Open AccessObesity is associated with copper elevation in serum and tissues
Author(s) -
Haojun Yang,
Chin Nung Liu,
Risa M. Wolf,
Martina Ralle,
Som Dev,
Hannah Pierson,
Frederic B. Askin,
Kimberley E. Steele,
Thomas Magnuson,
Michael Schweitzer,
G. William Wong,
Svetlana Lutsenko
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
metallomics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1756-591X
pISSN - 1756-5901
DOI - 10.1039/c9mt00148d
Subject(s) - copper , obesity , medicine , elevation (ballistics) , endocrinology , chemistry , geometry , mathematics , organic chemistry
Copper misbalance has been linked to fat accumulation in animals and experimental systems; however, information about copper homeostasis in human obesity is limited. In this study, the copper status of obese individuals was evaluated by measuring their levels of copper and cuproproteins in serum, adipose and hepatic tissues. The analysis of serum trace elements showed significant positive and element-specific correlation between copper and BMI after controlling for gender, age, and ethnicity. Serum copper also positively correlated with leptin, insulin, and the leptin/BMI ratio. When compared to lean controls, obese patients had elevated circulating cuproproteins, such as semucarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) and ceruloplasmin, and higher SSAO activity and copper levels in visceral fat. Although hepatic steatosis reduces copper levels in the liver, obese patients with no or mild steatosis have higher copper content in the liver compared to lean controls. In conclusion, obese patients evaluated in this study had altered copper status. Strong positive correlations of copper levels with BMI and leptin suggest that copper and/or cuproproteins may be functionally linked to fat accumulation.