Exocrine pancreatic function of rats consuming a high-fructose, low-copper diet

This study was designed to examine changes in exocrine pancreatic function in male rats consuming a diet containing either 62% starch or fructose with either 6.0 ppm or copper for 39 days. Copper deficiency significantly lowered pancreatic weight, copper concentration, and amylase and lipase specific activities in the pancreas and in washings from the small intestine. Significantly lower values were observed in copper deficient rats consuming fructose when compared to those consuming starch. In addition, chymotrypsin and trypsin specific activities in the pancreas and trypsin specific activity in the small intestine were lower in copper deficient rats consuming fructose when compared to all other dietary groups. Low dietary copper in combination with the consumption of high dietary fructose lead to an interaction which severely affected exocrine pancreatic function in ways which cannot be explained either by copper deficiency or dietary fructose consumption alone.