Inverse relationship of hepatic copper and iron concentrations in rats fed deficient diets

Abstract

Young male albino rats were fed a diet based upon equal parts of skim milk powder and corn starch. Dietary supplements included cupric sulfate, ferrous sulfate, both salts, or neither. Rats consuming the iron-deficient diet accumulated high concentrations of copper in the liver, a process that became evident only after 7–8 weeks. The rats fed the copper-deficient diet accumulated excessive amounts of iron, beginning much earlier. The hepatic concentrations of copper and iron in these experiments were inversely correlated (P < 0.01) in a complex relationship.