Editing Molybdenum (section)

===Excess and copper antagonism===
High levels of molybdenum can interfere with the body's uptake of [[copper]], producing [[copper deficiency]]. Molybdenum prevents plasma proteins from binding to copper, and it also increases the amount of copper that is excreted in [[urine]]. [[Ruminant]]s that consume high levels of molybdenum suffer from [[diarrhea]], stunted growth, [[anemia]], and [[Human hair color#Aging or achromotrichia|achromotrichia]] (loss of fur pigment). These symptoms can be alleviated by copper supplements, either dietary and injection.<ref name="suttle">{{cite journal|last = Suttle|first = N. F.|title = Recent studies of the copper-molybdenum antagonism|journal = Proceedings of the Nutrition Society|volume = 33|issue = 3|pages = 299–305|date= 1974|doi = 10.1079/PNS19740053|pmid = 4617883|doi-access = free}}</ref> The effective copper deficiency can be aggravated by excess [[sulfur]].<ref name="Nostrand" /><ref>Hauer, Gerald [http://www.bisoncentre.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=256 Copper deficiency in cattle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910172605/http://www.bisoncentre.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=256 |date=2011-09-10 }}. Bison Producers of Alberta. Accessed Dec. 16, 2010.</ref>

Copper reduction or deficiency can also be deliberately induced for therapeutic purposes by the compound [[ammonium tetrathiomolybdate]], in which the bright red anion '''tetrathiomolybdate''' is the copper-chelating agent. Tetrathiomolybdate was first used therapeutically in the treatment of [[copper toxicosis]] in animals. It was then introduced as a treatment in [[Wilson's disease]], a hereditary copper metabolism disorder in humans; it acts both by competing with copper absorption in the bowel and by increasing excretion. It has also been found to have an inhibitory effect on [[angiogenesis]], potentially by inhibiting the membrane translocation process that is dependent on copper ions.<ref>{{cite journal|author = Nickel, W|title = The Mystery of nonclassical protein secretion, a current view on cargo proteins and potential export routes|journal = [[Eur. J. Biochem.]]|date = 2003|volume = 270|pages = 2109–2119|doi = 10.1046/j.1432-1033.2003.03577.x|pmid=12752430|issue = 10|doi-access = free}}</ref> This is a promising avenue for investigation of treatments for [[cancer]], [[age-related macular degeneration]], and other diseases that involve a pathologic proliferation of blood vessels.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Brewer GJ|title=Treatment of Wilson disease with ammonium tetrathiomolybdate: III. Initial therapy in a total of 55 neurologically affected patients and follow-up with zinc therapy |journal=Arch Neurol |date=2003 |volume=60 |issue=3 |pages=379–85 |pmid=12633149 |doi=10.1001/archneur.60.3.379|last2=Hedera|first2=P.|last3=Kluin|first3=K. J.|last4=Carlson|first4=M.|last5=Askari|first5=F.|last6=Dick|first6=R. B.|last7=Sitterly|first7=J.|last8=Fink|first8=J. K.|doi-access=}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|pmid=10656425|date=2000|last1=Brewer|first1=G. J.|last2=Dick|first2=R. D.|last3=Grover|first3=D. K.|last4=Leclaire|first4=V.|last5=Tseng|first5=M.|last6=Wicha|first6=M.|last7=Pienta|first7=K.|last8=Redman|first8=B. G.|last9=Jahan|first9=T.|last10=Sondak |first10=V. K.|last11=Strawderman |first11=M.|last12=LeCarpentier |first12=G.|last13=Merajver |first13=S. D.| title=Treatment of metastatic cancer with tetrathiomolybdate, an anticopper, antiangiogenic agent: Phase I study|volume=6|issue=1|pages=1–10|journal=Clinical Cancer Research}}</ref>

In some grazing livestock, most strongly in cattle, molybdenum excess in the soil of pasturage can produce scours ([[diarrhea]]) if the pH of the soil is neutral to alkaline; see [[wikt:teart#English|teartness]].