EFFECT OF COPPER ON LIVER AND BONE METABOLISM IN MALNUTRITION

This study was planned to investigate the effects of copper (Cu) defic iency on liver and bone metabolism in malnourished children. Serum tot al calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (P), Ca/P, Cu/Ca, Cu/P ratios an d alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity values were analyzed. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) enzyme activities and the ALT/AST (De Ritis) ratio a s well as their correlations with Cu were tested to determine liver fu nction. The results of the study showed that Cu deficiency directly af fects the organic matrix formation, and by the suppression of ALP acti vity, indirectly causes decalcification. In the liver, however, no dir ect effect of Cu deficiency was seen. Deterioration in liver function and Cu deficiency increased parallel with the severity of malnutrition . Thus we concluded that a correlation exists between Cu and the param eters that indicate liver function.