Effects of dietary copper on human autonomic cardiovascular function

Abstract

Heart rate and blood pressure responses during supine rest, orthostasis, and sustained handgrip exercise at 30% maximal voluntary contraction were determined in eight healthy women aged 18–36 years who consumed diets varying in copper and ascorbic acid content. Copper retention and plasma copper concentration were not affected by diet. Enzymatic, but not immunoreactive, ceruloplasmin was lower (ppp<0.0004) correlated with the ceruloplasmin ratios. These findings indicate a functional alteration in human blood pressure regulation during mild copper depletion.