...It’s been suggested that an imbalance of DNA damage and repair produces a buildup of unrepaired genetic damage that can initiate neurodegenerative pathology,” ... we have found multiple toxic mechanisms linking elevated iron and copper levels in the brain and extensive DNA damage — pathological features associated with most neurodegenerative disorders.”

Humans ordinarily have small amounts of iron and copper in their bodies ... some people’s tissues contain much larger quantities of iron or copper, which overwhelm the proteins that normally bind the metals and sequester them for safe storage. The result: so-called “free” iron or copper ions, circulating in the blood and able to initiate chemical reactions that produce reactive oxygen species.

“Reactive oxygen species cause the majority of the brain cell DNA damage that we see in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease...

Normally, special DNA repair enzymes would quickly mend the injury, restoring the genome’s integrity. But experiments conducted by Hegde and his colleagues showed that iron and copper significantly interfere with the activity of two DNA repair enzymes, known as NEIL1 and NEIL2.

“Our results show that by inhibiting NEIL1 and NEIL2, iron and copper play an important role in the accumulation of DNA damage in neurodegenerative diseases,” Hegde said.

The researchers got a surprise when they tested substances that bond to iron and copper and could protect NEIL1 from the metals. One of the strongest protective agents was the common South Asian spice curcumin, which also has been shown to have other beneficial health effects.

“The results from curcumin were quite beautiful, actually,” Hegde said. “It was very effective in maintaining NEIL activity in cells exposed to both copper and iron.”

http://neurosciencenews.com/high-iro...ll-dna-repair/