铜及其配合物在生物体系中的作用

自人类有历史记载以来，铜及其配合物即用作药物。铜是人体必需的金属元素。人体的正常代谢过程需要它们，但无法体内合成，因此，需要每天从饮食摄取和吸收。生物药学家和研究者以极大的努力彻底地了解铜及其配合物在生物体系中的作用，希望获得更多地信息以利于人类疾病的预防和治疗。本综述评述了铜在组织中的分配和代谢、铜依赖酶、在病态时铜的非正常代谢、铜配合物的药疗活性和抑制氧自由基的产生。

ROLE OF COPPER AND ITS COMPLEXES IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Copper and its complexes have been used for their medical effect since the beginning of the recorded history. It has been recognized as an essential metalloelement. Human body requires it for normal metabolic processes but cannot be synthesized de novo, therefore daily dietary intake and absorption are required. Biomedical scientists and researchers have made tremendous efforts to completely understand the role of copper and its complexes in biological systems, which give much information relevant to the prevention and/or treatment of human diseases. This review examines and critically evaluates these research investigations with particular reference to the tissue distribution and metabolism of copper, copper dependent enzymes, altered metabolism of copper in disease states, pharmacological activities and the role of copper complexes to prevent the production and/or accumulation of oxygen derived free radicals.