Effect of Excess Dietary Zinc on Iron and Copper in the Rat

Abstract

A study was made of the effect of excess dietary zinc on iron and copper in tissues of the rat. The results showed that zinc toxicosis results in an accumulation of zinc in the liver with an early and marked loss of liver iron. The data suggest that the reduction of iron is responsible for the production of the anemic condition and presumably the depression of the activity of some iron-containing enzymes. A lowered liver copper may also occur and the data indicate that it may be the result of the reduced liver iron rather than an effect of the zinc. Copper probably acts in counteracting the anemia and reduced enzyme activity of zinc toxicity by further mobilizing the iron in the liver.