Abstract
Summary
1. Administration of large amounts of manganese to rats was associated with an increase in the concentration of copper in plasma and brain, a decrease in the urinary excretion of copper, a decrease in the concentration of copper in the kidneys, no alteration in the concentration of copper in the liver, and microcytic, hypochromic anemia. The total amount of copper in the body was not increased. 2. Administration of large amounts of copper was accompanied by an increase in total body copper and an increase in the concentration of copper in the plasma, urine, liver, and kidneys but not in the brain. Anemia did not occur. 3. Simultaneous administration of large amounts of both manganese and copper resulted in a marked increase in total body copper, an increase in the concentration of copper in the plasma, liver, kidneys and brain, and microcytic, hypochromic anemia. The total amount of copper in the body of these animals was twice as great as in rats given the same amount of supplemental copper alone. The concentration of copper (μg/100 g of body weight) was increased 5-fold. 4. It is suggested that manganese may form a complex with copper which makes the latter unavailable or that in some manner it blocks the action of copper-containing enzymes.
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