Serum Copper in Schizophrenia in Nigerians

Abstract

Serum copper concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 102 schizophrenic patients and 95 healthy control subjects. The serum copper concentrations were significantly higher in the schizophrenic patients than in the normal control subjects. The average serum copper in schizophrenic females was higher than in schizophrenic males, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Estimation of serum zinc and copper levels patients with schizophrenia: a preliminary study

“…In this study, serum Cu levels were significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia compared to the control group. This is consistent with other studies reporting high Cu levels in patients with schizophrenia (14,16,21). Wolf et al demonstrated that both serum Cu and ceruloplasmin were elevated in patients with schizophrenia (30).…”

“…However, plasma Cu concentrations were shown to be elevated in patients with schizophrenia and a study of trace metals in scalp hair samples of patients with schizophrenia has shown an increase in Cu concentrations (13)(14)(15)(16)(17).…”

Relationship between Dietary and Plasma Copper Levels of Pregnant Nigerian Women

“…Results of earlier studies carried out in this field [7] have suggested that nutritional status may be an important factor influencing plasma copper levels during pregnancy. In the present study also, a significant variation was observed in the distribution of plasma copper levels according to the level of nutri tional intake.…”

“…Several reports in the literature indicate that during pregnancy maternal plasma cop per levels are greatly increased [1][2][3][4][5][6][7], Studies carried out on Nigerians [7] indicate that although significant increases do occur in the serum copper levels of pregnant women, the average levels attained were much lower than those reported in the literature for non-Ni gerians. Meanwhile, although the demon strated effect of pharmacological doses of contraceptives on plasma copper levels [8,9] has led to the general view that a rise in plasma copper levels during pregnancy may be due to hormonal changes, it seems that no investigation has so far been reported on the possible relationship between habitual di etary copper intake levels during pregnancy and the elevation of plasma copper concen trations.…”

Unusual florid skeletal manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism

“…Florid signs of the disease have consequently become very rare [1]. In contrast, there have been very few reports of PHPT in Africa and other less developed countries [3,4], leading perhaps erroneously to the belief that the disease is less common than in developed countries [5]. In many of the cases reported, bone disease, as in our case has been prominent and advanced [5].…”