Copper in kidney

Compared to animals from a reference site, muslaats (Ondatra zibethicus) from a site contaminated by copper and other chemicals have higher concentrations of copper in kidneys, smaller spleens, larger adrenals, less fat, and lower body weight. 

Copper is an essential trace element. It is required in the diet because it is the metal cofactor for a variety of enzymes (see Table 50—5). Copper accepts and donates electrons and is involved in reactions involving dismu-tation, hydroxylation, and oxygenation. However, excess copper can cause problems because it can oxidize proteins and hpids, bind to nucleic acids, and enhance the production of free radicals. It is thus important to have mechanisms that will maintain the amount of copper in the body within normal hmits. The body of the normal adult contains about 100 mg of copper, located mostly in bone, liver, kidney, and muscle. The daily intake of copper is about 2—A mg, with about 50% being absorbed in the stomach and upper small intestine and the remainder excreted in the feces. Copper is carried to the liver bound to albumin, taken up by liver cells, and part of it is excreted in the bile. Copper also leaves the liver attached to ceruloplasmin, which is synthesized in that organ. 

In birds, copper concentrations in kidneys of the willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) are positively correlated with concentrations of cadmium (Wren et al. 1994). 

In mammals, phenobarbital and phenytoin increase serum ceruloplasmin concentrations (Aaseth and Norseth 1986). Chronic copper poisoning in sheep is exacerbated when diets contain heliotrope plants (Heliotropium sp., Echium spp., Senecio sp.). Aggravated effects of the heliotrope plants include reduced survival and a twofold to threefold increase in liver and kidney copper concentrations when compared to control animals fed copper without heliotropes (Howell et al. 1991). Rats given acutely toxic doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin had elevated concentrations of copper in liver and kidney because of impaired biliary excretion of copper (Elsenhans et al. 1991). Morphine increases copper concentrations in the central nervous system of rats, and dithiocarbam-ates inhibit biliary excretion (Aaseth and Norseth 1986). In human patients, urinary excretion of copper is increased after treatment with D-penicillamine, calcium disodium EDTA, or calcium trisodium diethylenetriamine penta acetic acid (Flora 1991). 

Maximum concentrations of copper in elasmobranchs and teleosts from all collection sites range from 7 to 15 mg/kg DW in eyeballs, intestines, muscle, scales, vertebrae, heart, and gonads and from 16 to 48 mg/kg DW in gills, kidneys, skin, and spleens. They reach 53 mg/kg DW in whole animals, 155 mg/kg DW in stomach contents, 208 mg/kg DW in feces, and 245 mg/kg DW in livers (Table 3.3). 

Marine mammals usually contain less than 44 mg Cu/kg DW in all tissues except livers. Copper in livers seldom exceeds 116 mg/kg DW except in polar bears (146 mg/kg DW), and manatees, Trichechus manatus, (1200 mg/kg DW) from a copper-contaminated site (Table 3.3). Maximum copper concentrations in terrestrial mammals from all collection sites are usually less than 29 mg/kg DW in all tissues except kidneys (108 mg/kg DW) and livers (1078 mg/kg DW Table 3.3). 

Impalas (Aepyceros melampus) found dead in Kruger National Park, South Africa, had elevated concentrations of copper in livers (maximum 444 mg/kg FW) and kidneys (maximum 141 mg/kg FW) authors assert that copper poisoning is the most likely cause of death (Gummow et al. 1991), but this needs verification. Copper concentrations in bones, kidneys, and livers of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) near a copper smelter and from distant sites are about the same. However, deer near the smelter have significantly elevated concentrations of cadmium in kidneys and livers, lead in bone, and zinc in kidneys (Storm et al. 1994). 

In Poland near copper foundries, livers from cattle (Bos sp.) have higher copper concentrations (35 to 140 mg/kg FW) than cattle from agricultural regions (7 to 32 mg/kg FW) however, kidney copper concentrations are comparable for both regions (Falandysz 1993a). Cattle found dead in South Africa near a copper smelter have elevated levels of copper in liver (600 mg/kg FW ... 

Copper-induced cellular changes or lesions occur in kidneys, lateral line, and livers of several species of marine fishes (Gardner and LaRoche 1973). 

In rodents, copper administered by single intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection is lethal at 3 to 7 mg Cu/kg BW (Table 3.7). Mice died when their drinking water contained 640 mg Cu/L (Table 3.7). In rats, copper accumulation in kidneys and lungs is similar regardless of route of administration (Romeu-Moreno et al. 1994). Concentrations of copper in serum of rats (Rattus sp.) reflect dietary copper concentrations in liver and kidney are directly related to serum Cu and ceruloplasmin (Petering et al. 1977). As serum Cu concentrations rise in rats, levels fall for serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids (Petering et al. 1977). 

Some deaths. Yellow discoloration of sclera of eye passing of red-colored urine. Copper concentrations, in mg/kg DW, from sheep fed nonheliotrope diets were 1394 in liver (824 in controls) and 132 in kidney (20 in controls). Sheep on heliotrope diet had 2783 mg/kg DW in liver and 321 mg Cu/kg DW in kidney Severe morphological changes in liver, kidney, and brain tissue damage continued after cessation of copper and was sufficiently severe to lead to repeated hemolytic crises. Maximum copper concentrations at day 83 were 3289 mg/kg DW in liver (138 in controls), and 683 in kidney (15 in controls)... 

Treated rats had 1000 mg/kg FW liver (vs. 4.7 in controls) lowered hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red cell counts mean survival time of 67 days hepatic and renal histopathology Dose-time-dependent increase in copper concentrations in liver, spleen, and lung little accumulation in muscle and skin. Reduced growth at 2.5 and 3.75 mg/kg BW daily reduced survival at 3.75 mg/kg BW. Maximum copper concentrations recorded, in mg/kg FW (vs. saline controls,) were 710 in liver (<5), 212 in kidney (<10), 7 in lung (<1.5), 27 in spleen (<2.0) 6 in bone (<2.0) and 2.2 in testes (<1.6) Increased serum ceruloplasmin and white blood cell number... 

Newly weaned shrews fed diets equivalent to 2.13 mg copper/shrew daily for 12 weeks uncontaminated diets contained 25.1 mg/kg DW ration No effect on growth, survival, or tissue copper burdens kidney and liver copper concentrations increased in response to cadmium dosing 24, 25... 

Ellen, G., J.W. van Loon, and K. Tolsma. 1989. Copper, chromium, manganese, nickel and zinc in kidneys of cattle, pigs and sheep and in chicken livers in the Netherlands. Zeit. Lebens. Untersuchung Forschung 189 534-537. 

Spierenburg, T.J., G.J. De Graaf, and A.J. Baars. 1988. Cadmium, zinc, lead, and copper in livers and kidneys of cattle in the neighbourhood of zinc refineries. Environ. Monitor. Assess. 11 107-114. 

Liver damage due to copper at low Mo (20 mg/kg) diets at 40 and 60 mg Mo/kg, both metals accumulated in kidney cortex but no evidence of liver histopathology or kidney damage (18)... 

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