Copper
Total human body contains about 100 mg of copper and are encountered in muscle, liver, bone marrow, brain, kidney, heart and in hairs. Enzymes such as cytochrome oxidase, tyrosinase, lysyl oxidase, allanine synthase, monoamine oxidase, superoxide dismutase and phenol oxidase contains copper. The normal copper limit for human are 1.5 to 3 mg/day. The main sources of copper are cereals, meat, liver, nuts and green leafy vegetables. From the total dietary copper only 10% are absorbed. Copper are mainly excreated through bile. The normal serum level of copper is 25 to 50 mg/dl.
Functions of copper
(a) Copper is necessary for iron absorption and incorporation of iron into hemoglobin.
(b) It is very essential for tyrosinase activity
(c) It is the co-factor for vitamin C requiring hydroxylation
(d) Copper increases the level of high density lipo protein and protects the heart
Abnormal metabolism of copper
The abnormal metabolism of copper leads to Wilson’s disease and Menke’s kidney hair syndrome.
(a) Wilson’s disease In case of Wilson’s disease ceruloplasmin level in blood is drastically reduced. The incidence of Wilson’s disease is noticed for 1 in 50,000 populations. The defect in a gene encoding copper binding ATPase of liver cells leads to Wilson’s disease. Wilson’s disease leads to
(i) Accumulation of copper in liver leads to hepatocellular degeneration and cirrhosis
(ii) Deposition of copper in brain basal ganglia leads to leticular degeneration
(iii) Copper deposits as green pigmented ring around cornea and the condition is called as Kayser-Kleischer ring Over accumulation of copper can be treated by consumption of diet containg low copper and injection of D-penicillamine, which excretes copper through urine.
(b) Menke’s kidney hair syndrome It is X-linked defect. In this condition copper is absorbed by GI tract, but cannot be transported to blood. The defect in transport of copper to blood is due to absence of an intracellular copper binding ATPase, which is due to mutation in gene encoding them.
Intext Questions
1. Total human body conatins about …………….. mg of copper
(a) 100 (b) 200 (c) 300 (d) 400
2. Menke’s kidney hair syndrome is …………….. linked defect.
3. Deposition of copper in …………….. leads to leticular degeneration
Zinc
The daily requirement of Zinc for human consumption ranges 10mg /day. The major sources of Zinc includes grains, beans, nuts cheese, meat and shellfish. The normal serum level of Zinc in human is 100mg/day. In the human total body the content of Zinc is 2gm, out of which 60 % is encountered in skeletal muscle and 30% in bones highest concentration is seen in hippocampus area of brain and prostatic secretion. More than 300 enzymes in human body are zinc-dependent; some of them are carboxypeptidase, carbonic anhydrase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydragenase. The enzyme RNA polymerase, which is required for transcription, contains zinc and it is essential for protein bio synthesis.
Deficiency in Zinc leads to poor wound healing, lesions of skin impaired spermatogenesis, hyperkeratosis, dermatitis and alopecia. Consumption of more than 1000 mg /day leads to zinc toxicity. Zinc toxicity leads to gastric ulcer, pancreatitis, anemia, nausea and vomiting.
Intext Questions
1. …………….. and …………….. are major source of Zinc
2. …………….. number of enzymes are zinc dependent
(a) 100 (b) 300 (c) 500 (d) 50
3. The normal serum level of Zinc in human is …………….. mg/day
FLUORIDE
Fluoride is well known for their protective effect on caries. The safe limit of fluorine is about 1PPM in water. But excess of fluoride causes Flourosis. Flourosis is more dangerous than caries. When Fluoride content is more than 2 PPM, it will cause chronic intestinal upset, gastroenteritis, loss of weight, osteosclerosis, stratification and discoloration of teeth. In India Flourosis is widespread in Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi and Tamilnadu. Fluoride rich source includes sea fish, cheese, tea and jowar. Flourosis could be prevented by providing and consumption of fluoride free water, Further supplementation of vitamin c and usage of toothpaste containing regulated level of Fluoride could prevent Fluorosis.
Intext Questions
1. ……………… is well known for caries protection.
(a) calcium (b) fluoride (c) iron (d) Magnesium
2. Fluoride rich source includes ………………
