Liver, copper phospholipids

In rodents, copper administered by single intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection is lethal at 3 to 7 mg Cu/kg BW (Table 3.7). Mice died when their drinking water contained 640 mg Cu/L (Table 3.7). In rats, copper accumulation in kidneys and lungs is similar regardless of route of administration (Romeu-Moreno et al. 1994). Concentrations of copper in serum of rats (Rattus sp.) reflect dietary copper concentrations in liver and kidney are directly related to serum Cu and ceruloplasmin (Petering et al. 1977). As serum Cu concentrations rise in rats, levels fall for serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids (Petering et al. 1977). 

Copper and Zinc in Aerobic Metabolism. Cytochrome oxidase, the terminal oxidase in the electron transport chain contains an atom of copper. On this enzyme the protons and electrons generated during oxidative metabolism combine with elemental oxygen to form water. During copper deficiency the tissue concentration of cytochrome oxidase is reduced. While the effects of lower cytochrome oxidase activity on exercise has not been described, it is likely that aerobic energy metabolism will be diminished. This effect of copper deficiency was first described in animals with myelin aplasls — the degeneration myelin (86). The oxidative process of phospholipid synthesis, a primary component of myelin, was depressed. Liver mitochondria had impaired respiratory activity (87). Cytochrome oxidase activity was also depressed in brain, heart and liver. 

Human serum paraoxonase (PON 1) is an esterase that is physically associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and is also distributed in tissues such as liver, kidney, and intestine [38,39]. Activities of PON 1, which are routinely measured, include hydrolysis of organophosphates, such as paraoxon (the active metabolite of the insecticide parathion) hydrolysis of arylesters, such as phenyl acetate and lactonase activities. Human serum paraoxonase activity has been shown to be inversely related to the risk of cardiovascular disease [40,41], as shown in atherosclerotic, hypercholester-olemic, and diabetic patients [42-44]. In 1998 HDL-associated PON 1 was shown to protect LDL, as well as the HDL particle itself, against oxidation induced by either copper ions or free radical generators [45,46], and this effect could be related to the hydrolysis of the specific lipoproteins oxidized lipids such as cholesteryl linoleate hydroperoxides and oxidized phospholipids. Protection of HDL from oxidation by PON 1 was shown to preserve... 

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