Manganese
Vitaminas y mineralesÚltima revisión: 7 de abril de 2026. Enfoque de fuentes: contexto estándar de interpretación de laboratorio, material médico de referencia y orientación clínica o de salud pública cuando corresponde.
¿Qué es Manganese?
Manganese is an essential trace mineral required for the activity of several important metalloenzymes, including manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD, the primary mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme), arginase (urea cycle), pyruvate carboxylase (gluconeogenesis), and glycosyltransferases (proteoglycan and glycoprotein synthesis critical for cartilage and bone formation). Manganese also activates numerous other enzymes as a nonspecific cofactor, though magnesium can often substitute in these roles.
Dietary sources of manganese include whole grains, nuts, legumes, tea, leafy vegetables, and pineapple. Absorption occurs in the small intestine via DMT1 (the same transporter used by iron), and homeostasis is primarily maintained by hepatic regulation of biliary excretion rather than by controlling absorption. Whole blood manganese is the preferred clinical specimen, as serum levels are very low and less reliable. Occupational exposure (welding, mining, steel manufacturing) is the most common cause of manganese toxicity, which causes a characteristic parkinsonian syndrome known as manganism.
Por qué importa
Manganese plays a critical role as the cofactor for MnSOD, the primary antioxidant defense within mitochondria—without it, mitochondrial oxidative damage accumulates. Manganese is also essential for normal bone development and maintenance through its role in glycosyltransferases that synthesize proteoglycans in cartilage and bone matrix. While dietary deficiency is extremely rare in humans, manganese toxicity from occupational or environmental exposure is a well-documented cause of irreversible neurological damage that closely resembles Parkinson disease. The narrow therapeutic window of manganese (essential at low doses, toxic at higher levels) makes monitoring important in at-risk populations.
Rangos de referencia normales
| Grupo | Rango | Unidad |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (whole blood) | 4.7–18.3 | µg/L |
| Adults (serum) | 0.4–0.85 | µg/L |
Los rangos de referencia pueden variar entre laboratorios. Compara siempre tus resultados con los rangos proporcionados por tu laboratorio.
Qué significan los niveles altos de Mn
Causas comunes
- Occupational exposure (welding fumes, mining, steel/battery manufacturing)
- Contaminated drinking water
- Chronic liver disease (impaired biliary excretion)
- Prolonged parenteral nutrition with manganese
- Iron deficiency (increased intestinal absorption via shared transporters)
- Neonates and infants (immature biliary excretion)
Posibles síntomas
- Manganism: bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor (resembles Parkinson disease)
- Psychiatric symptoms: irritability, aggression, hallucinations ("manganese madness")
- Cognitive impairment and memory loss
- Gait abnormalities (characteristic "cock walk")
- Headaches and insomnia (early symptoms)
- Hepatic dysfunction
Qué hacer: Remove the source of exposure immediately—this is the most critical intervention. In occupational settings, ensure proper ventilation and respiratory protection. For parenteral nutrition, reduce or eliminate manganese supplementation and monitor levels. Chelation therapy with EDTA or para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) has shown some benefit, but neurological damage from chronic exposure is often irreversible. Brain MRI typically shows T1-weighted hyperintensity in the globus pallidus, a hallmark finding. Levodopa is less effective for manganism than for Parkinson disease.
Qué significan los niveles bajos de Mn
Causas comunes
- Extremely restrictive diets (very rare cause of clinical deficiency)
- Chronic malabsorption (theoretical)
- Excessive iron or calcium supplementation (competitive inhibition)
Posibles síntomas
- Impaired bone growth and skeletal abnormalities (observed in animals)
- Dermatitis
- Impaired glucose tolerance
- Altered lipid metabolism
- Impaired reproductive function (observed in animals)
Qué hacer: Clinical manganese deficiency is exceptionally rare in free-living humans and has only been clearly documented in experimental settings. If suspected, ensure adequate dietary intake through whole grains, nuts, tea, and leafy vegetables. The adequate intake is 2.3 mg/day for men and 1.8 mg/day for women. Avoid excessive iron or calcium supplementation that could compete with manganese absorption. Most varied diets provide sufficient manganese.
¿Cuándo se recomienda la prueba de Mn?
- In workers with occupational exposure to manganese (welding, mining)
- When parkinsonian symptoms occur in young individuals
- In patients on long-term parenteral nutrition
- When chronic liver disease may impair manganese excretion
- In environmental exposure investigations
- When unexplained neuropsychiatric symptoms are present in at-risk populations
Preguntas frecuentes
Biomarcadores relacionados
Referencias y enfoque de revisión
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Subir resultados de laboratorio →Aviso médico: Esta información es solo educativa y no sustituye el consejo, diagnóstico ni tratamiento médico profesional. Los rangos de referencia pueden variar entre laboratorios. Consulta siempre a tu profesional sanitario para interpretar tus resultados concretos.