Laboratory and histological similarities between Wilson's disease and rats with copper toxicity.

Rats were injected intraperitoneally with copper-lactate daily for over 160 days (total dose of 30 mg copper in each animal). At 120 to 160 days of copper administration, animals developed symptoms similar to those of Wilson's disease, i.e., kidney functional disturbances, proteinuria, aminoaciduria, decreased blood ceruloplasmin oxidase activity and increased urinary copper excretion. Cirrhosis was found in some animals. Tubular necrosis of the kidneys, liver fibrosis and tigrolysis of thalamic nerve cells were also found. Copper depositions were observed in liver parenchymal cells, renal tubular epithels, thalamus glia cells and on the Descemet's membrane of the cornea. The similarities between induced copper- intoxication in rats and Wilson's disease are discussed.