Effects of D-penicillamine on urinary copper excretion in high-copper supplemented sheep.
The effects of a single oral application of D-penicillamine (DPA, mean dosage 28 mg/kg body weight) on urinary copper (Cu) excretion and general renal function in six high-Cu supplemented sheep (Cu intake of 3.7 mg/day per kg body weight for 84 days) and four controls (Cu intake of 0.16 mg/day per kg body weight) were investigated to quantify induced cupruresis and the therapeutic effect of DPA as a decoppering agent. Changes in liver Cu concentration were examined before and after DPA treatment by liver biopsies. The influence of DPA treatment on general renal function was low. A 10-fold increase in renal Cu excretion was induced in both groups of sheep. Maximal Cu excretion was observed 4 h after DPA treatment, with mean values of 280 pmol/min per kg body weight in the high Cu group and 145 pmol/min per kg body weight in the controls. In the high Cu sheep, urinary Cu excretion within 24 h after DPA application was equivalent to only 0.42 +/- 0.26% of liver Cu content (mean concentration 347 +/- 124 mg/kg wet weight). Moreover, no effect of DPA on liver Cu concentration was evident. These findings demonstrate that a single application of DPA is not effective in inducing sufficient Cu loss from the bodies of Cu-loaded sheep.
Humann-Ziehank
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Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, School of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany. esther.humann@tiho-hannover.de
Bickhardt
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K
D000818:Animals; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning / Q000652:urine*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine
D002614:Chelating Agents; D003300:Copper; D010396:Penicillamine