Time course of arsenite-induced copper accumulation in rat kidney

Oral administration of inorganic arsenic has been shown to lead to an accumulation of copper in the kidneys of rats and guinea pigs. However, nothing is known about the characteristics and mechanisms of this organ-specific renal copper accumulation. Many heavy metals accumulate in the kidney, either after environmental or occupational exposure. An additional accumulation of any other trace metals, even essential ones, may therefore be critical for that organ. This prompted us to follow the course of the renal copper accumulation. Rats were given daily subcutaneous doses of sodium arsenite for 12 d. Each second day, three rats were killed by exsanguination and the liver, kidneys, and blood removed and analysed for As, Cu, and other trace elements by atomic emission spectrometry. Results indicate that arsenic and copper accumulate in the kidney cortex synchroneously over time. Arsenic also accumulated in the liver and red blood cells (RBC). Copper levels in the RBC and liver as well as copper excretion into the urine were unaffected. After terminating arsenite administration, there was a slow decline in tissue levels of both arsenic and copper, a phenomenon which was parallel for both metals. Because the copper level in the liver was not affected, it is concluded from this study that renal processes and not hepatic or biliary mechanisms might be responsible for the renal copper accumulation. Furthermore, the strong linear correlation (r = 0.85) between arsenic and copper levels in the kidney during and after arsenite administration suggests a functional relationship between arsenic and copper with respect to their retention in the kidney.