Leucocyte copper, a marker of copper body status is low in coronary artery disease.

To elucidate the relationship between leucocyte copper as a reliable, sensitive index of copper body status and extent of atherosclerosis in patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) the present case-control study was carried out. 80 subjects were studied (23 females and 57 males), aged between 30-70, due to have a angiography. Individual angiograms were scored by combining the individual scores in all the major coronary arteries into one score of a scale 1.00 for patency to 0.00 for severe CAD. Serum and leucocyte copper and zinc were determined by GFAAS. No significant difference between patients with advanced CAD and relatively normal arteries were observed in the lipid profile and levels of plasma copper. Leucocyte copper had a significant link with the severity of atherosclerosis which was independent of sex. There was a linear relationship between the degree of decreasing leucocyte copper concentration and angiogram score. These findings give support to the hypothesis that marginal copper status, assessed by decreased leucocyte copper level, is associated with developing CAD.

Vitamin and mineral nutritional status and other biochemical data assessed in groups of men from Crevalcore and Montegiorgio (Italy).

The vitamin and mineral nutritional status of 34 elderly (mean age 77.6 +/- 4.7 years) and 39 younger subjects (mean age 41.7 +/- 7.5 years) from Crevalcore and Montegiorgio (the two rural areas of The Seven Countries Study) was studied. Comparisons have been made between centres, between age groups, and with data obtained from similar surveys performed in 1960 and 1970. Levels of thiamin and riboflavin nutritional status were higher in 1991 than in 1970. Plasma retinol values were above levels of deficiency, but vitamin E and beta-carotene tended to be low. The zinc status of the populations, as assessed by leucocyte zinc concentrations, was generally low. A decline in copper intake during the past ten years may be responsible for the low leucocyte copper concentration which was more apparent in the younger subjects. Serum cholesterol was above, and HDL cholesterol below, the European Atherosclerosis Society recommendations.

[Lipid mobilizing activity in blood serum during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle]. / Aktywnosc mobilizujaca lipidy surowicy krwi w fazie folikularnej i lutealnej cyklu miesiaczkowego.

The lipid mobilising activity of woman's blood serum in the follicular and luteal phases has been investigated. This activity was determined according to the Buckle method concerning parametrial adipose tissue of female rats. It was found to enhance the lipid mobilising activity in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The increment of the lipid mobilising activity in the luteal phase was lower than in the follicular phase.

[Calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc in blood serum in men with femoral atherosclerosis]. / Wapn, magnez, miedz i cynk w surowicy krwi mezczyzn z miazdzyca tetnic udowych.

Calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc were determined in serum in men with femoral atherosclerosis. Also total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol were estimated. Subjects in control group were in the same range of age. The present study compares two methods of preparing serum for the flame atomic absorption spectrometry. In the first method (I), serum was diluted by the demineralized water. In the second method (II), serum protein was precipitated by trichloracetic acid (TCA). We found that the first method (I) was simpler and more precise than the other. The optimal proportions of serum and water amounted to 1 + 62 for calcium and magnesium and the coefficient of variation (C.V.) was 2.8%. For copper and zinc, the optimal dilution was 1 + 3 (C.V. = 1%). Total cholesterol was significantly higher (p < 0.05) and HDL-cholesterol was lower (p < 0.05) in subjects with femoral atherosclerosis as compared with controls. There was no difference in LDL-cholesterol. Subjects with femoral atherosclerosis had significantly higher level of all micro- and macroelements determined, then those of the control group (p < 0.05). However, higher serum copper does not necessary mean higher copper body status. It is possible that higher serum copper in femoral atherosclerosis reflects the transfer of copper from the tissue to the ceruloplasmin, as an acute phase reaction. On the other hand, the differences in serum magnesium, calcium, copper and zinc concentrations, may indicate the possible involvement of these elements in the disorder of total and HDL-cholesterol in femoral atherosclerosis.