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The abundance of metal binding proteins may be inherent to the amino acids that proteins use, as even artificial proteins without evolutionary history will readily bind metals. [8] Most metals in the human body are bound to proteins. For instance, the relatively high concentration of iron in the human body is mostly due to the iron in hemoglobin.
Metals have been used in treatments since ancient times. The Ebers Papyrus from 1500BC is the first written account of the use of metals for treatment and describes the use of Copper to reduce inflammation and the use of iron to treat anemia. Sodium vanadate has been used since the early 20th century to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Iron is both necessary to the body and potentially toxic. Controlling iron levels in the body is a critically important part of many aspects of human health and disease. Hematologists have been especially interested in systemic iron metabolism, because iron is essential for red blood cells, where most of the human body's iron is contained.
Inhalation of nitrous oxide is used frequently to relieve pain associated with childbirth, trauma, oral surgery and acute coronary syndrome (including heart attacks). Its use during labour has been shown to be a safe and effective aid for birthing women. [95] Its use for acute coronary syndrome is of unknown benefit. [96]
Manganese was first isolated in the 1770s. It is a transition metal with a multifaceted array of industrial alloy uses, particularly in stainless steels. It improves strength, workability, and resistance to wear. Manganese oxide is used as an oxidising agent; as a rubber additive; and in glass making, fertilisers, and ceramics.
Zinc oxide is used as a white pigment in paints. Roughly one quarter of all zinc output in the United States in 2009 was consumed in zinc compounds; [123] a variety of which are used industrially. Zinc oxide is widely used as a white pigment in paints and as a catalyst in the manufacture of rubber to disperse
In alternative fashion, nitrite anions on sun-exposed skin may be photolyzed to free nitric oxide radicals by UVA in sunlight. [19] This mechanism may elicit significant changes to the systemic blood circulation in humans and be exploited for therapeutic purposes. [20] Nasal breathing also produces nitric oxide within the body. [21] [22] [23] [24]
It is "typically the second most abundant transition metal in organisms" after iron and it is the only metal which appears in all enzyme classes. [111] There are 2–4 grams of zinc [ 114 ] distributed throughout the human body, [ 115 ] and it plays "ubiquitous biological roles". [ 116 ]