Copper distribution among serum proteins in paediatric liver disorders and malignancies. 1988

L Barrow, and M S Tanner
Department of Child Health, University of Leicester, U.K.

Fractionation of normal serum on Sephadex G-150, followed by determination of copper, caeruloplasmin and albumin concentrations, indicated that only approximately 71% of total serum copper was associated with caeruloplasmin; less than previously reported values. Seven per cent was associated with a high molecular weight protein, designated 'transcuprein', 19% with albumin and 2% with amino acids. Compared with adult serum the concentrations of caeruloplasmin and of copper associated with caeruloplasmin were low both in serum from neonates and in serum from patients with symptomatic Wilson's disease. However, in contrast to the neonate, Wilson's disease patients exhibited a raised total serum copper and raised non-caeruloplasmin-copper. In Indian Childhood Cirrhosis serum caeruloplasmin and caeruloplasmin-copper levels were normal, whilst the non-caeruloplasmin-copper was raised. Elevated non-caeruloplasmin-copper in Wilson's disease and Indian Childhood Cirrhosis may therefore represent an overspill into the serum from a copper-laden liver. Children with malignancy showed increased serum concentrations of copper and caeruloplasmin. Both caeruloplasmin-bound and non-caeruloplasmin-bound copper concentrations were elevated. It remains to be determined whether increased 'transcuprein'- and albumin-bound copper result from a sequestering of copper released from peripherally utilized caeruloplasmin, or are associated with increased rates of caeruloplasmin synthesis.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007223 Infant A child between 1 and 23 months of age. Infants
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D008103 Liver Cirrhosis Liver disease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules. Cirrhosis, Liver,Fibrosis, Liver,Hepatic Cirrhosis,Liver Fibrosis,Cirrhosis, Hepatic
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009369 Neoplasms New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms. Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D002570 Ceruloplasmin A multi-copper blood FERROXIDASE involved in iron and copper homeostasis and inflammation. Caeruloplasmin,Ferroxidase,Ceruloplasmin Ferroxidase,Ceruloplasmin Oxidase,Ferroxidase I,alpha(2)-Ceruloplasmin,Ferroxidase, Ceruloplasmin,Oxidase, Ceruloplasmin
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D003300 Copper A heavy metal trace element with the atomic symbol Cu, atomic number 29, and atomic weight 63.55. Copper-63,Copper 63

Related Publications

L Barrow, and M S Tanner
January 1978, Vestnik Akademii meditsinskikh nauk SSSR,
L Barrow, and M S Tanner
December 1943, Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine,
L Barrow, and M S Tanner
July 1987, American journal of obstetrics and gynecology,
L Barrow, and M S Tanner
August 1985, Journal of the National Cancer Institute,
L Barrow, and M S Tanner
October 1984, Journal of comparative pathology,
L Barrow, and M S Tanner
May 1979, Acta pharmacologica et toxicologica,
L Barrow, and M S Tanner
January 1970, The Johns Hopkins medical journal,
L Barrow, and M S Tanner
March 1982, The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India,
L Barrow, and M S Tanner
January 1968, American Industrial Hygiene Association journal,
L Barrow, and M S Tanner
April 1986, Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore,
Copied contents to your clipboard!