Copper

Question 1

The daily copper dietary requirement is between

Answer 1

2-6mg which is mainly obtained from red meat, cocoa, shell-fish, water pumped through copper pipes and chocolates.

Question 2

Absorbed and transport by

Answer 2

Typically 40-60% copper is absorbed by the duodenum and is transported via metalloenzymes e.g. ascorbic acid oxidase.

Question 3

Transport in plasma?

Answer 3

90% is bound to a conjugated metalloenzyme known as ceruloplasmin, 9% is bound to carrier proteins such as albumin and only 1% is free Cu²+.

Question 4

Body content of copper is about

Answer 4

80-120mg.

Question 5

Copper function?

Answer 5

Copper is involved in the process of erythropoiesis
Copper is critical for energy production in the cells
Copper is closely related to estrogen metabolism
Copper stimulates production of the neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine.

Question 6

Hypocuperaemia is associated with

Answer 6

• Anemia in infants
• Malnutrition in infants
• Menkes’ kinky-hair syndrome….genetic disorder where copper absorption -leads to a brain
• disease which then cause characteristic wiry-steel hair.

Question 7

Hypercuperaemia is associated with:

Answer 7

-Pregnancy 
− Estrogen therapy 
− Thelassemia and anemia
 − Leukemia and Lymphoma particularly Hodgkin’s disease
 − Rheumatoid arthritis

Question 8

Wilson’s disease:

Answer 8

• Autosomal recessive genetic disorder with onset in the 2nd or 3rd decade
  – Onset in children aged 4-5yrs is also reported but rarely
  – Serum ceruloplasmin and serum copper is low
  – Increased urine and tissue copper due to excessive deposition of copper in
  tissues particularly in the hepatocytes and basal ganglia of the brain leading to their steady degeneration.

Question 9

Symptom of Wilson’s disease in liver

Answer 9

liver dysfunction) Jaundice, weakness, partial hypertension, cirrhosis, anorexia

Question 10

Symptoms of Wilson’s disease CNS

Answer 10

• In the CNS: (neurological disorder) Tremor, in-coordination, ataxia, rigidity, dysphagia

Question 11

Symptoms of Wilson’s disease in cornea

Answer 11

• In cornea: Kayser-Fleischer rings (green-brown discoloration) caused by copper deposition

Question 12

Lab findings for wialsins disease

Answer 12

Low ceruloplasmin, low serum and fecal copper Increased tissue, urinary and CSF copper.

Question 13

Treatment of Wilson’s disease

Answer 13

-Lifelong treatment is recommended
-Low-copper diet - avoid shellfish, chocolate, liver, mushrooms, nuts,
and various other foods.
-Vitamin B6 supplements (pyridoxine)
-Anti-copper agents * Zinc acetate (a chelating agent for Cu, balances Cu levels) * Trientine hydrochloride * Penicillamine and D-penicillamine

Question 14

Copper Type of specimen ?

Answer 14

Serum or urine, however the collection MUST BE in metal free containers
– Hair sample can also be used particularly from patient with Menkes’
kinky-hair syndrome.
- 2-5cm long hair should be washed with acetone and digested with 70% pure nitric acid.