This document discusses copper and zinc, two essential minerals. It outlines their roles, dietary sources, absorption, functions and deficiencies. Copper is needed for enzyme activity and iron absorption. It is found in organ meats, eggs and leafy greens. Zinc supports enzyme action and cell signaling. Good sources are meat, fish and nuts. Both minerals are absorbed in the small intestine and excreted primarily in feces. Deficiencies can cause anemia, bone disorders and neurological issues.
5. Body contains about 100 mg of Cu.
Serum Cu:
The copper concentration of plasma is about 100-200 mg/dl
95% is tightly bound to ceruloplasmin
Rest is loosely held with albumin
Normal conc. Of serum ceruloplasmin is 25-50 mg/dl
7. Sources
Organ Meat
Egg Yolk
Cereals
Nuts
Green leafy vegetables
Milk (a poor source)
8. Absorption
About 10% of the dietary Cu is absorbed
Absorption occurs in duodenum
Metallothionein facilitates copper absorption.
Uptake inhibitors are
Phytates
Zinc
Molybdenum
9. Excretion
Under normal 85-99% is excreted in the faeces.
Remaining is excreted via urine
Retained Cu depends on the Cu status in tissues.
10. Biochemical Functions:
Essential constituent of several enzymes
Cu is a constituent of ALA synthase, needed for heme
synthesis
Helps the absorption of Fe
A copper containing protein called serum Ferro-Oxidase
II participates in oxidation of Fe2+
11. Help in the bone formation.
Maintains the structure of myelin sheath of nerves
Prevents cachexia.
Cu helps to form insoluble elastin fibers by cross linking
the soluble proelastin chains.
12. Cu deficiency:
Loss of weight
Bone disorders
Anemia
Microcytic hypochromic
Change in hair colour
Involves atrophy of myocardium
Histopathological changes in cerebrum, brainstem, and
spinal cord.
Demyelinated nerves and non coordinated movements.
13. Clinical Conditions related to Cu:
Wilson’s Disease
Low serum Cu levels
Increased excretion of Cu
Accumulation in:
Liver: Hepatic cirrhosis
Brain: Dysfunction of lenticular region of brain (brain necrosis)
Kidney: Aminoaciduria
Eye: Deposition in Descemet’s membrane(Kayser-Fleischer ring)
16. Zinc is particularly an intracellular element.
The total content of zinc is about 2 g.
Blood contains about 650-680µg/100ml
Serum Zinc:
Conc. in serum is about 100mg/dl.
Erythrocytes contain higher conc. of zinc
19. Absorption:
Mainly absorbed in duodenum & ileum
Animal source is better than vegetable source
Small peptides and amino acids promote Zn absorption
Inhibitors
Phytates
Phosphates
Calcium
Iron
20. Excretion:
In adult person about 9.0 mg of zinc is lost via faeces.
0.5 mg is lost in urine.
Trace amount is lost via sweat.
21. Biochemical Functions:
Role in enzyme action
Role in vitamin metabolism
Role in insulin secretion
Prevents dwarfism and hypogonadism
Role in wound healing
22. Clinical Aspect:
Acrodermatitis Enteropathica
Diabetes mellitus is related to deficiency of zinc in
pancreas
Has reduced amount in leukemia
Malignancies
Atherosclerosis
Hepatic diseases
23. Acute myocardial infarction
Sickle Anemia
Dermatitis
Helps regulatory proteins to bind with DNA
24. Superoxide Dismutase
The enzyme is found in cytosol of liver , brain and blood
cells.
It contains two Cu & Zn ions each.