Effects of Long-term Administration of Basic Cupric Carbonate on Heme Biosynthetic Enzymes in Rat Erythropoietic Tissues

Studies on the Toxicity of Green Patina (Basic Cupric Carbonate) III

Abstract

The activities of δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase, ALA dehydratase and porphobilinogen (PBG) deaminase among heme biosynthetic enzymes were determined in bone marrow cells and peripheral blood of rats administered basic cupric carbonate at doses of 0, 70, 220, 670 and 2, 000ppm in the diet for 12 months. The activities were all significantly increased in male rats at doses of 670 and 2, 000ppm, but not in female rats. The result shows that there are sex differences in the toxicological effects of basic cupric carbonate on the heme biosynthetic pathway in erythropoietic tissues.