Copper for treatment of Wilson's disease have been investigated for use in cancer therapy. Copper is an essential trace element in plants and animals, but not all microorganisms. The human body contains copper at a level of about 1.4 to 2.1 mg per kg of body mass. Copper is absorbed in the gut, then transported to the liver bound to albumin. After processing in the liver, copper is distributed to other tissues in a second phase, which involves the protein ceruloplasmin, carrying the majority of copper in blood. Ceruloplasmin also carries the copper that is excreted in milk, and is particularly
Liver disease Liver disease Liver disease (also called hepatic disease) is a type of damage to or disease of the liver. There are more than a hundred different kinds of liver disease. Symptoms may include jaundice and weight loss. These are some of the most common: Liver disease can occur through several mechanisms. One general mechanism, increased DNA damage, is shared by some of the major causes of liver disease. These major causes include infection by hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus, alcohol abuse, and obesity.<ref name="urlChronic Liver Disease/Cirrhosis | Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library"></ref> Viral infection by hepatitis B virus