Copper in liver

Wilson s disease is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the accumulation of copper in liver and brain [21]. Hepatic involvement may result in liver cirrhosis and hepatic cancer. The deposition of copper in the basal ganglia results in a variety of movement disorders, including... 

Copper in livers and muscles of Weddell seals was positively correlated with manganese (Szefer et al. 1994). In general, manganese and copper are positively correlated in tissues of marine vertebrates (Eisler 1984). Uptake of copper from copper-contaminated freshwater sediments by annelid worms is related to the amount of reducible manganese oxide in the sediments (Diks and Allen 1983). 

In mammals, phenobarbital and phenytoin increase serum ceruloplasmin concentrations (Aaseth and Norseth 1986). Chronic copper poisoning in sheep is exacerbated when diets contain heliotrope plants (Heliotropium sp., Echium spp., Senecio sp.). Aggravated effects of the heliotrope plants include reduced survival and a twofold to threefold increase in liver and kidney copper concentrations when compared to control animals fed copper without heliotropes (Howell et al. 1991). Rats given acutely toxic doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin had elevated concentrations of copper in liver and kidney because of impaired biliary excretion of copper (Elsenhans et al. 1991). Morphine increases copper concentrations in the central nervous system of rats, and dithiocarbam-ates inhibit biliary excretion (Aaseth and Norseth 1986). In human patients, urinary excretion of copper is increased after treatment with D-penicillamine, calcium disodium EDTA, or calcium trisodium diethylenetriamine penta acetic acid (Flora 1991). 

Marine mammals usually contain less than 44 mg Cu/kg DW in all tissues except livers. Copper in livers seldom exceeds 116 mg/kg DW except in polar bears (146 mg/kg DW), and manatees, Trichechus manatus, (1200 mg/kg DW) from a copper-contaminated site (Table 3.3). Maximum copper concentrations in terrestrial mammals from all collection sites are usually less than 29 mg/kg DW in all tissues except kidneys (108 mg/kg DW) and livers (1078 mg/kg DW Table 3.3). 

Impalas (Aepyceros melampus) found dead in Kruger National Park, South Africa, had elevated concentrations of copper in livers (maximum 444 mg/kg FW) and kidneys (maximum 141 mg/kg FW) authors assert that copper poisoning is the most likely cause of death (Gummow et al. 1991), but this needs verification. Copper concentrations in bones, kidneys, and livers of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) near a copper smelter and from distant sites are about the same. However, deer near the smelter have significantly elevated concentrations of cadmium in kidneys and livers, lead in bone, and zinc in kidneys (Storm et al. 1994). 

In Poland near copper foundries, livers from cattle (Bos sp.) have higher copper concentrations (35 to 140 mg/kg FW) than cattle from agricultural regions (7 to 32 mg/kg FW) however, kidney copper concentrations are comparable for both regions (Falandysz 1993a). Cattle found dead in South Africa near a copper smelter have elevated levels of copper in liver (600 mg/kg FW ... 

Concentrations of copper in liver, in mg/kg FW, were 32 after 6 hr, 84 after 5 days, and 285 after 10 days... 

Spierenburg, T.J., G.J. De Graaf, and A.J. Baars. 1988. Cadmium, zinc, lead, and copper in livers and kidneys of cattle in the neighbourhood of zinc refineries. Environ. Monitor. Assess. 11 107-114. 

This may find application in several areas. The first example is the homogenization of animal tissues in a high-speed blender, which enables a homogeneous sample to be obtained for subsequent analysis. This is used, for example, in the analysis of arsenic or copper in liver (Ross, 1990). A second area is the extraction of volatile fatty acids from silage. Typically, 10 g fresh silage is homogenized for between 1 and 10 min with 100 ml water in a blender before filtration (Lessard et ai, 1961). The last area is the dry... 

Wilson s disease is a pathological accumulation of copper in tissue which is later released into the bloodstream, leading to anaemia, and final accumulation of copper in liver and brain. It is the result of a mutation in the Wilson s disease gene in chromosome 13 which ordinarily codes for a cation transporting ATPase so that copper can be incorporated into ceruloplasmin prior to excretion. Also known as ferroxi-dase, in acknowledgement of its primary function as an oxidoreductase responsible for electron transfer, this enzyme contains iron and, more importantly, six copper atoms. It accounts for the transport of 90% of copper in the plasma so any impairment in its production or efficacy has a major impact on copper homeostasis. The greatly reduced concentration of ceruloplasmin in the blood of Wilson s disease sufferers correlates with their inability to metabolize copper effectively. It leads to chronic liver disease, for which the only real cure is a liver transplant,... 

For reasons unknown, livers of some adult giant toads (Bufo rmrinm) normally contain grossly elevated concentrations of copper (>2000.0mg/kg DW). Tbe toads livers are undamaged by this level of copper, and this lack of effect is in sharp contrast to human patients with Wilson s disease (2000.0 mfg Cu/kg DW liver) wherein hepatocyte degeneration, necrosis, and ultimately cirrhosis result. In toad livers, the copper is sequestered in lyso-somes, which seems to protect the cell from the toxic effects of copper. In contrast, copper in liver of humans with Wilson s disease is diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm of hepa-tocytes and is associated with severe and often fatal pathological changes. 

---