Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Removal of Trace Elements by Cupric Oxide Nanoparticles from Uranium In Situ Recovery Bleed Water and Its Effect on Cell Viability
Published on: June 21, 2015
Effective removal of copper by plasma exchange in fulminant Wilson's disease
J E Kiss1, D Berman, D Van Thiel
1Division of Hematology/Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA.
Background:
Patients who present with fulminant hepatic failure due to Wilson's disease may develop hemolytic anemia and renal insufficiency. In this entity, acute hepatocellular necrosis triggers the release of copper ions into the circulation, which leads to toxic effects on red cell metabolic pathways and hemolysis.
Study Design And Methods:
The utility of therapeutic plasma exchange to rapidly remove copper and reduce toxic serum copper levels was studied in two patients with fulminant Wilson's disease.
Results:
Intensive plasma exchange using fresh-frozen plasma replacement removed substantial amounts of copper from the hypercupremic patients, resulting in a rapid reduction in serum copper levels and decreased hemolysis. The net copper removal was proportional to the serum level, ranging from 7,000 to 11,800 micrograms per procedure in one patient and from 3,700 to 6,800 micrograms in the other.
Conclusion:
Plasma exchange allows a rapid reduction in elevated serum copper levels in patients with fulminant Wilson's disease. This leads to an amelioration of hemolytic anemia and provides clinical stabilization until liver transplantation can be performed.
More Related Videos
11:04Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides
Published on: September 7, 2019
06:52Positron Emission Tomography Using 64-Copper as a Tracer for the Study of Copper-Related Disorders
Published on: April 28, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Extraction: Advanced Methods
Enhanced Elimination of Poison
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
Hepatic Drug Excretion: Enterohepatic Cycling
Post-release drugs and metabolites can be reabsorbed into the body from the intestine. For conjugated metabolites like glucuronides, reabsorption requires enzymatic hydrolysis by intestinal microflora. This...
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Hemoperfusion and Hemofiltration
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy