Regulation of hepatic copper in the rat by the adrenal gland

Abstract

The concentration of hepatic copper in the adult rat is increased above control values (17%, P < 0.05) 6 weeks following adrenalectomy. At the same time, renal copper is decreased (23%, P < 0.01) and ceruloplasmin (serum oxidase activity) is increased. Administration of deoxycorticosterone or hydrocortisone for 1–2 weeks does not affect the concentration of hepatic copper or serum ceruloplasmin in the intact rat. A role of the adrenals in the metabolism of copper is observed in animals in positive copper balance, achieved by administering Cu2+ intraperitoneally; greater amounts of copper accumulate in the liver of adrenalectomized rats than sham-operated animals. Furthermore, the rate of elimination of the excess copper from the liver of copper-injected rats is reduced following adrenalectomy. 11-Hydroxycorticosteroids have a limited but favorable effect on this process; deoxycorticosterone treatment results in higher concentrations of hepatic copper in such animals.