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

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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 notact to lessen human diseases after the reproductive and caregivingperiod and that normal levels of iron and copper that may behealthy during the reproductive years appear to be contributingto diseases of aging and possibly the aging process itself.It is clear that oxidant damage contributes to many of the diseasesof aging, such as atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease,Parkinson’s diseases, diabetes, diseases of inflammation,diseases of fibrosis, diseases of autoimmunity, and so on. Itis equally clear that both iron and copper can contribute toexcess production of damaging reactive oxygen species throughFenton chemistry. Here, we examine the evidence that “normal”levels of iron and copper contribute to various diseases ofaging.

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

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

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