Blood copper and zinc levels and copper-related antioxidant enzyme activities in hypercholesterolemic subjects

Hypercholesterolemia has been shown to be a consequence of dietary copper (Cu) deficiency in experimental animals. There are several biochemical changes induced by Cu deficiency. We examined the lipid level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), ceruloplasmin (Cp) and plasma Cu and Zn levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects (N=23, total cholesterol (TC)≤ 240 mg/dL); borderline hypercholesterolemic subjects (N=31, 200 ≤ TC <240 mg/dL) and control subjects (N=25, TC <200 mg/dL). Total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels were higher in hypercholesterolemic subjects than in the normal subjects (p <0.05). Hypercholesterolemic subjects had lower Cu levels than the control subjects (p <0.05). The SOD, Cp, and Zn levels in the hypercholesterolemic subjects did not significantly differ from those in the control group. Lipid levels were not related to plasma Cu, SOD, and Cp among the three groups. Plasma GSHPx levels were positively correlated with SOD and Cp values in the control subjects (r= 0.40, r=0.45, p