The effect of chitosan on copper absorption in mice

This study was carried out to determine the effect of chitosan added to drinking water of experimental mice on copper levels in liver. Sixty male CD-1 rats weighing 25-30 g, with a mean age of 6 weeks, were used as animal material. All groups consumed basal feed as ad libitum throughout the trial. Chitosan and/or inorganic copper (CuSO4.5H2O) solutions were administered to mice as ad libitum with drinking water. In the experiment, no additions were made to the water of the control group (K). The experimental groups were planned to add 60 mg / l chitosan (D1), 2 ppm copper (D2), 60 mg / l chitosan + 2 ppm Cu (D3) and 60 mg / l chitosan + 4 ppm Cu (D4) to drinking water. Feed consumption, water consumption and body weights of the groups were measured weekly and body weight gain were calculated. At the end of the 56d experiment, haematologic [ (RBC (x106il), WBC (x103il), MPV (fl), Hgb (g / l), Hct (%), RDWc (%)], biochemical (serum cholesterol and glucose) parameters in blood samples and Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn and Co measurements in liver were measured. There was no significant difference found between RBC, WBC, MPV, Hgb and Hct values of control and experimental groups. Only RDWc values (18,76; 20,03; 18,85; 18.35; 19,06%, respectively) were found to be different between the groups. Cholesterol and glucose values (110,20; 105,46; 167,91; 113,82; 117,81 mg/dl and 255,65; 283,88; 136,73; 227,17; 245,08 mg/dl respectively) of serum biochemical parameters were found to be different between the groups. Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn and Co elements in the liver were measured by ICP OES method. Liver Cu values (0,0051; 0,0045; 0,0071; 0,0048; 0,0046 ppm, respectively), Zn liver values (0,0130; 0,0165; 0,0215; 0,0165; 0,016ppm, respectively) and Fe liver values (0,1636; 0,1221; 0,1918; 0,1628 and 0,1565ppm, respectively) were obtained in the control and experimental groups. Mn and Co values were found below the measurement accuracy. Cu and Zn values were not statistically significant between the groups. Fe values were higher in D2 group compared to D1 group and similar with other groups. Addition of chitosan into the water of mice in the D1 group decreased the liver Fe level. The addition of 60 mg / l chitosan to the water did not have any effect on Cu and Zn levels in the liver, but decreased Fe levels. However, this effect was found to be eliminated when 2 ppm and 4 ppm Cu were added to the water with chitosan. More studies on the incorporation of chitosan and copper into the water are to be beneficial, in particular, it is thought that more studies will be beneficial on the effects of the use of chitosan in the form of solution in drinking water.