Biomarkers

Target: Manganese

Manganese is an essential trace metal found in all forms of life. Physiologically, it exists as an ion in the body. It is concentrated in cell mitochondria, mostly in the pituitary gland, liver, pancreas, kidney, and bone, The human body contains about 12 mg of manganese, mostly in the bones. The soft tissue remainder is concentrated in the liver and kidney. In biology, manganese(II) ions function as cofactors for a large variety of enzymes with many functions. Manganese enzymes are particularly essential in detoxification of superoxide free radicals in organisms that must deal with elemental oxygen. Manganese is a cofactor for several enzymes including arginase and alkaline phosphatase in the liver. Manganese also functions in the oxygen-evolving complex of photosynthetic plants. While manganese is a required trace mineral for all known living organisms, it also acts as a neurotoxin in larger amounts. Excessive exposure or intake may lead to a condition known as manganism, a neurodegenerative disorder that causes dopaminergic neuronal death and symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease.