Augmented mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity in children with iron deficiency: a tandem between iron and copper?

Abstract

IntroductionDyshomeostasis of essential trace elements including iron and copper plays a key role in the pathogenesis of a myriad of serious conditions including iron deficiency (ID) anemia, in which impaired cellular energy metabolism is prominent. Although experimental studies documented decreased activity of cytochrome c oxidase (CytOx) in ID, there are not enough clinical data. The present study was conducted to determine serum copper levels and activity of mitochondrial CytOx in isolated lymphocytes of patients with iron deficiency.Material and methodsA total of 210 cases (2–17 years) were included in this prospective study. Serum iron and copper levels were measured. According to the serum iron levels, patients were allocated to iron deficient (ID, n = 70) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA, n = 70) groups, and iron-sufficient participants were allocated to the control group (n = 70). Activity of CytOx in the circulating lymphocytes was colorimetrically measured and compared with the controls.ResultsThe CytOx activity was significantly higher in the IDA (2.9 ±1.2 mOD/min, n = 62) group compared to the control group (2.4 ±1.3 mOD/min, n = 68, p < 0.001). Interestingly, serum copper levels were significantly higher in both the ID (106.9 ±55.5 μg/dl, n = 64, p = 0.0001) and IDA (115.1 ±50.2 μg/dl, n = 59, p = 0.0001) groups than the control group (72.1 ±46.7 μg/dl, n = 69).ConclusionsHigher serum copper levels in patients with IDA implicate co-operative interaction between these trace elements. The elevated CytOx activity in patients with IDA is probably secondary to the normal/elevated serum copper levels.

Comparative Biochemical Evaluation of the Proximate, Mineral, and Phytochemical Constituents ofXylopia aethiopicaWhole Fruit, Seed, and Pericarp

“…Phosphorus is an essential component of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nucleic acids and is important for the acid-base balance and formation of bone and tooth ( Tang et al, 2020 ). Iron is essential in haemoglobin (the pigment that carries oxygen) for normal red blood cell function and in cytochromes functioning in cellular respiration ( Bahadir et al, 2018 ).…”

Improvement of Vitamin A and Trace Elements in Children with Anemia

“…Because the measurement of red blood cell volume in peripheral blood is very complicated, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration is often used to express it in clinic [2] . Anemia usually causes dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, loss of appetite, paleness, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis and gastritis [3] . Anemia might harm multiple systems of the body in children including the digestive system, which leads to indigestion, loss of appetite; the nervous system leading irreversible damage to intelligence; low immunity, retardation of development and so on [4] .…”