QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Paynter, D. I. Articles by Underwood, E. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Paynter, D. I. Articles by Underwood, E. J.

Changes in Activity of the Cu-Zn Superoxide Dismutase Enzyme in Tissues of the Rat with Changes in Dietary Copper¹

Department of Animal Science and Production, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009

The effects of dietary copper level on tissue activities of the copper containing superoxide dismutase (CuSOD) were investigated, and these activities related to those of other copper containing enzymes particularly cytochrome oxidase. Male weaning rats were fed a basal diet (containing 0.8 mg Cu/kg) or this diet supplemented with 4 or 24 mg Cu/kg. After 6 weeks, rats fed the basal diet were then repleted using the high copper diet. In the two copper supplemented groups, no differences were observed in any of the parameters measured. In these groups, tissue activities of CuSOD were in the order of liver > kidney > RBC > testis > heart > brain > lung > muscle. In the basal group, CuSOD activity decreased in liver, RBC and heart to 14, 25, and 61%, respectively, of control activities after 6 weeks' depletion; tissues other than brain or muscle showed smaller but significant changes. Conversely, heart and muscle cytochrome oxidase activities decreased to 30 and 45% of control activity and liver to 70%. With repletion, CuSOD activities in liver and heart increased more rapidly than did cytochrome oxidase activities. It is concluded that liver CuSOD activity, which is normally high, is greatly reduced with little change in cytochrome oxidase activity; the reverse is found for heart and muscle tissue. The relevance of these changes to the maintenance of tissue integrity is discussed.

KEY WORDS: • superoxide dismutase • copper deficiency

¹ Supported by funds provided by the Australian Wool Corporation, as part of a post-graduate scholarship held by D. I. Paynter.

Manuscript received 13 December 1978.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. T. Shaw, D. W. Rozeboom, G. M. Hill, A. M. Booren, and J. E. Link Impact of vitamin and mineral supplement withdrawal and wheat middling inclusion on finishing pig growth performance, fecal mineral concentration, carcass characteristics, and the nutrient content and oxidative stability of pork J Anim Sci, November 1, 2002; 80(11): 2920 - 2930. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. G. Jenkinson Analytic Reviews : Oxygen Toxicity J Intensive Care Med, May 1, 1988; 3(3): 137 - 152. [Abstract] [PDF]