Lecture 7: Trace Metal Flashcards
Name the 2 classification groups for elements and description (function)
- Abundant
-Constituents of tissues
-Involved in functions of the living body through maintenance of osmotic pressure and membrane potentials.
2.Trace Elements
Micro-nutrients are chemical elements required in minute amounts
How many trace elements are there and what are the three groups?
Essential elements
Probably essential elements
Potentially toxic elements
What are the 7 essential trace elements
zinc (Zn),
copper (Cu) (3rd most common)
selenium (Se)
chromium (Cr)
cobalt (Co)
Manganese (Mn)
molybdenum (Mo).
What are the 4 functions of copper?
1.Copper combines with certain proteins to produce enzymes that act as catalysts to help several body functions.
2.provide energy required by biochemical reactions.
3.transformation of melanin for pigmentation of the skin
4.form cross-links in collagen and elastin and thereby maintain and repair connective tissues.
Copper metabolism
What proteins is it carried by?
Where are they found
Copper is carried mostly in the bloodstream on a plasma protein ceruloplasmin.
When copper is first absorbed in the gut it is transported to the liver bound to albumin.
Copper is found in a variety of enzymes, including the copper centers of cytochrome c oxidase and the enzyme superoxide dismutase (containing copper and zinc).
In addition to its enzymatic roles, copper is used for biological electron transport.
Copper Charge States
Copper forms two series of compounds:
copper (I/cuprous)
copper (II/cupric) compounds.
In the body, Copper shifts between the cuprous (Cu1+) and the cupric (Cu2+) forms, though the majority of the body’s copper is in the Cu2+ form.
why is copper good for oxidation and reduction reactions? (antioxidant)
The ability of copper to easily accept and donate electrons explains its important role in oxidation – reduction reactions the scavenging of free radicals.
Metabolism of copper in the liver, serum and stools diagram
- absorption of copper is normal
2.There is no incorporation of copper into ceruloplasmin nor is it excreted into bile
3.The excretion of copper in bile is decreased
4.The increased copper conc in hepatocytes causes an overflow of copper into the blood and thus increase in free Cu in the plasma - This causes an increased level of Cu in urine while Cu excretion in stools is reduced.
Metabolic Functions of Copper (8)
Component of a cofactor for approximately 50 different enzymes. These enzymes need copper to function properly.
- essential for iron absorption and transport.
Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, a main component of red blood cells. Therefore, copper deficiency is often linked to iron-deficiency anemia. - Required to build elastin and collagen, which are an important components of bones and connective tissues. Therefore, copper is believed to protect the bones and joints against degeneration and osteoporosis.
- Required for melanin (pigment) production. People with copper deficiency may have pale skin and hair.
- Is a key mineral for the immune system. Copper promotes wound healing.
5 Attacks free radicals
- produce the bodies energy: Copper participates on many oxidative reactions that break down fats in fat tissue to produce much needed energy.
- Needed for normal function of insulin, cardiovascular system, nervous system
- Copper is a strong antioxidant: attaching itself to the enzyme Superoxide dismutase.
Copper also binds to a protein to form ceruloplasmin, which is also an antioxidant.
What is elastin?
Elastin, is a protein in connective tissue that is elastic and allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting.
Copper Deficiencies: Symptoms or what does it cause (Limation + R)
iron deficiency anemia
- osteoporosis
- ruptured blood vessels
- neutropenia
- joint problems (arthritis)
- brain disturbances
- elevated LDL cholesterol and reduced HDL cholesterol levels
- increased susceptibility to -infections due to poor immunity
- loss of pigment in the hair and skin (Menkes’ Syndrome)
- poor thyroid function
- irregular heartbeat
- intolerability of glucose
How does Copper Deficiency cause osteoporosis
Copper works with vitamin C to help make a component of connective tissue, elastin.
The skeletal manifestations ofcopper deficiencyare due toimpaired collagen and elastin cross-linking, which ultimately result in fragile bones with increased risk of fracture
Copper Deficiency: What is the effect of Neutropenia and does copper deficency cause low or high WBC count?
Lower white blood cell counts are among the first symptoms to manifest in copper deficency
Neutropenia is abnormally low number of neutrophil granulocytes (a type of white blood cell and serves as the primary defense against infections by destroying bacteria in the blood).
Hence, patients with neutropenia are more susceptible to bacterial infections
How does Copper Deficiency impact arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. Copper’s anti-inflammatory actions may help in reducing arthritis symptoms.
Copper Deficiency: Menkes Disease
What is it?
Symptoms
Inheritance pattern?
Menkes disease (also called the kinky hair disease) is a disorder that affects copper levels in the body.
It is characterized by sparse and coarse hair, growth failure, and deterioration of the nervous system.
Signs and symptoms:
1. weak muscle tone (hypotonia)
2. sagging facial features
3. seizures
4. mental retardation
5. developmental delay.
6. brittle hair
7. metaphyseal widening.
It is a X-linked recessive disorder, therefore males have the disease, while females are carriers.
Excessive intake of copper can cause:
- abdominal pain and cramps
- diarrhea
- liver damage
Example of toxic copper intake disease and brief description of the disease AND what organs it targets AND the symptoms of this AND treatment
Wilsons Disease:
A genetic disorder characterized by copper accumulation in various organs due to the inadequate synthesis of ceruloplasmin by the liver.
Wilson’s disease primarily effects the liver, kidneys, and brain causing degenerative physiological changes (including cirrhosis of the liver, muscular rigidity and spastic contraction, and emotional disturbances) that are fatal if untreated.
The treatment of Wilson’s disease involves avoidance of foods rich in copper and any supplements containing copper and drug treatment with chelating agents that remove the excess copper from the body.
Zinc is a cofactor for?
Cofactor – DNA polymerase, alkaline phosphatase, carboxypeptidase
Zinc regulates..
TWIGCB
growth, immune system, collagen synthesis, wound healing, bone metabolism, reproduction, taste, smell & vision
Manifestations of Zinc deficiency
PADDINGS+H
Poor wound healing
Anorexia
Diarrhea
Depressed mental function
Impaired immune function
night vision decreased
Growth retardation
Skin lesions (acrodermatitis)
Hypogonadism
When do you need higher levels of Zn
(DABS)
Diarrhea
Burns
Severe trauma
anabolism
Zinc Metabolism facts
Bound to?
Where is it absorbed?
How is it excreted?
What happens during stress?
70% bound to albumin in serum
Absorbed mainly in small bowel
Excreted mainly through feces
Urinary losses important in many forms of stress, inflammation
Zinc deficency and cell mediated immunity
Play a central role in the immune system and Zn deficient individuals experience increased susceptibility to a variety of pathogens.
Affects multiple aspects of the immune system from the barrier of the skin to gene regulation within lymphocytes.
Zn is crucial for normal development and function of neutrophils and natural killer cells.
Zn deficiency prevents both the outgrowth and certain functions of T cells such as activation, Th1 cytokine production, and B cell help.
Zinc and cell mediated immunity (macrophages, T/B cells etc and cellular role of Zn)
The macrophage, a pivotal cell in many immunological functions, is adversely affected by Zn deficiency, which can dysregulate intracellular killing, cytokine production, and phagocytosis.
Zn deficiency affects the development of acquired immunity by regulating growth and function of T and B cells.
Zn is needed for DNA replication, RNA transcription, cell division, and cell activation.
Apoptosis is potentiated by Zn deficiency and Zn also functions as an antioxidant and can stabilize membranes.
Manganese Deficiency symptoms
weight loss, transient dermatitis; changes in color, and slow growth of hair; sterility
