Ferrous and ferric iron accumulates in the brain of aged Long-Evans Cinnamon rats, an animal model of Wilson's disease.
The Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rat, which accumulates excess copper (Cu) in its liver, is an animal model of Wilson's disease. We evaluated and compared the distributions of Cu, ferrous (Fe2+), and ferric (Fe3+) iron in four-brain regions, namely, in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, substantia nigra (SN), and striatum of LEC and Long-Evans Agouti rats at 30 and 55 weeks. Cu levels were elevated in the striatum of LEC rats, and Fe2+ and Fe3+ were higher in the striatum and SN of LEC rats. Ratios of Fe2+ to Fe3+ were > 1 in four regions, and were highest in the striatum and SN of LEC rats. Cu and iron levels were found to be augmented during aging, and we suggest that these accumulations may exert deleterious effects in aged LEC rats. This study is the first report that demonstrates regional differences of Fe2+ and Fe3+ accumulation in the brain of aged LEC rats. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms of Cu and iron accumulations and of their effects.
Kim
Jong-Min
JM
Department of Neurology, Seoul National University, Bundang Hospital, South Korea.
Ko
Sang-Bae
SB
Kwon
Seon-Joo
SJ
Kim
Hyun-Jung
HJ
Han
Moon-Ku
MK
Kim
Dong Woon
DW
Cho
Sa Sun
SS
Jeon
Beom S
BS
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D006527:Hepatolenticular Degeneration / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D020332:Rats, Inbred LEC
D002614:Chelating Agents; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D003300:Copper; D008668:Metallothionein