Skip to main content
Log in

Copper and zinc status in rats with acute inflammation: focus on the inflamed area

  • Published:
Agents and Actions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Status of copper and zinc in plasma, blood cells, liver and hind paws (sectioned at the tibio-tarsal joint) were evaluated in rats with carrageenan-induced paw-oedema; moreover, concentrations of copper and zinc in the supernatant and cell fractions obtained from exudates pooled from rats with carrageenan-induced pleurisy were also determined.

The evaluation of copper and zinc status in the blood and in the liver of rats with carrageenan-induced paw oedema, showed that only minor variations differentiated this experimental pathology from the previously studied carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rat.

In inflammatory exudates withdrawn from pleural cavity, copper concentrations were found to be higher than the basal values measured in the whole paw, whereas zinc concentrations were found to be dramatically lower.

Thus the induction of the carrageenan paw-oedema determined an increase in copper and a decrease in zinc concentrations in the inflamed paw; however, in the inflamed paw, the total amounts of both copper and zinc were found to be significantly increased.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A. Conforti, L. Franco, R. Milanino and G. P. Velo,Copper and ceruloplasmin (Cp) concentrations during the acute inflammatory process in the rat. Agents and Actions12, 303–307 (1982).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. A. Conforti, L. Franco, R. Milanino, A. Totorizzo and G. P. Velo,Copper metabolism during acute inflammation: studies on liver and serum copper concentrations in normal and inflamed rats. Br. J. Pharmac.79, 45–52 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  3. R. Milanino, S. Mazzoli, E. Passarella, G. Tarter and G. P. Velo,Carrageenan oedema in copper-deficient rats. Agents and Actions8, 618–622 (1978).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. R. Milanino, A. Cassini, A. Conforti, L. Franco, M. Marrella, U. Moretti and G. P. Velo,Copper and zinc status during acute inflammation: studies on blood, liver and kidneys metal levels in normal and inflamed rats. Agents and Actions19, 215–223 (1986).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. V. Albergoni, A. Cassini, N. Favero and G. P. Rocco,Effect of penicillamine on some metals and metalloproteins in the rat. Biochem. Pharmac.24, 1131–1133 (1975).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. V. Albergoni, N. Favero and G. P. Rocco,Copper metabolism in the rat: effects of copper loading and copper depletion. Bionorg. Chem.9, 431–440 (1978).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. M. E. Wastney, R. L. Aamodt, W. F. Rumble and R. I. Henkin,Kinetic analysis of zinc metabolism and its regulation in normal humans. Am. J. Physiol.251, R398-R408 (1986).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. M. C. Powanda,The role of leukocyte endogenous mediator (endogenous pyrogen) in inflammation. InInflammatory Diseases and Copper. (Ed. J. R. J. Sorenson) pp. 31–40, Humana Press, Clifton New Jersey 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  9. R. S. Pekarek and G. W. Evans,Effect of acute infection and endotoxemia on zinc absorption in the rat. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med.150, 755–758 (1975).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. A. S. Prasad,The role of zinc in gastrointestinal and liver disease. Clinics in Gastroenterology12, 713–741 (1983).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. P. R. Scudder, W. McMurray, G.A. White and T. L. Dormandy,Synovial fluid copper and releated variables in rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis. Ann. Rheum. Dis.37, 71–72 (1978).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. J. Lunec, D. G. Wickens, T. L. Graff and T. L. Dormandy,Copper, free radicals and rheumatoid arthritis. InInflammatory Diseases and Copper. (Ed. J. R. J. Sorenson) pp. 231–240. Humana Press, Clifton New Jersey 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  13. S. C. Sweeney,Alteration in tissue and serum ceruloplasmin concentration associated with inflammation. J. Dental Res.46, 1171–1176 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  14. R. J. Cousins,Absorption, transport, and hepatic metabolism of copper and zinc: special reference to metallothionein and ceruloplasmin. Physiological Reviews65, 238–309 (1985).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. M. J. Laroche, P. Chappuis, Y. Henry and F. Rousselet,Ceruloplasmin: experimental anti-inflammatory activity and physiochemical properties. InInflammatory Diseases and Copper. (Ed. J. R. J. Sorenson) pp. 61–70, Humana Press, Clifton New Jersey 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  16. M. W. Whitehouse,Ambivalent role of copper in inflammatory disorders. Agents and Actions6, 201–205 (1976).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. M. Marrella and R. Milanino,Simple and reproducible method for acid extraction of copper and zinc from rat tissue for determination by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Atomic Spectroscopy7, 40–42 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  18. P. L. Altman and D. S. Dittmer,Blood volumes. InBiology Data Book, pp. 263–266, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Washington 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  19. M. Di Rosa,Biological properties of carrageenan. J. Pharm. Pharmac.24, 89–102 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  20. G. P. Velo, C. J. Dunn, J. P. Giroud, J. Timsit and D. A. Willoughby,Distribution of prostaglandins in inflammatory exudate, J. Path.111, 149–157 (1973).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. E. J. Underwood,Trace elements in human and animal nutrition. 4th edition, pp. 196–242. Academic Press, New York, San Francisco and London 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  22. M. Webb and K. Cain,Functions of metabollothionein. Biochem. Pharmac.31, 137–142 (1982).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. R. A. Di Silvestro and R. J. Cousins,Mediation of endotoxin-induced changes in zinc metabolism in rats. Am. J. Physiol.247 (Endocrinol. Metal. 10) E436-E441 (1984).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. R. Milanino and G. P. Velo,Multiple action of copper in control of inflammation: studies in copper-deficient rats. InTrace elements in the pathogenesis and treatment of inflammation. Agents and Actions Suppl., vol. 8. (Eds. K. D. Rainsford, K. Brune and M. W. Whitehouse) pp. 209–230, Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel, Boston and Stuttgart 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  25. C. W. Denko, M. Petricevic and M. W. Whitehouse,Inflammation in relation to dietary intake of zinc and copper. Int. J. Tiss. Reac.3, 73–76 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  26. J. R. J. Sorenson,Copper complexes. A unique class of antiarthritic drugs. InProgress in Medical Chemistry, vol. 15. (Eds. G. P. Ellis and G. B. West) pp. 211–260, Elsiever North Holland, Amsterdam 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  27. P. A. Simkin,Oral zinc sulphate in rheumatoid arthritis. The Lancet, September 11, 539–542 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  28. A. Frigo, L. M. Bambara, E. Concari, V. Facchinelli, M. Marrella, R. Milanino, U. Moretti, C. Tambalo, E. Trevisani and G. P. Velo,Copper and zinc in plasma, urine and total blood cells of patients with psoriatic arthritis treated by zinc sulfate. Abstract, XI European Rheumatology Congress. Athens, 28th June-4th July 1987.

  29. H. H. A. Dollwet, S. P. Schmidt and R. E. Seeman,Antiinflammatory properties of copper implants in the rat paw oedema: a preliminary study. Agents and Actions11, 746–749 (1981).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. H. H. A. Dollwet, S. P. Schmidt and R. E. Seeman,Antiinflammatory activity of implanted copper. InInflammatory Disease and Copper. (Ed. J. R. J. Sorenson) pp. 347–359, Humana Press, Clifton New Jersey 1982.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Milanino, R., Marrella, M., Moretti, U. et al. Copper and zinc status in rats with acute inflammation: focus on the inflamed area. Agents and Actions 24, 356–364 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02028294

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02028294

Keywords

Navigation