Copper as an essential nutrient

摘要: Animal and human studies have shown that copper is involved in the function of several enzymes. Studies also required for infant growth, host defense mechanisms, bone strength, red white cell maturation, iron transport, cholesterol glucose metabolism, myocardial contractility, brain development. Copper deficiency can result expression an inherited defect such as Menkes syndrome or acquired condition. Acquired mainly a pathology infants; however, it has been diagnosed children adults. Most cases described malnourished children. The most constant clinical manifestations are anemia, neutropenia, abnormalities. Other, less frequent hypopigmentation hair, hypotonia, impaired increased incidence infections, alterations phagocytic capacity neutrophils, abnormalities cardiovascular alterations. Measurements serum ceruloplasmin concentrations currently used to evaluate status. These indexes diminished severe moderate deficiency; they sensitive marginal deficiency. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase platelet cytochrome c activities may be more promising evaluating