Contribution to the data on copper concentration in blood and urine in patients with Wilson's disease and in normal subjects

Abstract

Determination of copper in human tissues and body fluids may be crucial in the diagnosis of Wilson's disease. In this study we evaluated urinary copper excretion and urine and blood concentration in 14 patients in whom Wilson's disease was confirmed (group A) and in 21 subjects in whom the disease was only suspected (group B). The following values (mean +/- SD) were found: 24-h urine (microg Cu/24 h), 152 +/- 135 (A) and 31.8 +/- 10.9 (B); urine (microg Cu/ml), 0.091 +/- 0.087 (A) and 0.028 +/- 0.011 (B); and blood (microg Cu/ml), 0.62 +/- 0.25 (A) and 0.72 +/- 0.09 (B). By comparison, urine copper concentration in the group of apparently healthy subjects was 0.035 +/- 0.010 (n = 50), and blood copper concentration in autopsy cases of nonpoisoned people was 0.85 +/- 0.19 (n = 73).