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iron accumulates in human lesions
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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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