Dimethylthiourea inhibits heart weight and hematocrit changes caused by dietary copper deficiency

Conference · Mon Mar 11 04:00:00 EST 1991 · FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (United States)

OSTI ID:5373165

Saari, J T ^[1]

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1. USDA/ARS, Grand Forks, ND (United States)

Feeding antioxidants to rats in a copper (Cu)-deficient diet can partially inhibit the cardiac enlargement and anemia caused by Cu deficiency. This study was done to determine whether an antioxidant which bypassed the gastrointestinal tract was also protective and whether an agent more potent than previously used was more effective in this inhibition. Male, weanling rats were fed diets deficient or sufficient in Cu for 4 wks. Dimethylthiourea (DMTU) or saline was injected (ip) 4 times a week; minimum amount of DMTU retained during the experiment was estimated to be 250 mg/kg. Unlike other antioxidants, DMTU completely prevented the increase in heart wt/body wt ratio; like the other agents, it only partially inhibited the anemia of Cu deficiency. DMTU did not affect plasma or liver Cu content of CuD rats; however, heart copper of CuD rats was significantly increased by DMTU. The effects of DMTU on heart size and hematocrit (Hct) may be attributed to its antioxidant function, but the possibility of altered mineral status must also be considered.

• OSTI ID: 5373165
• Report Number(s): CONF-9104107--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (United States) Journal Volume: 5:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANEMIAS
ANIMALS
ANTIOXIDANTS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BLOOD COUNT
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
COPPER
DIET
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
HEART
HEMIC DISEASES
MAMMALS
METABOLISM
METALS
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
ORGANS
RATS
RODENTS
SYMPTOMS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
WEIGHT