Open AccessAbnormal Hepatic Iron Accumulation in LEC Rats
Author(s) -
Kato Junji,
Kohgo Yutaka,
Sugawara Naoki,
Katsuki Shinichi,
Shintani Naoaki,
Fujikawa Kohshi,
Miyazaki Etsu,
Kobune Masayoshi,
Takeichi Noritoshi,
Niitsu Yoshiro
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
japanese journal of cancer research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 0910-5050
DOI - 10.1111/j.1349-7006.1993.tb02859.x
Subject(s) - transferrin , medicine , endocrinology , hemochromatosis , serum iron , hepatocellular carcinoma , metabolism , chemistry , ferritin , hepatitis , biology , anemia
The LEC (Long‐Evans cinnamon) rat is a mutant strain displaying hereditary hepatitis and spontaneous hepatocellular carcinoma, and shows abnormal hepatic copper accumulation similar to that occurring in Wilson's disease. We evaluated the iron metabolism of LEC rats compared to LEA (Long‐Evans agouti) rats. Hepatic iron and ferritin concentrations were remarkably increased depending on age in LEC rats but not in LEA rats. Increased hepatic iron is normally associated with decreased serum transferrin and total iron binding capacity in hepatic iron overload. In LEC rats, however, both serum transferrin and total iron binding capacity increased with increasing hepatic iron. This increase of serum transferrin and hepatic iron may be an additional important factor contributing to liver injury in LEC rats.