The efficacy of deferiprone on tissues aluminum removal and copper, zinc, manganese level in rabbits

The effect of 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one [deferiprone (DE)] on aluminum mobilization and elimination from tissues and serum as well as the influence on the excretion of trace elements, copper, zinc and manganese in rabbits was investigated. Sixteen New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: control, Al-only and Al + DE. The Al-only and Al + DE animals received injections of Al 2(SO 4) 3 · 18H 2O 600 μmol Al/kg 5 days per week for 3 weeks. One week after the last Al injection the Al + DE rabbits were given deferiprone 750 μmol/kg/day intragastrically for 2 weeks. At the 42nd day the animals were sacrificed and the organs were taken and digested. Blood was taken from the ear artery three times (at the initiation of the experiment, before and after deferiprone administration). The aluminum and copper, zinc, manganese were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Our results showed that deferiprone could highly mobilize aluminum stores from tissues. At the end of experiment the aluminum contents of bone, kidney, liver and brain in Al + DE were significantly lower than that in Al-only rabbits. The copper, zinc, manganese contents were not affected by deferiprone administration.