Metabolic Crossroads of Iron and Copper

Overview

Journal Nutr Rev

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Nutritional Sciences

Date 2010 Apr 14

PMID 20384844

Citations 118

Authors

James F Collins

Joseph R Prohaska

Mitchell D Knutson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Interactions between the essential dietary metals, iron and copper, have been known for many years. This review highlights recent advances in iron-copper interactions with a focus on tissues and cell types important for regulating whole-body iron and copper homeostasis. Cells that mediate dietary assimilation (enterocytes) and storage and distribution (hepatocytes) of iron and copper are considered, along with the principal users (erythroid cells) and recyclers of red cell iron (reticuloendothelial macrophages). Interactions between iron and copper in the brain are also discussed. Many unanswered questions regarding the role of these metals and their interactions in health and disease emerge from this synopsis, highlighting extensive future research opportunities.

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