Zinc, copper and manganese in the organs of rats after sublethal cyanide intoxication

Single doses of sodium cyanide (60 mumol/kg body weight s.c.) were administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of this poison on the content of the trace elements zinc, copper and manganese was investigated in various organs after 30 min, 2 h, 24 h, 48 h and 1 week. The zinc content in the liver was elevated 24 h after this sublethal cyanide dose (by approximately 20%). In contrast, the copper content in the kidneys was lowered (by approximately 15%) at the same time. Almost similar changes were observed in the same organs after daily administration of the poison for 5 days. For comparison, another group of rats was allowed to respire for 30 min the air that contained only 10% oxygen. The above changes in the trace element concentrations were not observed under these conditions. After sublethal cyanide poisoning there seemed be slight but specific alterations in the trace element concentrations in the liver and kidneys of rats. On the other hand, there were no alterations in serum, heart, lung, brain, muscle, bone or testes. Up to now there is no clearcut explanation for the development and the possible biochemical importance of these results.