Effect of orally administered hydroxypropyl chitosan on the levels of iron, copper, zinc and calcium in mice

• Two hydorxypropyl chitosan HPCS samples with different molecular weight were prepared.
• The HPCS had no acute toxicity.
• Dietary HPCS had no significant effect on the levels of Fe, Zn, Cu and Ca in liver and heart.
• The HPCS is potential oral drug carrier.

Two hydroxypropyl chitosan HPCS samples (HPCS1 Mw 1.6 × 105, HPCS2 Mw 3.5 × 104) were prepared by the reaction of chitosan with propylene oxide under alkali conditions. The median lethal dose of the hydroxypropyl chitosan was greater than 10 g/kg for the laboratory mice. HPCS1 at the 0.1%, 1.0%, 1.5% and HPCS2 at the 1.0% level in diets were used to feed the mice for 90 days respectively. No pathological symptoms, clinical signs or deaths were observed for all mice. The weights of the mice in HPCS groups and control group had no significant difference. The levels of Fe, Cu, Zn and Ca in the mice were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. HPCS had no significant effect on the levels of Fe, Cu, Zn and Ca in the tested mice's livers and hearts. However, hydroxypropyl chitosan at high dose exhibited inhibitory effects on the levels of Fe, Zn and Ca in some organizations.