A patient with short bowel syndrome maintained on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was administrated copper sulfate ( 300μg/day) from 18 to 22 months after TPN. The effect of copper administration on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) function was studied. The plasma copper level was remarkably low, and the symptom of copper deficiency such as leukocyto-penia or anemia was found before copper administration. The plasma copper concentrations were immediately increased after copper administration. The numbers of WBC and RBC, and the concentrations of Hb were also increased. Release of myeloperoxidase, which plays an important role in the microbicidal activity of PMN, was gradually increased after copper administration. Total activities of β-glucuronidase were also increased. While, no significant change was observed in superoxide anion production and chemotaxis of PMN.
