Copper status in rats fed diets supplemented with either vitamin E, vitamin A, or beta-carotene.
Copper status was measured in rats fed copper-adequate, purified diets supplemented with either vitamin E (250 IU/kg), vitamin A (40,000 IU/kg), or beta-carotene (2 g/kg). It was hypothesized that the extra intake of the antioxidants would spare vitamin C resulting in a decreased copper status as shown previously after supplementation with vitamin C. A significant increase in plasma ascorbate concentration was observed after beta-carotene supplementation, but not after supplemental vitamin E or vitamin A. Extra intake of either beta-carotene or vitamin A slightly, but significantly, raised plasma copper concentrations. Beta-carotene also slightly raised liver copper concentration. Supplemental vitamin E had no effect on plasma and liver copper concentrations. It is concluded that the observed relatively small effects of supplemental vitamin A and beta-carotene on copper status in rats are not mediated by changes in plasma vitamin C concentration.
Van den Berg
G J
GJ
Department of Radiochemistry, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.
Lemmens
A G
AG
Beynen
A C
AC
D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019207:beta Carotene
D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D003300:Copper; D001205:Ascorbic Acid