Ferrous and ferric iron accumulates in the brain of aged Long-Evans Cinnamon rats, an animal model of Wilson's disease

The Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rat, which accumulates excess copper (Cu) in its liver, is an animal model of Wilson's disease. We evaluated and compared the distributions of Cu, ferrous (Fe2+), and ferric (Fe3+) iron in four-brain regions, namely, in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, substantia nigra (SN), and striatum of LEC and Long-Evans Agouti rats at 30 and 55 weeks. Cu levels were elevated in the striatum of LEC rats, and Fe2+ and Fe3+ were higher in the striatum and SN of LEC rats. Ratios of Fe2+ to Fe3+ were >1 in four regions, and were highest in the striatum and SN of LEC rats. Cu and iron levels were found to be augmented during aging, and we suggest that these accumulations may exert deleterious effects in aged LEC rats. This study is the first report that demonstrates regional differences of Fe2+ and Fe3+ accumulation in the brain of aged LEC rats. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms of Cu and iron accumulations and of their effects.