While oxine-copper (OxCu) is generally used as an agricultural fungicide and induces a harmful effect on ecosystems, little information is available regarding a toxic effect of OxCu on mammals. In this article, we examined in vivo induction of toxicity and change of levels of glutathione and ascorbic acid, major biological antioxidants, lipid peroxide and copper (Cu) in liver and kidney 4 h and 24 h after intraperitoneal administration of OxCu at a low dose (0.05 mmol/kg) to mice. Increased hepatic ascorbic acid and Cu levels were found at 4 h after the treatment. In addition, body weight change was lowered and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity was elevated significantly compared to control at 24 h after the treatment, suggesting induction of systemic and hepatic toxicity respectively. These were accompanied by lowered lipid peroxide level and enhanced glutathione, ascorbic acid and Cu levels in the mouse liver. On the other hand, OxCu induced no elevation in serum urea nitrogen concentration 4 h and 24 h after the treatment, suggesting no induction of nephrotoxicity, accompanied by no change in renal lipid peroxide, glutathione, ascorbic acid and Cu levels. These results suggest that hepatic Cu elevation may induce hepatotoxicity and no renal Cu elevation may lead to no induction of nephrotoxicity after the treatment with OxCu.
