Effect of ceruloplasmin on plasma iron in copper-deficient swine.

RAGAN, H. A., S. NACHT, G. R. LEE, C. R. BISHOP, AND G. E. CARTWRIGHT. Effect of ceruloplasmin on plasma iron in copper-deficient swine. Am. J. Physiol. 217(5) : 1320-1323. 1969.-The administration of homologous ceruloplasmin to copper-deficient swine with adequate iron stores resulted in a rapid, marked, and sustained increase in plasma iron concentration. An amount of inorganic copper equivalent to that contained in the ceruloplasmin produced only a minimal, transient increase in plasma iron. Ferrokinetic studies following ceruloplasmin infusion indicated that the increase in serum iron resulted from an increase in the rate of flow of iron into plasma. These studies support the hypothesis that ceruloplasmin, possibly because of its ferroxidase activity, directly affects the transfer of iron from cells to plasma.