Micro Mineral 
Copper

Introduction 

Copper ( cu) is an essential trace  micro mineral in human and animals .Needed only in trace amounts the human body contains approximately 100 mg copper .As a transition metal it is cofactor of many redox enzyme. Ceruloplasmin being the most abundant copper dependent ferroxidase enzyme with a copper dependent oxidation activity.

Sources of Copper
Copper content found in Cereals, fruits, vegetables and to lesser extent Meat and animals products .Moreover the copper Concentration in drinking water may vary depending on groundwater.

Milk and dairy products 

Milk, cheese

Meat and offal

Beef liver, kidney, muscles, pork

Cereal products

Maize, wheat, pasta

Vegetables like 

Potato, broccoli, carrot, peas, lettuce, tomato, garbage 

Sea foods

Oyster, Tuna, Salmon, shrimp, flounder

Fruits like

Apple, bananas, oranges 

Biochemical Functions of Copper:

Copper is involved in the development and maintenance of cardiovascular and skeletal integrity, central nervous structure and function, and erythropoietin function including iron metabolism.

          Copper is essential trace mineral necessary for survival. It is found in all body tissues and plays a role in making red blood cells and maintaining nerve cells and the immune system. It also helps the body from collagen and absorb iron, and plays a role in energy production. Most copper in the body is found in the liver, brain, heart, kidneys and skeletal muscles. It is also involved in the metabolism of cholesterol and glucose and the synthesis and release of life sustaining proteins and enzymes.

A. Cardiovascular health: 

Copper plays important role in cardiovascular health. Low copper levels have been linked to high cholesterol and high blood pressure. One group of researches has suggested that some patient with heart failure may benefit from copper supplements.

B. Neuron Signaling:

Copper is an essential metal present at high levels in the CNS. Its role as a co-factor in mitochondrial ATP production and in other essential co enzymes is well defined Cu stored in the secretory pathway is released in a calcium dependent manner and can transiently reach concentrations over 100 micro molar synapses. One of the research conducted by Prof. Chris Chang in 2016 found that if high amount of copper enter a cell, this appears to reduce neuron signalling. When copper levels in that cell fall, signalling resumes.

C. Immune Function: 

Copper is necessary for the maintenance of healthy immune system. Recent evidence suggest that copper exerts an important role in the maintenance of immune competence. Copper deficiency results in decreased humoral and cell-mediated, as well as nonspecific immune function. Impairment of immune function may be highly correlated with an increased incidence of infection and higher mortality rates observed in copper deficient animals.  

D. Collagen Production:  

Copper plays an important role in maintaining collagen and elastin, major structural components of our bodies. Scientists have hypothesized that copper may have antioxidant properties, and that together with other antioxidants. Without sufficient copper, the body cannot replace damaged connective tissue or the collagen that makes up the scaffolding for bones. This can lead to range of problems, including joint dysfunction, as bodily tissues begin to break down.

E. Arthritis:

Animal studies have indicated that copper may help prevent or delay arthritis and people wear copper bracelets for this purpose. However, no human studies have confirmed this.

F. Antioxidant action:

Copper may also have an antioxidant function. It may help reduce the production of free radicals. Free radicals can damage cells and DNA, leading to cancer and other diseases.

Metabolism of copper

Copper metabolism in multicellular animals includes cellular and systemic absorption, distribution, sequestration, and excretion. Ctr1 is required for mammalian enterocytes to absorb bioavailable copper ions from the food. Cuprous ions are supplied to ATP7A, which pumps Cu+ from enterocytes into the bloodstream after incorporation. Ctr1 incorporates copper ions into hepatocytes after they enter the liver via the portal vein. Cu+ is then released into the bile or bloodstream via the Atox1/ATP7B/ceruloplasmin pathway. This micronutrient can reach peripheral tissues through the circulation and is reabsorbed by Ctr1. Cuprous ions are either sequestered by molecules like metallothioneins or targeted to utilisation pathways by chaperons like Atox1, Cox17, and CCS in peripheral tissue cells. To achieve homeostasis and avoid diseases, copper metabolism must be strictly managed. Copper shortage, overload, or misdistribution, whether hereditary or acquired, can cause or aggravate disorders including Menkes disease, Wilson disease, neurological diseases, anaemia, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The identification of novel effective therapeutics for such disorders requires a thorough understanding of copper metabolism and its functions in diseases.

Copper is the cofactor of key metabolic enzymes

Copper is required for the action of cytochrome C oxidase in mitochondria, which is crucial for respiration, and Cu, Zn-dependent superoxide dismutase, which is involved in the detoxification of oxygen radicals in the cytosol. Many cells also require copper in the secretory system, where copper is incorporated as a cofactor in the catalytic sites of enzymes such as dopamine-hydroxylase, peptidyl-monooxygenase, ceruloplasmin, tyrosinase, and others. These enzymes are then involved in a variety of important physiological processes, including iron export from cells, the creation of neuroendocrine peptides and neurotransmitters, pigmentation, blood coagulation, and more. Copper shortage reduces the activity of these enzymes, which has a negative impact on the physiological processes they regulate. Copper deficiency has been shown to have a negative impact on heart function. Experimental copper deprivation causes cardiohypertrophy in animals, resulting in increased size and a decrease in the number of cardiomyocytes. Copper-deficient hearts have more inflammation and a poorer acquired immunological response after viral infection, which adds to the heart's harm.

healthy subjects: intake and excretion is well balanced

 Wilson's disease patients before treatment: reduced excretion and retention of copper

Wilson's disease patients on zinc therapy: enhanced faecal excretion of copper

Wilson's disease patients on chelator therapy: enhanced urinary excretion of copper

Dietary / Daily Requirements

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) produced by the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine give copper and other nutrient intake guidelines [3]. The term "DRI" refers to a collection of reference values that are used to plan and assess nutritional intakes in healthy persons.