COMPUTER-SIMULATION OF NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL COPPER-METABOLISM IN MAN

A digital computer simulation of copper metabolism was used to simulate human copper metabolism. The simulation agrees well with the normal data extant. Wilson's disease (hepatolenticular degeneration) and Menkes' disease (steely-hair syndrome) were simulated. Simulation of the unavailability of accumulated liver copper simulated Wilson's disease if it was assumed that the increased urinary excretion was due to induction of an enzymic mechanism for enhanced excretion. This would be consistent with the genetic defect causing only the sequestering of unavailable copper in the liver. Other genetic defects need not be present. Menkes' disease is also a genetic disease affecting the newborn. It was simulated successfully as a defect in absorption of copper from the gastrointestinal tract.