Elevated labile Cu is associated with oxidative pathology in Alzheimer disease

Oxidative stress is implicated in Alzheimer disease (AD) pathogenesis, for which evidence indicates that radical species are generated by the redox-active biometal Cu. The contribution of labile Cu to the oxidative stress observed in AD has not been evaluated. The Cu content of postmortem cortical tissue from nondemented elderly controls and AD cases was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, and the proportion of labile Cu was assessed using the Cu–phenanthroline assay. Further, the capacity of the tissue to stabilize Cu 2+ was evaluated using immobilized metal-affinity chromatography, and the level of tissue oxidative damage was determined by the presence of thiobarbituric acid-reactive compounds. We identified elevated levels of exchangeable Cu 2+, which were correlated with tissue oxidative damage; additionally, we noted an increased capacity of AD cortical tissue samples to bind Cu 2+. This deranged Cu homeostasis reflects the homeostatic breakdown of Cu observed in AD and supports biometal metabolism as a therapeutic target. [Display omitted] ► Cu metabolism is deranged in the cortex in Alzheimer's disease (AD). ► Alzheimer affected cortex contains an increased fraction of exchangeable copper ions. ► Alzheimer cortex has an increased capacity to coordinate Cu in the reactive cupric state. ► The increased exchangeable Cu in AD cortex is associated with increased oxidation.