Young and Old Rats Have Different Strategies of Metabolic Adaptation to Cu-Induced Liver Fibrosis

Abstract—We investigated the role of pro- and antioxidant and immune systems in age-related adaptive reactions to chronic exposure to toxicants (copper ions). For this purpose, we administered multiple doses of copper sulfate to younger and older rats in order to induce liver fibrosis and then measured the parameters of pro- and antioxidant and immune systems and physiological indices. It was found that Cu-induced liver fibrosis was accompanied by oxidative stress and a significant reduction in cell-mediated immune activity. If oxidative stress was eliminated by the administration of exogenous antioxidants (mix factor), the physical capacity, body weight, and content of red blood cells in rats with fibrosis was recovered. The parameters of cell-mediated immune response recovered more effectively in older animals than in younger ones. The metabolic strategies of adaptation to toxic exposure were different in younger and older animals.