copper poisoning/toxicity

15
COPPER TOXICITY Prepared by: www.mcqsinpharmacology.com www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Upload: mcqsinpharmacology

Post on 15-Jun-2015

193 views

Category:

Health & Medicine


0 download

DESCRIPTION

mcqs in Pharmacology, Pharmacology mcqs, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodymanics, Drug development, Drug resistance, Autonomic nervous system pharmacology, Central nervous system pharmacology, Digestive pharmacology, Antifungal drugs, Antiviral drugs, Antibiotics, Chemotherapy, Respiratory, Renal, Reproductive system, Anthelmintics, cardiovascular pharmacology, copper toxicity, copper poisoning, www.mcqsinpharmacology, pharmacologymcqs

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

COPPER TOXICITY

Prepared by: www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 2: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

COPPER

It is one of the first metals ever extracted and it has made vital contributions to sustaining and improving society since the dawn of civilization. It was first used in coins and ornaments starting about 8000 B.C.Around 5500 B.C., copper tools helped civilization emerge from the Stone Age. The discovery that copper alloyed with tin produces bronze marked the beginning of the Bronze Age at about 3000 B.C.

Daily intake of copper in adults varies between 0.9 and 2.2 mg, and in children between 0.6 to 0.8 mg (WHO, 1998). It varies according to age, pregnancy, and lactation.

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 3: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

USES OF COPPER

It is an excellent conductor of electricity, as such one of its main industrial usage is for the production of cable, wire and electrical products for both the electrical and building industries.

The construction industry also accounts for copper's second largest usage because it is easily stretched, molded, and shaped. It is also resistant to corrosion.

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 4: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

Copper exposure in industry is primarily from inhaled particulates in mining or metal fumes in smelting operations, welding, or related activities.

Sanitary fittings

Insecticides and fungicides

Copper wire

Vitamin and mineral supplements (copper is an essential micronutrient, but too much can be deadly).

Cookware.

Beverages containers

Stress

Birth control pills

SOURCES OF COPPER TOXICITY

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 5: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

COPPER'S ROLE IN THE BODY

It has a number of important functions in the human body.

Bones and connective tissue. It is required to fix calcium in the bones and to build and repair all connective tissue. Imbalances can contribute to osteoporosis, and almost all conditions of the skin, hair and nails.

Energy production in the cells. It is needed in the final steps of the Krebs energy cycle called the electron transport system. This is where most of our cellular energy is produced. Any problem here causes fatigue, depression and other imbalances related to low energy.

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 6: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

Immune Response. It must remain in balance with zinc. When imbalances occur, one is more prone to all infections, in particular fungal and yeast infections.

The glandular system, particularly the thyroid and adrenal glands. The thyroid gland is extremely sensitive to copper. Common conditions seen with copper imbalance include hypothyroidism and even hyperthyroidism. Grave’s disease usually due to stress, copper imbalance and often mercury as well.

Reproductive system. It is closely related to estrogen metabolism, and is required for women's fertility and to maintain pregnancy. Imbalance can cause premenstrual syndrome, ovarian cysts, infertility, miscarriages, sexual dysfunctions and more. It affects men less than women in this area, but it may affect men’s potency and sexual drive.

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 7: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

Nervous system. Copper stimulates production of the neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. Copper imbalances are highly associated with most psychological, emotional and often neurological conditions. These include memory loss, especially in young people, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 8: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

TOXICITY MECHANISM

Stress cause the Stimulation of sympathetic nervous system which release Adrenaline, Cortisol, and Aldosterone secretion.

Aldosterone work by retaining Na and Cu and increase the elimination of Zn and Mg.

When the Adrenal glands are constantly being stimulated by stress, the body retains Copper and eliminates Zinc. Zinc is necessary for the removal of all toxic heavy metals including Copper, and is also necessary for the production of neurotransmitters in the brain.

When the brain starts becoming saturated with Copper but is lacking the necessary neurotransmitters to calm the brain, the mind becomes very agitated and is prone to severe mood swings.

Copper in Nervous System

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 9: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

Copper must be bound to special binding proteins, Ceruloplasmin and Metallothionine, in order to get into the cells where it can be used by the Mitochondria to make ATP in the Kreb's cycle. These proteins are made in the Liver upon receiving a signal from the Adrenal glands to produce these proteins.

If there is a dysfunction with either the Liver or the Adrenals than these two proteins will be lacking and free and unbound Copper will begin accumulating in the blood.

Copper and Blood

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 10: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

Excess copper in the blood causes weakening of erythrocyte membrane increasing there fragility leading to hemolysis.

Oxidation of hemoglobin by copper leads to methemoglobin, which is unable to carry oxygen. This may aggravate the hemolytic crisis.

Accumulation of copper occurs in mitochondria and lysosomes cause hepatocyte damage leading to cellular degeneration or necrosis.

Copper and Liver

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 11: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

TOXICITY SYMPTOMSAcne, Allergies, Hair loss, Anemia, Anorexia, Anxiety, Attention deficit disorder, Arthritis, Autism, Candida overgrowth, Dysmenorrhea, Male infertility, Prostatitis, Migraine, Headaches, Insomnia, Neuralgia (nerve pain), Sciatica Hypertension, Hypothyroidism, Schizophrenia, Bipolar (Manic Depression) disorders.

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 12: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

DIAGNOSIS

The hair copper level is a very unreliable indicator for copper toxicity. So is serum copper, serum ceruloplasmin, and many other tests because the copper can hide deep in the brain and the liver.

A liver biopsy is a good indicator, but is a painful and somewhat invasive procedure.

Hb Level Examination.

LFTs (AST, Lactate Dehydrgenase, Arginase, Sorbitol Dehydrogenase).

Serum or whole blood copper level.

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 13: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

TREATMENT

Clinical improvement can be achieved by Chelation of copper with d-penicillamine, Trien, zinc acetate, and tetrathiomolybdate. The combination of tetrathiomolybdate and zinc acetate is more effective.

N-Acetylcystein amide can cross the blood–brain barrier And was developed to help prevent neurodegenerative disorders.

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 14: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

Hereditary Disease of Copper MetabolismMenkes Disease: This is a rare sex-linked genetic defect in copper metabolism resulting in copper deficiency in male infants. It is characterized by peculiar hair, failure to thrive, severe metal retardation, neurologic impairment, and death usually by 5 years of age.

Wilson Disease: It is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder of copper metabolism characterized by the excessive accumulation of copper in liver, brain, kidneys, and cornea. Serum ceruloplasmin is low and serum copper not bound to ceruloplasmin is elevated. Urinary excretion of copper is high. Clinical abnormalities of the nervous system.

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com

Page 15: Copper poisoning/Toxicity

Indian Childhood Cirrhosis (ICC): This is a disorder occurring in young children characterized by jaundice due to an insidious and progressive liver disease. The etiology is not known but it is suspected that bottle feeding of milk contaminated with copper from storage in brass vessels may be important.

Idiopathic Copper Toxicosis or Non-Indian Childhood Cirrhosis

This is a rare disorder in children similar to ICC occurring in some western countries. The largest series of cases are reported from Austria. This population also used copper vessels to store milk, and the incidence of the disorder has declined since replacement of the copper vessels. A number of other cases have been reported from other parts of the world, some from increased amounts of copper in drinking water.

www.mcqsinpharmacology.com