Copper metabolism during acute inflammation: studies on liver and serum copper concentrations in normal and inflamed rats

1 The concentration of copper in serum and liver was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in a study performed on normal rats of either sex and in female rats with carrageenan-induced pleurisy. 2. In the normal animal, total serum copper concentration is significantly higher in female rats, and appears to be higher in mature animals in females. 3 In normal rats of either sex, liver copper concentration undergoes daily variations which are inversely related to the weight of the organ and which leave constant the total amount of metal in the liver. Moreover a day to day non-cyclic variability of liver copper concentration and liver weight was observed. 4 This first set of data showed that comparison with time control was essential. 5 In the inflamed rat, a significant rise of total serum copper at 22, 48 and 72 h after the induction of inflammation was observed. From 96 h up to 240 h post-injection no significant differences were evident. 6 Total liver copper content did not change in the inflamed rats. 7 During acute inflammation in the rat, the copper needed for the increased synthesis of caeruloplasmin is supplied without depletion of liver copper stores.