Ceruloplasmin - acute-phase reactant or endogenous antioxidant? The case of cardiovascular disease.

Ceruloplasmin is a plasma protein that functions as a copper transporter. Epidemiological studies have indicated an association between the concentration of this protein and risk for cardiovascular disease. The mechanism for the involvement of ceruloplasmin in cardiovascular disease and other conditions is not yet clear, although it is widely accepted that the role played by ceruloplasmin in facilitating or counteracting oxidative stress is central. We review here some of the studies on this issue and try to calm down the duel between the claims supporting the oxidant or the antioxidant effects of ceruloplasmin through a clear-cut analysis of the available data. Our conclusion is that a verdict regarding the pathogenetic involvement of ceruloplasmin in cardiovascular disease should await further research.