Research studies have implicated that homeostasis of copper underlying physiology of several clinically important disorders, some of which may be encountered by the anaesthetist in daily routine. The present article tries to summarize anaesthetic management of copper in various diseases. Copper is an essential trace element whose absorption, distribution and elimination are highly regulated.
It is required for the catalytic activity of several critical enzyme systems. Copper zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) acts as a free radical scavenger, cytochrome c oxidase functions in energy production, dopamine β-hydroxylase catalyzes the conversion of dopamine into noradrenaline, tyrosinase is required for pigment formation, ceruloplasmin is a copper transport protein and anti-oxidant, and lysyl oxidase (LOX) is important for tissue integrity. Copper dependent transcriptions factors may…
