COPPER - RELATION TO PENICILLAMINE-INDUCED DEFECT IN COLLAGEN

When rats were depleted of copper by administration of a copper-deficient diet, no abnormalities developed in dermal collagen. In contrast, marked changes were produced by penicillamine although the degree of copper-deficiency induced by the drug was less. Large additions of copper to the diet failed to prevent the penicillamine-induced collagen defect when the drug was given parenterally. The effect of penicillamine on soft-tissue collagen appears to be unrelated to its copper-chelating properties.