Adverse effects of high dietary iron and ascorbic acid on copper status in copper-deficient and copper-adequate rats.
The effects of elevated dietary ascorbic acid and iron on copper utilization were examined. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed one of two levels of Cu (deficient, 0.42 microgram Cu/g, or adequate, 5.74 micrograms Cu/g), Fe (moderate, 38 micrograms Fe/g or high, 191 micrograms Fe/g), and ascorbic acid (low, 0% or high, 1% of the diet) for 20 d. High Fe decreased (p less than 0.05) Cu absorption only in Cu-deficient rats. High ascorbic acid significantly decreased tissue Cu levels in Cu-adequate rats. High Fe with ascorbic acid caused severe anemia in Cu-deficient rats and decreased plasma ceruloplasmin by 44% in Cu-adequate rats. Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase activity in erythrocytes was decreased (p less than 0.05) by 14% during Cu deficiency but was not affected by Fe or ascorbic acid. These results may be important to individuals with high intakes of Fe and ascorbic acid.
Johnson
M A
MA
Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
Murphy
C L
CL
D000042:Absorption; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002570:Ceruloplasmin / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis; D006400:Hematocrit; D007501:Iron / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D002570:Ceruloplasmin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid