title: Decreased brain ascorbate levels in copper-deficient mice and in brindled mice.
abstract: Mutant brindled mice, which exhibit signs of copper deficiency, were compared to their normal brothers as well as to age-matched suckling mice that were copper-deficient (-Cu) because their dams were consuming a copper-deficient diet, and a fourth group of copper-supplemented (+Cu) suckling mice, which served as dietary controls. Copper deficiency, genetic and dietary, resulted in mice with smaller brains (87 and 75%) and lower levels of the serum cuproprotein ceruloplasmin (10 and 6.1%) when compared to their respective controls. Brain ascorbic acid concentrations were determined in these mice by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, and levels in brindled mice and -Cu mice were significantly lower (81 and 80%) than those measured in their respective controls. Injection of cupric chloride into -Cu pups raised brain ascorbate to levels found in +Cu mice and returned catecholamine levels to normal by raising norepinephrine from a major deficit (91%) and decreasing dopamine from an excess (22%). In another study, dietary copper deficiency was produced beginning at birth and continued for 7 weeks. These older -Cu mice had minor reductions in brain ascorbate (10%) and more severe reductions in norepinephrine levels (43%). Older +Cu mice had lower ascorbate and higher norepinephrine levels compared to suckling control mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency*; D004032:Diet; D004298:Dopamine / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine