Copper metabolism in the LEC rat: Involvement of induction of metallothionein and disposition of zinc and iron

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Abstract
The Cu concentration was about 40 times higher in the liver of LEC (Long-Evans with a cinnamon-like coat color) rats aged 77 days (227.5±21.6 μg/g liver) than in Fischer rats (5.2±0.1 μg/g liver). However, in the kidney and brain of the LEC rats, Cu concentrations were lower than in these organs of the Fischer rats. Cu concentration in the hepatic metallothionein fraction was about 130 times higher in the LEC rats than in the Fischer rats. The LEC rats showed markedly low concentrations of Cu in the serum and bile. It seems likely that excretion of Cu from the liver into the bile and blood (as ceruloplasmin) is inherently lacking in the LEC rat.