Iron, Zinc and Copper in Selected Tissues of Rabbits under Increasing Exposure to Iron

Abstract

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the disturbance of zinc/copper balance in tissues as the possible accelerating factor of liver damage after short-and long-term exposure to high doses of iron in case of its accidental overdosing or experimental haemochromatosis. Thirty chinchilla rabbits were administered Jectofer /iron (III) -sorbitol iron complex/ Short-term administration was given to groups A and B, respectively. Long term administration was given to groups C, D and E, respectively. The contents of metals in the fur, muscles, skin and liver were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).After short-term administration the highest concentrations of iron in comparison to the control group were observed in liver (about 42-46%) at each collection (p < 0.05), copper concentration in liver slightly decreased (≈23%), but increased in other tissues (by a maximum of 55%). Accumulation of zinc in fur was stable, but a decrease in other tissues like liver, muscles and skin was observed (4 -35%).After long-term administrations changes in zinc concentration were found (higher in the fur of groups C and D and in the liver in group E; lower in the skin of groups: C and E). On the other hand, the long-term administration of Jectofer caused a decrease in copper concentration in fur (23-70%) but caused a 3-to-5 fold increase in the skin of experimental rabbits.Short-term as well as long-term administration of iron affect changes of copper/zinc equilibrium concentrations in different tissues and in livers of rabbits.