The effect of oral copper loading and portasystemic shunting on the distribution of copper in the liver, brain, kidney, and cornea of the rat.

In Wilson's disease, redistribution of copper from the liver to extrahepatic tissue coincides with the development of liver disease and cirrhosis. We have considered the possibility that portasystemic shunting may be a factor determining the organ distribution of copper in patients with liver disease. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into a sham-operated group, and a group subjected to partial occlusion of the portal vein (PPVO). Half the rats in each group were fed on normal diet and the remainder had copper added to the drinking water. Rats subjected to PPVO developed large portasystemic shunts. Over a 3-month period, none of the groups showed an increase in serum copper concentrations, or copper oxidase levels. Liver and kidney copper concentrations were similarly increased in copper supplemented sham-operated and PPVO rats, but brain copper content in both groups was similar to the unsupplemented controls. In neither unsupplemented nor copper supplemented rats subjected to PPVO, was the organ distribution of copper different from sham-operated controls. This study suggests that portasystemic shunting does not alter the organ distribution, or tissue concentration of copper.