Abstract
Since work from this laboratory 1 has indicated that copper is not the only inorganic element which can supplement iron to bring about hemoglobin regeneration in the nutritional anemia of the rat, the present study was undertaken to compare the influence of copper and other elements on the iron content of the liver. The experimental procedure was very similar to that employed by Elvehjem and Sherman. 2 The tissue iron content was determined by the method described by Hanzal. 3
The present report deals only with the influence of copper. The accompanying table shows the changes in the iron content of the various rat livers.
As can be seen when iron is administered to the anemic animal for 14 days there is an increase in the iron content of the liver as well as an increase in the blood hemoglobin and erythrocytes. With discontinuing the iron at the end of 14 days and giving milk only the liver iron decreases as does the blood hemoglobin and erythrocytes. When copper is given at the end of 14 days, and no iron, the liver iron markedly decreases, while the blood hemoglobin and erythrocytes increase. Copper given to anemic animals reduces the liver iron to a minimum level with a coincident increase in blood hemoglobin and erythrocytes.
It may be concluded that copper when given to anemic rats can mobilize the iron stored in the liver to produce hemoglobin and increase the red blood cells.
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