Tissue-specific accumulation of hepatic zinc metallothionein following parenteral iron loading

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3181/00379727-176-41888· OSTI ID:5551938

McCormick, C C

The synthesis in various tissues of the unique metal-binding protein, metallothionein, can be influenced by the administration of certain trace elements. Zinc and cadmium, both of which bind to metallothionein, are most widely recognized as potent inducers. Preliminary results in our laboratory suggested that iron loading causes a marked accumulation of hepatic zinc metallothionein. In this report the effects of parenteral iron administration on metallothionein concentration in various tissues are presented. Male chicks (300-350 g) received (ip) either a single injection (+1 Fe) of iron (10 mg Fe/kg, as FeCl/sub 3/), two injections (+2 Fe) given 24-hr apart, three injections (+3 Fe) each given 24-hr apart, or an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline (control). Twenty-four hours following the final injection, chicks were killed and tissues analyzed for cytoplasmic zinc and metallothionein (Zn-MT). The parenteral administration of ferric iron, FeCl/sub 3/, resulted in a marked tissue-specific accumulation of zinc as metallothionein. In chicks given +2 Fe, hepatic Zn-MT increased more than 10-fold with a third injection (+3 Fe) causing no further change. The concentration of Zn-MT in renal and pancreatic tissue was unaffected by iron loading. An increase in hepatic Zn-MT was evident prior to detectable changes in total hepatic iron. The administration of other ferrous iron compounds at a similar rate produced comparable changes in hepatic Zn-MT. Feeding excess dietary iron, however, had no effect on liver Zn-MT levels even though similar hepatic iron concentrations were attained. Results indicated that parenteral administration, but not feeding, of various iron compounds causes a marked increase in zinc metallothionein, specifically in liver tissue.

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY
• OSTI ID: 5551938
• Journal Information: Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med.; (United States) Vol. 176:1; ISSN PSEBA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL LOCALIZATION
BIRDS
BODY
CHICKENS
DATA
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELEMENTS
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FOWL
GLANDS
INFORMATION
INJECTION
INTAKE
INTRAPERITONEAL INJECTION
IRON COMPOUNDS
KIDNEYS
LIVER
METALLOPROTEINS
METALLOTHIONEIN
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORAL ADMINISTRATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PANCREAS
PROTEINS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES
ZINC