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The effect of a low copper diet on blood cholesterol and enzymic antioxidant defense mechanisms in male and female rats.

The effect of copper deficiency on blood cholesterol and antioxidant defense mechanisms was investigated in male and female rats. Diets low in copper (Cu, 0.3 mg/kg) were given to a group of male (n = 5) and a group of female (n = 5), weanling Wistar rats for ten weeks. Diets containing adequate copper (Cu, 3.7 mg/kg) fed to another group of males (n = 5) and another group of females (n = 5) served as controls. Serum cholesterol levels and erythrocyte, granulocyte, lymphocyte and macrophage antioxidant enzyme activities were compared. Only copper deficient males showed increased serum cholesterol levels compared to controls. There were no significantly differences in erythrocyte measurements due to copper status, but males had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher haemoglobin levels, and erythrocyte catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities than females. Low copper diets significantly decreased granulocyte SOD (P less than 0.01) in males, peritoneal macrophage SOD in females and lymphocyte SOD (P less than 0.05) in both sexes. Female controls had significantly (P less than 0.01) higher macrophage SOD than male controls and lymphocyte SOD was significantly higher in females. Results demonstrate sex differentiated effects of low copper diets on blood cholesterol and antioxidant defence mechanisms.