Iron and Copper Toxicity in Rat Liver: A Kinetic and Holistic Overview

Abstract

Iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) overloads in rats showed a dose and time dependent metal accumulation 
in liver with its associated toxicity. The increased contents of the transition metals markedly 
enhanced the endogenous free-radical mediated processes of phospholipid peroxidation. In 
vivo liver chemiluminescence showed an increased production of 1
O2
, and a consumption of 
reduced glutathione (GSH), the main intracellular antioxidant. Results fit with a Haber-Weiss 
type molecular mechanism in which Fe or Cu and endogenously produced O2
-
 and H2
O2
, yield 
HO•
 that initiates free-radical mediated phospholipid peroxidation and protein oxidation.