Copper deficiency depresses rat aortae superoxide dismutase activity and prostacyclin synthesis.

Prostaglandin synthesis shows dependence on lipid hydroperoxides and resultant oxygen derived radical formation. In view of the importance of dietary copper in cytosolic copper dependent superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) activity and the role of SOD in oxygen radical formation, the influence of dietary copper on prostacylin (PGI2) synthesis and SOD activity in rat aorta was examined. Copper deficient (0.5 micrograms Cu/g diet) rats showed a significant 47% reduction in PGI2 synthesis rates by aortic ring incubations in comparison to copper adequate (6.0 micrograms Cu/g diet) animals. Aortic SOD activity was reduced by 46% in copper deficiency in comparison to copper adequate animals. Marginal dietary copper (1.6 micrograms Cu/g diet) significantly reduced aortic SOD activity by 32% but was without effect on aortic ring incubation PGI2 synthesis. These results indicate that dietary copper deficiency, and the resultant decrease in SOD activity, depresses aortic PGI2 synthesis.