Effect of low copper exposure on the antioxidant system and some immune parameters.
Low-level copper excess was produced in male BALB/c mice by oral supplementation of copper sulfate solution during a 19-w period. The control Group was supplied with pure drinking water and the 2 experimental Groups with CuSO4.5H2O solutions at 120 mg Cu/L or 300 mg Cu/L, respectively. Compared to the control Group, the copper-dosed animals were slightly smaller, the weight of liver was significantly reduced and liver copper content increased. Chronic copper impaired the liver antioxidant defense system by decreasing activities of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase and catalase to 14% and 11% respectively. No significant changes were observed in hematological parameters, but flow cytometry revealed altered phenotypic properties of lymphocytes: decreased suppressor (CD8+CD4-), natural killer and its precursor (CD4+CD8+) cell percent, but increased immunoregulatory index (helper (CD4+CD8-)/suppressor (CD8+CD4-) ratio). Prolonged exposure to low copper concentration had been shown a deleterious effect on both antioxidant defense system enzymes and phenotypic properties of immunocompetent cells of mice.
Vilnius University, Institute of Immunology, Moletu pl 29, Vilnius LT-08409, Lithuania.
Raimonda
R
Kvietkauskaite
Aldona
A
Dringeliene
Arvydas
A
Markevicius
Almantus
A
Siaurys
Jezefa
J
Acaite
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D019327:Copper Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D019327:Copper Sulfate