 4. TTM predominantly enhances the removal of Cu from the short-term storage compartment, but effects on the long-term storage compartment may still be of significance.

Levels of lead, cadmium, zinc and copper in the blood of an urban population

Levels of lead, cadmium, zinc and copper were measured in the blood of normal children and adults of Greater Bombay, India using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The median concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu in the whole blood of children and adults were 11.54, 0.21, 484.2 and 86.2 μg dl −1, respectively. The blood lead concentration showed an increase with age. Children living in industrial zones with high vehicular traffic have significantly higher blood lead concentrations than their counterparts living in the cleaner suburban parts of the city. The mean levels of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu in blood of Bombay children and adults are compared with those from other countries.

Metabolic interactions between lead and copper in rats ingesting lead acetate

The effects of Pb ingestion with and without concurrent dietary Cu supplementation were determined on parameters associated with Cu deficiency in rats fed a nutritionally adequate diet. Groups of weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a purified (AIN-′76) diet and given Pb (0 or 500 ppm) and Cu (0, 6, or 12 ppm) as the acetate salt in deionized drinking water for 5 wk. A Pb-induced Cu deficiency resulted that was characterized by decreased levels of Cu in tissue and blood, decreased activities of the Cu-dependent enzymes, ceruloplasmin (serum) and Superoxide dismutase (erythocytes), and increased concentration of Fe in liver. These effects of Pb were prevented completely or in part by concurrent Cu supplementation. The Pb-induced decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit values and the decrease in weight gain were not prevented by Cu supplementation of the diet and can therefore be assumed to be the direct result of a toxic effect of Pb. Although Pb ingestion resulted in decreased concentration of Cu in blood and tissue, additional dietary Cu had no effect on Pb levels.