Zinc, copper and lead levels in blood, spinal cord and different parts of the brain in rabbit: effect of zinc-intoxication.

The effect of zinc (8 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally) administration daily for 7 consecutive days was studied on the levels of Zn++, Cu++ and Pb++ in the blood, spinal cord and different regions of the brain in rabbits. It was found that with increase in Zn++ concentration there was a decrease in copper levels and an increase in lead levels in almost all parts of the brain. In the blood, both copper and lead levels were significantly decreased. No definite mechanism for the changes can be postulated. The study suggests that changes of Zn++ concentration beyond physiological limits can affect the concentration of other essential and non-essential metal ions.