Copper in the Human Organism

Copper is an essential micronutrient for human bodies, whose distribution in different organs and tissues, metabolism and physiological impact is not thoroughly explained yet. Further issues which need clarification are the exact composition and constitution of its combinations with other elements, the physiological impact of copper and copper-enzymes in sickness and health. Biomarkers for identification of copper status are still being defined. They are necessary in order to determine the prophylactics and treatment of diseases and conditions, which are related to changes of copper concentrations in human bodies. Researches continue in an attempt to develop analytical methods for determination of copper in serum and urine, which are used in clinical laboratory diagnostics. These current developments justify the purpose of our research: to make a brief review of some issues related to studying the trace element copper. In the present paper, we have reviewed a part of the essential copper enzymes – cytochrome c oxidase, lysyl oxidase, feroxidase, monoamine oxygenase, superoxide dismutase, etc., e.g the physiological functions, which depend on the presence of these essential copper enzymes in the human organism. The issues of copper metabolism and the interactions of copper with other micronutrients (zinc, iron, vitamins A, C, E) are briefly discussed. An overview of the influence of copper on several diseases: Menkes syndrome, Wilson's disease, cardiovascular diseases, oxidative stress, osteoporosis, diabetes, chronic diarrhea, cystic fibrosis, is performed as well. The results from our study in children, aged 1 ÷ 3 years, with anemia, cystic fibrosis and chronic diarrhea and a healthy control group, showed significantly lower levels of copper in blood serum of patients as compared to controls. In conclusion , based on our brief review we might state that the results obtained from different researchers in respect of the influence of copper in different diseases and conditions are conflicting. There is a necessity of accurate and accessible methods for determination of serum copper in research and clinical biomedical laboratories. It is obvious that further research work is needed in order to clarify the contradictions and determine the role of copper in the human organism.