atherosclerosis / iron



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<<snip>> iron accumulates in human lesions <<snip>>

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2004 Mar 4 [Epub ahead of
print] Links

Direct Detection and Quantification of Transition Metal Ions
in Human Atherosclerotic Plaques: Evidence for the Presence
of Elevated Levels of Iron and Copper.

Stadler N, Lindner RA, Davies MJ.

The Heart Research Institute, Sydney, Australia.

OBJECTIVE: The involvement of transition metals in
atherosclerosis is controversial. Some epidemiological
studies have reported a relationship between iron (Fe) and
cardiovascular disease, whereas others have not.
Experimental studies have reported elevated levels of iron
and copper (Cu) in diseased human arteries but have often
used methods that release metal ions from proteins. METHODS
AND RESULTS: In this study, we have used the minimally
invasive technique of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)
spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass
spectroscopy (ICPMS) to quantify iron and copper in ex vivo
healthy human arteries and carotid lesions. The EPR spectra
detected are characteristic of nonheme Fe(III) complexes.
Statistically elevated levels of iron were detected in the
intima of lesions compared with healthy controls (0.370
versus 0.022 nmol/mg tissue for EPR, 0.525 versus 0.168
nmol/mg tissue by ICPMS, P<0.05 in each cases). Elevated
levels of copper were also detected (7.51 versus 2.01
pmol/mg tissue, lesion versus healthy control, respectively,
P<0.05). Iron levels did not correlate with the gender or
age of the donor, or tissue protein or calcium levels, but
cholesterol levels correlated positively with iron
accumulation, as measured by EPR. CONCLUSIONS: These data
support the hypothesis that iron accumulates in human
lesions and may contribute to disease progression.

PMID: 15001454 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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