Hypertension Induced Alterations in Copper and Zinc Metabolism: A Link to Vascular Disease?

Abstract

Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and other industrialized countries. Although the etiology of disease is without question multifactorial in nature, several potential risk factors have been agreed upon. These risk factors include hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, electrocardiogram abnormalities, cigarette smoking and diabetes.¹ During the last decade it has been proposed that Cu deficiency may also be a significant risk factor for vascular disease. This hypothesis has been based on the observations that severe Cu deficiency in experimental and domestic animals can result in connective tissue defects producing myocardial damage and aortic aneurysms, and that the dietary intake of Cu is often below that suggested by health agencies.^2,3 Furthermore, the risk of Cu deficiency is thought to be increased by the consumption of excess Zn in the diet, as these two elements can be biologically antagonistic.^3–5