Copper metabolism in the rat: effects of copper loading and copper depletion

Variations of the copper distributions subsequent to copper imput changes have been studied in normal male Wistar rats. A fasting period (48 or 96 hr) produces significant variations only in the kidneys. d-Penicillamine administered during the fasting period induces a significant decrease of the copper content also in the liver. When injected subcutaneously. CuCl2 (1–2 mg/kg body weight) stores up first in the liver and second in the kidneys (24 hr after a 2-mg/kg body-weight injection, 80% of the copper is found in the liver and 6% in the kidneys). d-Penicillamine administered subcutaneously to animals treated with CuCl2 brings the exceeding copper of the liver to normal values within 6 hr. A prominent role of the liver and the kidneys in the copper metabolism is discussed.