Copper myelin formation

Copper is an essential component of numerous key metalloenzymes which are critical in melanin formation, myelin formation and crosslinking of collagen and elastin. Copper plays a vital role in hemopoiesis, maintenance of vascular and skeletal integrity, and structure and function of the nervous system. Thus a deficiency of copper can lead to a variety of adverse effects such as increased fragility in bones, aneurysm formation in arteries and a loss of lysyl oxidase activity in cartilage.54 57 Articles on copper also appear in Siget1, volumes 3 and 5, all of volumes 12 and 13, and volume 14,... 

Copper The content of Cu in the human body is estimated to range between 50 and 80 pg. The RDA is 1.5-3.0 mg per day for adults. Copper is an essential component of several enzymes and is required in bone formation, cellular respiration, cardiac function, connective tissue development, and myelination of the spinal cord [11-14]. This metal is also necessary for Fe absorption and mobilization. Again, Cu content in milk differs with the biological species, stage of lactation, and diet intake. In all species colostrum is substantially richer in Cu than mature milk is. 

Genetic and nutritional studies have illustrated the essential nature of copper for normal brain function. Deficiency of copper during the foetal or neonatal period will have adverse effects both on the formation and the maintenance of myelin (Kuo et al., 2001 Lee et al., 2001 Sun et al., 2007 Takeda and Tamana, 2010). In addition, various brain lesions will occur in many brain regions, including the cerebral cortex, olfactory bulb, and corpus striamm. Vascular changes have also been observed. It is also of paramount importance that excessive amounts of copper do not occur in cells, due to redox mediated reactions such that its level within cells must be carefully controlled by regulated transport mechanisms. Copper serves as an essential cofactor for a variety of proteins involved in neurotransmitter synthesis, e.g. dopamine P-hydroxylase, which transforms dopamine to nor-adrenahne, as well as in neuroprotection via the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase present in the cytosol. Excess free copper is however deleterious for cell metabolism, and therefore intracellular copper concentration is maintained at very low levels, perhaps as low as 10 M. Brain copper homeostasis is still not well understood. 

Copper is extremely important for the proper functioning of the body. It aids in the absorption of iron from the intestine and facilitates iron metabolism. It is critical for the formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells in the bone marrow. Copper is also necessary for the synthesis of collagen, a protein that is a major component of the cormective tissue. It is essential to the central nervous system in two important ways. First, copper is needed for the synthesis of norepinephrine and dopamine, two chemicals that are necessary for the transmission of nerve signals. Second, it is required for the deposition of the myelin sheath (a layer of insulation) around nerve cells. Release of cholesterol from the Uver depends on copper, as does bone development and proper function of the immune and blood clotting systems. 

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