Copper deficiency and erythrocuprein (2Cu, 2Zn-superoxide dismutase).

The activities of 2Cu,2Zn-superoxide dismutase, ferroxidase (ceruloplasmin), catalase and glutathione peroxidase were measured in the blood of rats during copper depletion. Two control groups of animals were used; one received the regular diet containing all essential components including copper and the other group was maintained on a diet, containing 1% the amount of copper in normal diet, copper being supplied as Cu(Leu)2 in the drinking water. Both groups showed no detectable differences, either in the copper content of blood or in the measured four enzymic activities. Excessive copper (injected intraperitoneally) caused only an insignificant rise in the enzymic activities (0-10%) compared to either control. After starting copper depletion ferroxidase activity decreases to 15% on the 15th day, while the 2Cu,2Zn-superoxide dismutase activity decreases to 40% on the 45th day. Ferroxidase activity shows rapid but transient changes immediately after perturbation in plasma copper levels. By contrast, the 2Cu,2Zn-superoxide dismutase activity more closely parallels the overall copper deficiency. Dietary repletion with copper raises the 2Cu,2Zn-superoxide dismutase activity to 94% and the ferroxidase activity to 80% of the control values within 36 h. Apart from the copper-dependent anemia catalase activity was decreased. However, 15 days after the start of the copper depletion catalase activity rises again and reaches the control value on the 40th day and a 30% stimulation was even seen on the 58th day. Upon copper repletion catalase activity reaches 166% of the control within 14 days. No copper-dependent differences of glutathione peroxidase activity were seen regardless whatever copper level was present in the rats.