The objective of the present work was an attempt to detect the reason of elevated copper serum concentrations in patients with leg ulcers of a mixed etiology. In a group of patients with leg ulcers (n=42) an increase of the serum copper concentrations was observed - the arithmetic mean was 61.0 mol/l, age 32-82 years as compared with a group of healthy subjects (n=72), arithmetic mean 19.45 mol/l, age 30-82 years. The molecular cause of this increase is not known. However, the conclusion was drawn that the cause of this increase of the copper concentration in patients is a metabolic reaction of the organism which traps a larger amount of copper from food as a result of iron deficiency in plasma and the ensuing reduced binding capacity of iron and transferrin. The increased copper level leads to better iron utilization by the body and support thus the immune system of the organism. To achieve an equilibrium of all chemical processes in these patients it is important to add not only iron but also other substances such a zinc, vitamin C, and other mineral substances.

        Key words: copper - vitamin C - leg ulcer of mixed etiology