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[Popular Books Section]
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AN AUTHORITATIVE REFERENCE SOURCE
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Handbook of Copper Pharmacology and Toxicology, 1stEdition, Edited by Edward J. Massaro. Hard Bound, 7" x 10".
Humana Press Inc., 999 Riverview Drive, Suite 208, Totowa, New Jersey 07512; Publication Date 8 July, 2002. xvi + 608 pages, ISBN 0-89603-943-9 (acid-free Paper). Price $175.00
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Copper is an essential trace element, and is in fact a normal constituent of the human body. It is present in serum in two forms - one which is bound to albumin (7% of total serum copper), and one which is bound to the copper enzyme caeruloplasmin (93%). Urine normally contains only traces of copper (5 to 25 mg/day).
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About 0.1 to 1.3 ng of copper is excreted through the bile daily and lost in the faeces. Total body copper content is 150 mg. Copper can be absorbed through gastrointestinal mucosa, and from intact skin.
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Because copper ions can adopt distinct redox states, they play an important role in cell physiology as cofactors in the redox chemistry of enzymes involved in a wide array of biological activities, for example, mitochondrial respiration, iron absorption, collagen and elastin crosslinking, and free radical scavenging.
The safe daily intake of dietary copper is 2 to 3 mg/day, while the actual requirement is only 0.8 mg/day. It is well known that copper plays a vital role in the functioning of the nervous system. The neurodegenerative phenotypes of Menkes and Wilson's diseases underscore the essential nature of this metal in nervous system development, and the consequences of disturbance of neuronal copper homeostasis. Also, inherited deficiency of caeruloplasmin is associated with progressive neurodegeneration of the retina and basal ganglia. Recent studies have also indicated the involvement of copper in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, prion-mediated encephalopathies, etc., which emphasize the need for further elucidation of the mechanisms of copper metabolism, particularly within the nervous system.
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In the book under review, Edward J. Massaro leads a distinguished panel of experts to evaluate the current status of our knowledge relating to the biochemistry of copper in general, and its role in health and disease in particular. The panel, comprising over 90 researchers, presents its views on copper pharmacology and toxicology (including copper proteins and transport), copper toxicity and therapeutics, and copper metabolism and homeostasis. The experts on the panel also investigate the molecular pathogenesis of copper in a variety of metabolic diseases such as Menkes and Wilson's diseases, as well as the role of copper in diseases such as familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
The book is divided into 6 sections (see table on left) dealing with various research areas, beginning with copper in mammals, biochemistry of copper proteins, and mechanics of copper transport, and progressing to the molecular pathogenesis of copper-related diseases, toxicity and therapeutics of copper, and copper metabolism. Detailed discussions relating to these areas provide the reader with valuable insight into the current status of copper pharmacology and toxicology, and are well supported by recent references. Of particular interest to this reviewer are the sections on molecular pathogenesis of diseases of copper metabolism, and copper toxicity and therapeutics. In Wilson's disease, a copper toxicosis condition, and Menkes disease, a copper deficiency disorder, copper homeostasis is disturbed by genetic mutation. Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of copper metabolism resulting in accumulation of the element in many tissues and organs. The Menkes disease complex is characterized by abnormal neurodevelopment and connective tissue pathology that can precipitate premature death. Excessive intake of copper can also result in early childhood cirrhosis and idiopathic copper toxicosis. The pathophysiology of these conditions with particular reference to the role of copper has been extensively dealt with in the book. There is increasing evidence to suggest the involvement of this element in other conditions also, for example, oesophageal cancer. In fact a lot more research and study are required to delineate more clearly the role of copper in several diseases afflicting not only man, but lower animals as well. To that end, the Handbook of Copper Pharmacology and Toxicology serves as an excellent beginning that provides researchers and students with a view of the current status in this area.
Being a forensic toxicologist, this reviewer would have appreciated research work on acute and chronic toxicity of copper salts, in addition to elemental copper! While the incidence of copper salts (especially copper sulfate) poisoning has come down in recent times in India as compared to the situation that prevailed some years ago, it is still a matter of concern.
This impeccably produced book is an authoritative reference source containing all the up-to-date information needed to work on any aspect of copper biology.
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-V.V.Pillay MD, DCL
Professor, Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology Chief, Dept of Analytical Toxicology (Incl. Poison Information Service), Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Cochin 682026, South India Phones: 0484-2804852 (O); 0484-2807055 (R), 9895282388 (Cell) Email: toxicology@medical.amrita.edu Dr.V.V.Pillay has been in the vanguard of the movement among medical professionals in India to develop the neglected field of Toxicology. He has published extensively in both the scientific and lay press on matters relating to Toxicology, as well as his chosen discipline - Forensic Medicine. Dr.Pillay has authored 6 books on Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, and has received an award for one of them (Modern Medical Toxicology), generally considered to be a trend setter among books on the subject in India. He has reviewed several books on Toxicology for the Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. Dr.Pillay received a scroll of honour in appreciation of work done in the field of Toxicology from the Medicolegal Society, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. He has established a state-of-the-art Poison Control Centre, recognized by the World Health Organization at the institute where he is currently employed (AIMS, Cochin). Among his most sought-after publications is a 700 page reference work on Toxicology. |
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-Anil Aggrawal
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