Atherosclerotic lesion-specific copper delivery suppresses atherosclerosis in high-cholesterol-fed rabbits

Cuproptosis and copper deficiency in ischemic vascular injury and repair

Ischemic vascular diseases are on the rise globally, including ischemic heart diseases, ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, and ischemic peripheral arterial diseases, posing a significant threat to life. Copper is an essential element in various biological processes, copper deficiency can reduce blood vessel elasticity and increase platelet aggregation, thereby increasing the risk of ischemic vascular disease; however, excess copper ions can lead to cytotoxicity, trigger cell death, and ultimately result in vascular injury through several signaling pathways. Herein, we review the role of cuproptosis and copper deficiency implicated in ischemic injury and repair including myocardial, cerebral, and limb ischemia. We conclude with a perspective on the therapeutic opportunities and future challenges of copper biology in understanding the pathogenesis of ischemic vascular disease states.

Copper homeostasis and copper-induced cell death： Novel targeting for intervention in the pathogenesis of vascular aging

Copper-induced cell death, also known as cuproptosis, is distinct from other types of cell death such as apoptosis, necrosis, and ferroptosis. It can trigger the accumulation of lethal reactive oxygen species, leading to the onset and progression of aging. The significant increases in copper ion levels in the aging populations confirm a close relationship between copper homeostasis and vascular aging. On the other hand, vascular aging is also closely related to the occurrence of various cardiovascular diseases throughout the aging process. However, the specific causes of vascular aging are not clear, and different living environments and stress patterns can lead to individualized vascular aging. By exploring the correlations between copper-induced cell death and vascular aging, we can gain a novel perspective on the pathogenesis of vascular aging and enhance the prognosis of atherosclerosis. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the impacts of copper homeostasis on vascular aging, including their effects on endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, oxidative stress, ferroptosis, intestinal flora, and other related factors. Furthermore, we intend to discuss potential strategies involving cuproptosis and provide new insights for copper-related vascular aging.

Association between dietary copper and cardiovascular disease: A narrative review

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Several studies have investigated the relationship between trace element status, including copper status, and CVDs in population studies; however, there are controversies about the role of dietary copper and CVD. We aimed to review the association between dietary copper intake with CVD and this association's related factors by reviewing both animal models and human studies. Some animal model studies have reported a strong relationship between dietary copper intake and atherogenesis based on the possible molecular pathways, whilst other studies have not confirmed this relationship. Human studies have not revealed a relationship between CVDs and dietary copper intake, but there is uncertainty about the optimal amount of dietary copper intake in relation reducing the risk of CVDs. These associations may be influenced by ethnicity, gender, underlying co-morbidities and the methods used for its measurement.

Copper homeostasis and cuproptosis in cardiovascular disease therapeutics

Copper (Cu) homeostasis is gaining increasing attention in human health as both Cu overload and deficiency evokes pathological changes including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Cu supplementation, nanocarriers, and chelators have all exhibited therapeutic promise in some human diseases, although how Cu dyshomeostasis and cuproptosis, a novel form of regulated cell death, contribute to CVD pathology remains elusive. Here, we discuss Cu dyshomeostasis and the potential role of cuproptosis in various CVDs. We evaluate underlying cellular mechanisms, aiming to provide some insights regarding the utility of targeting Cu dyshomeostasis and cuproptosis as a novel strategy in the management of CVDs.

Copper homeostasis and copper-induced cell death in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and therapeutic strategies

Copper is a vital mineral, and an optimal amount of copper is required to support normal physiologic processes in various systems, including the cardiovascular system. Over the past few decades, copper-induced cell death, named cuproptosis, has become increasingly recognized as an important process mediating the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including atherosclerosis, stroke, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and heart failure. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of cuproptosis in CVD may be useful for improving CVD management. Here, we review the relationship between copper homeostasis and cuproptosis-related pathways in CVD, as well as therapeutic strategies addressing copper-induced cell death in CVD.

Copper promotes cardiac functional recovery via suppressing the transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts in ischemia-infarcted monkey hearts

Myocardial ischemia leads to cardiac fibrosis along with copper (Cu) loss. Cu repletion diminishes myocardial fibrosis and improves cardiac function. The transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts is highly responsible for the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that Cu inhibition of cardiac fibrosis results from suppression of myofibroblasts. Rhesus monkeys 4-5 years old were subjected to coronary artery ligation to induce myocardial infarction (MI). At the end of the fourth week after the surgery, an ultrasound-directed Cu-albumin microbubble organ-specific Cu delivery technique was used to treat the ischemia-infarcted monkey hearts twice a week for 4 weeks. This treatment increased Cu concentrations in the infarct area, loosened the collagen cross-linking network, restored blood vessel density, and improved cardiac contractility. Total fibroblasts labeled with vimentin were increased in the infarct area, and Cu repletion did not alter this increase. Myofibroblasts, dually labeled with vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), were also significantly increased in the infarct area but were significantly reduced by Cu repletion. Correspondingly, the products of myofibroblasts, type I and III collagens and inhibitors of collagenases were significantly reduced. In contrast, metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and MMP-1 producing fibroblasts (vimentin⁺ and MMP-1⁺ cells) were significantly increased. These results suggest that Cu inhibits the transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, leading to a pro-fibrinolytic switch and an improvement in cardiac function.

Serum copper concentration reflect inflammatory activation in the complex coronary artery disease - A pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Coronary artery disease possess inflammatory background related to enzymatic processes with trace elements involvements as co-factors. The aim of the study was to compare serum, urine and salivary copper, magnesium, calcium and zinc levels with inflammatory indices obtained from the whole blood count in patients with complex coronary artery disease.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Fifty-two (42(81 %) males, 10 (19 %) females) consecutive patients (mean (SD) age 68 (9) years with symptomatic complex coronary artery disease were enrolled into prospective single center study in 2021. Serum, saliva and urine samples were collected at the day of admission for trace elements concentration (copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium) and compared with inflammatory indexes obtained from preoperative and perioperative period.

RESULTS

Multivariable regression analysis revealed relation between the copper serum concentration and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic inflammatory index (SII).

CONCLUSION

Serum copper concentration interplay with preoperative inflammatory activation in complex coronary disease measured by NLR and SII. The copper serum concentration possesses the strongest relation to preoperative inflammatory activation in patients reffered for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.