Iron-induced metallothionein in chick liver: a rapid, route-dependent effect independent of zinc status

The induction of hepatic metallothionein (MT) by the parenteral administration of iron was studied. Iron administered to chicks by intravenous or subcutaneous injection caused a 1.9-fold increase in hepatic MT. In marked contrast, intraperitoneal (ip) Fe resulted in a 10-fold increase, thus demonstrating the importance of the route of metal administration. This route-dependent effect was found to be dose-dependent, with ip injections between 1 and 10 mg Fe/kg resulting in a linear increase in MT and a concomitant reduction in serum zinc concentration and feed intake. High ip doses of Fe resulted in a persistent depression in serum Zn and elevated MT and MTmRNA. Equimolar ip injections of either Zn or Fe showed similar patterns of MTmRNA accumulation. In both cases MTmRNA levels were elevated by 3 h, with a peak at 6 h postinjection (Fe 8-fold, Zn 12-fold above 0 h). Plasma Zn was maximally reduced by Fe at 9 h (60%). The MT induction by Fe, as well as related depression in plasma Zn, was completely inhibited by actinomycin D. Zn depletion eliminated the accumulation of hepatic Zn and MT protein following ip injection of Fe or endotoxin, but not of cadmium, despite marked elevation of hepatic MTmRNA. Our results demonstrate Fe injected into the body cavity of chicks results in a rapid induction of hepatic MT that, like endotoxin induction, is independent of dietary Zn status.