Experimental Biology and Medicine > Volume 232, Number 2 > Pp. 323-335

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Iron and Copper Toxicity in Diseases of Aging, Particularly Atherosclerosis and Alzheimer’s Disease

George J. Brewer1

Department of Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

¹ 5024 Kresge Bldg. II, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0534. E-mail: brewergj{at}umich.edu

In this review, we point out that natural selection does not act to lessen human diseases after the reproductive and caregiving period and that normal levels of iron and copper that may be healthy during the reproductive years appear to be contributing to diseases of aging and possibly the aging process itself. It is clear that oxidant damage contributes to many of the diseases of aging, such as atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s diseases, diabetes, diseases of inflammation, diseases of fibrosis, diseases of autoimmunity, and so on. It is equally clear that both iron and copper can contribute to excess production of damaging reactive oxygen species through Fenton chemistry. Here, we examine the evidence that "normal" levels of iron and copper contribute to various diseases of aging.

Keywords: iron, copper, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease

The investigations in our laboratory have been supported in part by Attenuon LLC, San Diego, California, and Pipex Therapeutics, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, who are developing tetrathiomolybdate for various uses. Dr. Brewer has equity in, and is a paid consultant, for both companies.

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