Effects of Copper and Zinc Status of Rats on Erythrocyte Stability and Superoxide Dismutase Activity 1

Abstract

Summary

Erythrocytes from copper deficient rats, which had normal plasma zinc but low plasma copper (high Zn:Cu), were more stable to osmotic stress than those from controls. Erythrocytes from zinc deficient rats, which had low plasma zinc and high plasma copper (low Zn:Cu), were more fragile than those from controls. Addition of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ to normal red cells in vitro to provide a low Zn:Cu ratio increased hemolysis and peroxidation. In general erythrocyte membranes are sensitive to the concentrations of extracellular Cu and Zn. The effects are inversely related, zinc exerting a stabilizing and copper a labilizing effect. Ceruloplasmin levels increased in zinc deficiency but RBC superoxide dismutase activity was unaffected. SOD activity is suggested as a clinical index of tissue copper status.