Effect of dietary D-penicillamine on metabolism of copper in the rat.

When normal rats were put on a diet containing d-penicillamine equivalent to a dosage of about 1.75 g/day in a 70-kg man, there was a prompt, marked decrease in biliary excretion of copper and of radiocopper after its intravenous administration. Urinary copper increased as tissue copper levels decreased; this decrease was most pronounced in bone marrow, kidney, lung, and spleen. Plasma copper increased and p-phenylendiamine oxidase activity increased. Fecal copper decreased modestly, which was probably attributable to decreases in food intake and biliary copper. Copper-toxic rats, already hypercupriuric, excreted more urinary copper when given d-penicillamine.