Copper metabolism in the acute inflammatory process and its possible significance for a novel approach to the therapy of inflammation.

The concentration and the total content of copper were evaluated in plasma, blood cells, liver and kidney of normal rats and in rats inflamed by intrapleural injection of carrageenan. The experimental disease was followed from zero time up to 10 days after the irritant injection. A statistically significant increase of copper concentration in both plasma and blood cells compartments was measured between zero and 72 h, followed by a prompt return to normal copper levels. On the contrary, copper concentration and total copper content of the liver did not vary throughout the experiment, whereas in the kidney both parameters were found slightly higher than normal 6, 8 and 10 days after the injection of the irritant. These observations are briefly discussed, and proposed as a valuable background to outline new strategies for anti-inflammatory therapy.