CUPRIZONE Meaning and
Definition
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Cuprizone is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C4H6CuO4. It is a synthetic copper chelator widely used in laboratory research for inducing demyelination and studying the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) in animal models.
The substance was first discovered and introduced as a demyelinating agent by Köppe and Schlörer in the early 1960s. Cuprizone has been primarily employed in studies involving rodents, particularly mice and rats, to induce the degradation of myelin, the protective layer around nerve fibers in the central nervous system. By feeding animals a diet containing cuprizone, researchers are able to simulate demyelination, which mimics the pathological characteristics observed in MS patients.
Cuprizone promotes demyelination by interfering with the copper-dependent enzyme systems responsible for myelin metabolism. It particularly affects oligodendrocytes, the cells that produce and maintain the myelin sheath. The compound's chelating properties enable it to bind with copper ions in the brain, disrupting their availability for essential enzymatic reactions. This process leads to the degeneration of myelin and subsequent neurological deficits.
Due to its ability to induce demyelination effectively, cuprizone has played a vital role in advancing the understanding of MS pathology and the development of potential therapeutic approaches targeting remyelination. It continues to be an important tool in preclinical research for investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying demyelinating diseases.
Common Misspellings for CUPRIZONE
Etymology of CUPRIZONE
The word "Cuprizone" is a compound word derived from two parts: "cupri" and "zone".
The term "cupri" is derived from the Latin word "cuprum", which means "copper". It refers to the chemical element copper, which is denoted by the symbol Cu in the periodic table.
The second part, "zone", is a common suffix used to indicate a specific region or area. It is derived from the Greek word "zōnē", meaning "belt" or "girdle".
Therefore, the word "Cuprizone" essentially means "copper region" or "copper belt". This name is likely related to the fact that Cuprizone is a copper chelator, a chemical compound that can bind to copper ions.
