Copper- micronutrient ( trace element)

Copper- micronutrient ( trace element)

• 2.
  COPPER Copper is anessential trace element (i.e., micronutrient) that is required for plant, animal, and human health.  Copper is an essential elements required by organisms in small quantities throughout life to orchestrate a range of physiological functions to maintain health  In humans, copper is essential to the proper functioning of organs and metabolic processes  Healthy human adult body contains 100- 150 mg of copper
• 3.
  HISTORY  Throughout history,Copper has been therapeutically used for medicinal purposes  Smith Papyrus ( 2400 B.C.), mentions using copper as a sterilization agent for drinking water and wounds.  Hippocrates ( 400 B.C.), known as the father of modern medicine mentions copper as a treatment for pulmonary disease, leg ulcers associated from varicose veins
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  DISTRIBUTION IN HUMANBODY • Μ  Total copper content of the body is estimated at 75-150mg  40% is present in muscles - 60mg  15% is present in liver- 18 mg ( major copper storage site)  23 mg is found in bones  Normal serum copper level in the body is 0.64- 1.56µg/ml.
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  ABSORPTION AND METABOLISM Diet provides approx. 1- 2.5 mg of copper per day in which 20-40% is absorbed  It is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract including stomach and intestine.  After absorption by the cells of intestinal walls, most copper bounds to proteins as metallothionein- slows the copper absorption  High intake of Iron, zinc, protein and vitamin C decreases copper absorption.  Molybdenum, cadmium, phytates, silver also inhibit copper absorption
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  ABSORPTION AND METABOLISM After absorption Copper enters plasma where it is bound to amino acids- histidine , serum albumin  Copper removed from plasma by liver , where excreted into bile or stored in protein complex-2% of copper or used in synthesis of copper containing enzyme- ceruloplasmin ( contain 90% of plasma copper)  Some plasma copper enters bone marrow –used to synthesize superoxide dismutase
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  FUNCTIONS Necessary for thesynthesis and maintenance of normal hemoglobin status and a part of many enzyme system. Many physiological functions – erythropoiesis, skeletal mineralization, connective tissue formation, myelin formation, mekanin pigment synthesis and other depending on availability of copper
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  FUNCTIONS Functions are accomplishedby enzymes that have copper as prosthetic group / participation of copper for their activity. Tyrosinase- formation of melanin Cytochrome-c oxidase- mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation Lysyl oxidase- cross linmking of collagen and elastin in supportive connective tissue Superoxidase dismutase- quenching of free radicles Monoamine oxidase- neurotransmission  It plays important role in metabolism of fatty acids , formation of nucleic acid  It is capable of binding bacterial toxins and increase the activity of antibiotics
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  FUNCTIONS Keeps nerve cellsand immune system healthy Copper in blood exists ascopper protein complex- hemocuprin in RBC and Ceruloplasmin in plasma Copper plays an important role in preventing of anemia by helping the 1) absortion of iron 2) stimulate the synthesis globin 3) release stored iron from ferritin in liver 4) ceruloplasmin copper involved in oxidation of ferrous ions to ferric ions
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  DEFICIENCY  Rare inhumans.  It occurs mainly in infants resulting in psycosomatic retardation, hypotonia, hypopigmentation, pallor, anemia, osteoporosis.  Demineralization of bones  Demyelination of neural tissue  Myocardial arteries  Greying of hair  Loss of weight  Hair thinning or balding
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  Symptoms  Slow growth Degeneration of brain tissue  Hypothermia  Seizures  Depigmentation of skin
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  TOXICITY  Copper poisoningoccurs from contamination of food with copper from containers or ingestion of higher quantities of copper salt.  Symptoms of acute poisoning- excessive salivation, epigastric pain , nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  Consumption of milk based formula foods / weaning foods stored in brass container- harmful.  Liver failure occurs with massive accumulation of copper
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  TOXICITY Chronic copper toxicityis rare but occurs in the hereditary condition called Wilson disease Failure to excrete copper in bile leads to accumulation Copper deposition in kidney causes renal damage- leads to increased excretion of amino acids, glucose, peptides and hemoglobin in urine D-penicillamine, penicillin derivative binds with accumulated copper and promotes excretion Used in the treatment of Wilson disease.  Zinc is also used
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  RDA  Desirable intakesuggested by ICMR  ADULT – 1.3mg/day  CHILDREN- 0.5-2mg/day  Indian adults consuming rice and wheat based diets ingest – 4- 6mg/day
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  SOURCES  Richsources- oysters, crab, lobster, meat  Nuts dried legumes like almonds, sesame, sunflower and soya bean – 12-37µg/g  Chocolate – rich source  Fruits , vegetables low copper content- 0.3µg/g  In seeds and other grains copper present in bran and germ- refining of flour removes most of copper