Abstract
High serum copper/ zinc ratio (CZR) has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in elderly Western population. However, these associations have not been extensively studied in elderly population of Asian origin. Associations with traditional and non-traditional risk factors for CVD were examined in 202 community-living elderly Japanese women. After adjustment for age, associations with handgrip strength, log high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and TNF-αremained significant and association with leukocyte count became significant. In multiple regression analysis, log hsCRP and handgrip strength emerged as independent determinants of CZR (R2=0.172). In conclusions, high CZR was independently associated with higher hsCRP and lower handgrip strength in freely- and community-living elderly Japanese women. Systemic low-grade inflammation and lower total body muscle strengthen may contribute to elevated serum copper/zinc ratio in the elderly, and may represent important confounders of the relationship between the ratio and mortality in this population
