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Molybdenum, Mo

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Molybdenum functions as a cofactor for a limited number of enzymes in humans. Molybdenum is known since ancient times, often with was considered as lead. It was first defined in 1778 and was first produced in 1893. Only a few decades after that began a serious study of its significance for man.

In addition to humans, molybdenum is important for the entire ecosystem, as part as a cofactor for numerous enzymes involved in the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur in nature.

Molybdenum is found in the body in very small amounts, but its role is important in many biological processes including development of the nervous system, dispersing waste substances from the body through the kidneys and the production of energy in cells.

Physiological role of molybdenum

Molybdenum acts as a cofactor for following enzymes: (1) Sulfide oxidase catalyzes the transformation of sulfite to sulfate (detoxification) and plays a role in the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cystine). (2) Xanthine oxidase catalyzes the breakdown of nucleotides. (3) Aldehyde oxidase with xanthine oxidase catalyze reactions of hydroxylation which involve many molecules of similar structure, and are also involved in the metabolism of various drugs and toxins.

Metabolism

The main role of molybdenum is its metabolic role. Molybdenum is due to unique chemical properties the biological catalysts for reactions in which there is a transfer of protons and electrons, and it is possible the oxygen transfer in conjunction with these reactions. Enzymes which contain molybdenum in humans are:

Sulfide oxidase catalyzes the transformation of sulfite to sulfate (detoxification) and plays a role in the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cystine),

Xanthine oxidase catalyzes the breakdown of nucleotides,

Aldehyde oxidase with xanthine oxidase catalyze reactions of hydroxylation which involve many molecules of similar structure, and are also involved in the metabolism of various drugs and toxins.

The primary route of molybdenum excretion is the urine. Urinary molybdenum reflects dietary intake, increasing as dietary intake increases. When molybdenum intake is low, about 60 percent of ingested molybdenum is excreted in the urine, but when molybdenum intake is high, over 90 percent is excreted in the urine.

Food sources of molybdenum

The molybdenum content of plant foods varies depending upon the soil content in which they are grown. Legumes are major contributors of molybdenum in the diet, as well as grain products and nuts. Animal products, fruits, and many vegetables are generally low in molybdenum.

Recommended daily allowance

 

 

μg/day of Mo

 

 

EAR

RDA

Infants

0–6 months

2.0

NA

 

7–12 months

3.0

NA

Children

1–3 years

13

17

 

4–8 years

17

22

Boys

9–13 years

26

34

 

14–18 years

33

43

Girls

9–13 years

26

34

 

14–18 years

33

43

Men and Women

19–50 years

34

45

 

51–70 years

34

45

 

> 70 years

34

45

Pregnancy

 

40

50

NA – Not available; EAR - Estimated Average Requirement; RDA - Recommended Dietary Allowance

Molybdenum deficiency

Lack of molybdenum in humans is very rare and may occur in areas where the soil has little molybdenum. It is often associated with a tumor of the esophagus.

It is noticed that patients with Crohn's disease have insufficient amount of molybdenum. Symptoms that occur are: rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, headache, night blindness, low levels of uric acid in plasma and urine, low levels of sulfate in the urine, and increased levels of sulphites.

Lack of molybdenum could be observed in people with a genetic predisposition to poor absorption of molybdenum in the body.

Overdose

The high amount of molybdenum in the body leads to poor digestibility of copper and to anemia. Excess molybdenum can enter the body in steel industry or coal. Symptoms of excess molybdenum in the body are skin and eye irritation, fatigue, headache, joint pain, gout, diarrhea, anemia, retarded growth.

Molybdenum in medicine

Molybdenum is used to treat Wilson's disease (a disorder of copper metabolism in the body). They are many studies on the role of molybdenum in the treatment of tumors.

References

Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Micronutrients, 2001, “Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc,” Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 11, Molybdenum. [Web Reference]

Pennington J.A. and Jones J.W., 1987, “Molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, and strontium in total diets,” Journal of the American Dietetic Association; 87(12): 1644-1650. [Web Reference]

Soetan K.O., Olaiya C. O. and Oyewole O.E., 2010, “The importance of mineral elements for humans, domestic animals and plants-A review,” African Journal of Food Science; 4(5): 200-222. [Web Reference]

Tsongas T.A., et al., 19080, “Molybdenum in the diet: an estimate of average daily intake in the United States,” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; 33(5): 1103-1107. [Web Reference]

Turnlund J.R., Keyes W.R. and Peiffer G.L., 1995, “Molybdenum absorption, excretion, and retention studied with stable isotopes in young men at five intakes of dietary molybdenum,” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; 62(4): 790-796. [Web Reference]

Turnlund J.R., et al., 1995, “Molybdenum absorption, excretion, and retention studied with stable isotopes in young men during depletion and repletion,” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; 61(5): 1102-1109. [Web Reference]

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