Besides chelating agents, which metal is used to reduce copper absorption in Wilson's disease?

Besides chelating agents, which metal is used to reduce copper absorption in Wilson's disease?

• A. Zinc
• B. Copper
• C. Molybdenum
• D. Fluorine

Answer: (A)

Zinc therapy reduces copper absorption in Wilson's disease by inducing intestinal metallothionein, a protein that binds copper inside enterocytes and prevents its passage into the bloodstream. The bound copper stays in the intestinal cells, which are later shed and excreted in feces, lowering overall absorption. This approach complements chelating agents that remove copper already accumulated in tissues. Copper itself would worsen copper burden, molybdenum isn’t used to block absorption in this condition, and fluorine has no role in copper metabolism.

Zinc therapy reduces copper absorption in Wilson's disease by inducing intestinal metallothionein, a protein that binds copper inside enterocytes and prevents its passage into the bloodstream. The bound copper stays in the intestinal cells, which are later shed and excreted in feces, lowering overall absorption. This approach complements chelating agents that remove copper already accumulated in tissues. Copper itself would worsen copper burden, molybdenum isn’t used to block absorption in this condition, and fluorine has no role in copper metabolism.