Serum microminerals and the indices of lipid metabolism in an apparently healthy population

Abstract

Serum copper and zinc concentrations were measured in 560 apparently healthy Kuwaitis (238 males and 322 females) aged 15-80 years to assess micromineral effect on the indices of lipid metabolism. Following the recommended guidelines of the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) and the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel (NCEPEP), the incidence of dyslipidemia was assessed from enzymatic assay data of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations. Males had significantly lower TC (P=0.029) and HDL-C (P<0.0001) levels than females, while TG were significantly (P=0.023) lower in females. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated LDL-C, and low HDL-C levels were 35, 30, 22, and 13%, respectively. Copper did not correlate with zinc (r = -0.067, P = 0.135) but was positively associated with TC (r=0.196, P<0.0001), LDL-C (r=0.134, P = 0.003), TG (r = 0.092, P=0.039), and age (r=0.281, P<0.0001). It is concluded that unlike in animal studies, copper excess in humans is associated with hyperlipidemia and therefore will predispose to atherosclerosis.

Association between Serum Copper and Serum Lipids in Adults

“…In agreement with the present study, an earlier Lebanon study showed that serum copper was positively associated with TC and LDL cholesterol [18]. A similar result was also found in Kuwaitis, and the study indicated that high serum copper concentration was not only associated with high TC and LDL cholesterol, but also with high TG [16]. Furthermore, the Slovakia study showed that high serum copper status was associated with increased levels of TC and LDL cholesterol but with decreased levels of HDL cholesterol among men [19].…”

“…Most studies suggested that serum copper level was positively associated with TC [16][17][18], LDL cholesterol [16,19], or TG [16,20,21]. However, some studies found no evidence of associations between serum copper and TC [20], TG [17,18,22], LDL cholesterol [17,23], and HDL cholesterol [16,21,22]. In addition, other studies found that serum copper was inversely related to TC [23] and HDL cholesterol [23][24][25].…”

“…Previous experimental studies in animals [13][14][15] consistently found that severe copper deficiency could raise serum cholesterol, whereas, results of studies on the effect of serum copper on lipid metabolism in human subjects were inconsistent. Most studies suggested that serum copper level was positively associated with TC [16][17][18], LDL cholesterol [16,19], or TG [16,20,21]. However, some studies found no evidence of associations between serum copper and TC [20], TG [17,18,22], LDL cholesterol [17,23], and HDL cholesterol [16,21,22].…”

Plasma copper status in hypercholesterolemic patients

“…ThuillerJeteau et al (1987) reported increased Cu status in hypercholesterolemia. Abiaka et al (2003) observed that unlike in animal studies, copper excess in humans is associated with hypercholesterolemia and therefore will predispose to atherosclerosis. Aoyama et al (1999) observed that serum cholesterol did not increase in rats fed with copper-deficient diets, though copper in serum decreased markedly in rats.…”

Importance of zinc in the elderly: the ZENITH study

“…A high level of MT prevents Cu absorption/uptake into the intestine, liver, and kidney (Disilvestro & Cousins, 1983). Cu deficiency adversely affects lipid metabolism by decreasing HDL-cholesterol (Abiaka et al, 2003) and predisposes to cardiovascular abnormalities, by a mechanism which may involve free radical scavenging (Klevay et al, 1994). Moreover, Cu deficiency impairs lysyl oxidase function, an indispensable enzyme for structural integrity of vascular connective tissues (Allen & Klevay, 1978).…”