Author
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Klevay, Leslie |
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Submitted to: Trace Elements in Man and Animals International Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 5/18/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Cholesterotropic and cuprotropic chemicals are those that modify both the metabolism of cholesterol and the utilization of copper. Young rats were fed a diet with either the required amount of iron or an excess of iron. When dietary copper was similar in concentration to the average U.S. diet, increased dietary iron raised blood cholesterol and produced enlarged hearts while decreasing copper in heart and liver. Increasing dietary copper by 25% prevented some of the ill effects of higher iron. It was inferred that some of the harmful effects of iron overload may be caused by the induction of mild copper deficiency; iron can be cholesterotropic and cuprotropic when dietary copper is marginal. Hereditary iron overload occurs in some poeple. Excessive oral intakes of iron and excessive blood transfusions can lead to iron overload. Technical Abstract: Cholesterotropic and cuprotropic chemicals are those that modify both the metabolism of cholesterol and the utilization of copper. Young rats were fed a diet with either the required amount of iron or an excess of iron. When dietary copper was marginal, but not deficient, or 2.0 mg/kg, excess dietary iron raised blood cholesterol and produced enlarged hearts while decreasing copper in heart and liver. Because dietary copper at 2.5 mg/k prevented some of the ill effects of high iron, it was inferred that some of the harmful effects of iron overload may be caused by the induction of mild copper deficiency; iron can be cholesterotropic and cuprotropic when dietary copper is marginal. |
