The Interaction between Copper and Coronary Risk Indicators.

Abstract

SUMMARYWe studied the effects of external copper exposure on plasma copper, serum lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in workers who have excessive contact with copper. Fifty-eight healthy Turkish males who were working in the copper processing industry and 33 control subjects were examined. Copper concentration was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry, lipid and lipoprotein levels were detected by spectrophotometry and apolipoproteins were measured with a nephelometer.There was no significant difference in plasma copper between the workers and the controls. However, in the worker group, the mean levels of TC, LDL-C, apoAI, apoB and Lp (a) were significantly higher while the mean level of HDL-C was significantly lower than that of the controls. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between plasma copper and LDL-C only in the workers group.Our findings suggest that excessive contact with copper may contribute to coronary risk factors. (Jpn Heart J 2001; 42: 281-286)

Determinants of serum copper, zinc and selenium in healthy subjects

“…We, like Jiang et al, 52 did not ¢nd a strong association between serum copper and LDL cholesterol, as previously reported for a Kuwaiti population in which it was also found that high environmental exposure to copper was associated with high serum LDL concentrations. 53 However, Jiang et al 52 report a negative association between serum copper and HDL cholesterol concentrations in their sample from South China. According to the zinc/copper hypothesis of Klevay,40 which was based on observational studies in man and experimental studies in rats, dietary de¢ciency of copper, either alone or in association with a high zinc intake, is associated with hypercholesterolaemia and increased risk of atherosclerosis.…”

“…We, like Jiang et al, 52 did not ¢nd a strong association between serum copper and LDL cholesterol, as previously reported for a Kuwaiti population in which it was also found that high environmental exposure to copper was associated with high serum LDL concentrations. 53 However, Jiang et al 52 report a negative association between serum copper and HDL cholesterol concentrations in their sample from South China.…”

Intoxicación por cobre

“…Existe amplia evidencia epidemiológica y experimental que demuestra una relación directa entre el cobre adquirido por la dieta y la incidencia de enfermedades aterogénicas (Ferns et al, 1997;Adam et al, 2001). A su vez, algunos estudios caso-control han sugerido un rol central en los aumentos de los niveles de CRP como marcador del componente inflamatorio en los pacientes con VD.…”