Studies on the influence of a Se-restricted diet on the effects of long-term increased copper intake in guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs were exposed to Se-restriction/deficiency in combination with drinking water containing 200 or 300 mg Cu/l for 6-30 weeks. Under the influence of Se-restriction/deficiency Cu excretion by bile was diminished, the Cu content of the kidneys was increased and disturbances of liver function were seen in animals exposed for prolonged periods. Some parameters of the immune system, such as the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages, mitogenicity of spleen lymphocytes and the amount of lymphatic spleen tissue were also adversely affected. These effects correlated in part with the liver damage and the copper content of the kidneys. Conclusion are drawn with respect to the Idiopathic Copper Toxicosis/Indian Childhood Cirrhosis.