Serum copper levels in obesity: a study of 32 cases
Omar, S.; Abdennebi, M.; Ben Mami, F.; Ghanem, A.; Azzabi, S.; Hedhili, A.; Zouari, B.; Achour, A.; Guemira, F.
La Tunisie Medicale 79(6-7): 370-373
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-4131 PMID: 11771433 Document Number: 529372
Abnormalities of copper distribution in tissues and serum has been described in obese subjects. In this prospective study, we evaluated the seric level of copper by atomic absorption in a group of 32 obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) compared to a group of 32 healthy subjects. We have noted an elevation of serum copper in obese with a middle level of 133 mg/dl significantly superior to the middle level of serum copper of healthy subjects, 108 mg/dl (p < 0.001). In another hand, we have noticed that the levels of serum cooper rise with the BMI. In fact, 58.3% of the obese that have a BMI > or = 40 kg/m2 show a high concentration of serum copper although only 5% of obese with BMI < 40 kg/m2 show this high concentration. This work must be completed by the determination of ceruloplasmin levels in a larger group of obese in order to establish correlations between the serum ceruloplasmin levels, the serum copper levels and the obesity.