Abstract
Age and sex dependencies of iron. calcium and zinc levels in liver, kidney and spleen were investigated in male and female mice (3-12 weeks old). To clarify the age and sex dependencies of responses to dextran sulfate treatment. 4- and 12-week-old mice were injected intraperitoneally with dextran sulfate and killed 24 h later. The most striking change was observed in splenic iron level. The level increased with age and a five (male)- or eight (female)-fold increase was observed within the experimental period. Dextran sulfate treatment produced a marked decrease of the splenic iron level and the response was larger in 12-week-old mice. The alterations of metal levels after dextran sulfate treatment in the supernatant and precipitated fractions were also studied.
