Topic: Metabolic Mysteries: The Role of Copper Dysregulation in Liver Disease

The intricate relationship between trace elements and metabolic health has garnered increasing attention in recent years, particularly regarding the role of copper dysregulation in liver disease. Copper is an essential micronutrient that plays a pivotal role in various biochemical processes, including energy metabolism, antioxidant defense, and the synthesis of critical enzymes. However, when copper regulation is disrupted, it can lead to significant pathophysiological consequences, particularly in the liver, which is a key organ for copper homeostasis.

This Special Issue, titled "Metabolic Mysteries: The Role of Copper Dysregulation in Liver Disease," aims to illuminate the multifaceted interactions between copper metabolism and liver function. It seeks to explore how abnormalities in copper handling contribute to the development and progression of liver diseases such as Wilson's disease, Menke’s disease, acute copper toxicity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and alcohol-related liver disease. Through a collection of original research articles and reviews, we will delve into the molecular mechanisms underlying copper-induced hepatotoxicity, its impact on metabolic pathways, and potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate these effects.

By bringing together leading experts in the fields of hepatology, biochemistry, and nutrition, this issue endeavors to foster a deeper understanding of how copper dysregulation serves as both a biomarker and a therapeutic target in liver pathology. We hope that these contributions will stimulate further research in this crucial area and ultimately enhance our ability to diagnose and treat liver diseases associated with metabolic disturbances.

We invite you to engage with this compelling body of work that promises to unravel some of the metabolic mysteries surrounding copper dysregulation and its profound implications for liver health.

We encourage the submission of original research articles, reviews, editorials, short communications, and other contributions that explore various aspects of copper dysregulation and its implications for liver disease.

Wolfgang Stremmel and Ralf Weiskirchen