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No effect of copper supplementation on biochemical markers of bone metabolism in healthy young adult females despite apparently improved copper status

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 55, pages 525–531 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of increasing Cu intakes, above the usual dietary intake, on biomarkers of bone metabolism in healthy young adult females (aged 21–28 y) over a 4 week period.

Design: A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised repeat crossover Cu supplementation trial.

Setting: The study was conducted at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (RVAU), Copenhagen, Denmark.

Subjects: Sixteen healthy young adult females aged 20–28 y were recruited from among students at the RVAU.

Intervention: During the 4 week intervention periods in this randomised, crossover trial (3×4 weeks with a minimum 3 week wash-out period), each subject received, in addition to their usual diet, either 3 or 6 mg elemental Cu/day as CuSO4 or a matching placebo. On the last 3 days of each dietary period 24 h urines were collected. In addition, blood was collected on the last day of each dietary period.

Results: Serum Cu and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (but not caeruloplasmin protein concentration or activity (putative indices of Cu status)) were significantly increased (P<0.05) after daily Cu supplementation with 3 and 6 mg/day for 4 weeks. Serum osteocalcin (biomarker of bone formation), urinary creatinine (Cr) concentration, urinary pyridinoline (Pyr)/Cr or deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr)/Cr excretion, or daily urinary Pyr or Dpyr excretion (biomarkers of bone resorption) were unaffected by Cu supplementation.

Conclusion: Copper supplementation of the usual diet in healthy young adult females, while apparently improving Cu status, had no effect on biochemical markers of bone formation or bone resorption over 4 week periods.

Sponsorship: Funding from the European Commission.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2001) 55, 525–531

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Acknowledgements

This research has been funded by grant aid from the European Commission (grant CT95-0813 FOODCUE). The copper supplements were supplied by Thomson & Joseph Ltd, Norwich, Norfolk, UK.

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Author notes

  1. KD Cashman: Guarantor: KD Cashman.

  2. KD Cashman, A Baker, F Ginty, A Flynn, JJ Strain, MP Bonham, JM O'Connor, S Bügel and B Sandström: Contributors: KDC contributed to design, analysis and writing of the study. AB contributed to analysis and writing of the study. FG contributed to analysis. AF contributed to design of the study. JJS contributed to design of the study. MPB and JMO'C contributed to analysis. SB contributed to design, execution, analysis, and writing of the study. BS contributed to design, execution and writing of the study.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, University College, Cork, Ireland

    KD Cashman, A Baker, F Ginty & A Flynn

  2. Northern Ireland Centre for Diet and Health (NICHE), University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland

    JJ Strain, MP Bonham & JM O'Connor

  3. Research Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    S Bügel & B Sandström

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  1. KD Cashman
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  2. A Baker
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  4. A Flynn
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Correspondence to KD Cashman.

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Cashman, K., Baker, A., Ginty, F. et al. No effect of copper supplementation on biochemical markers of bone metabolism in healthy young adult females despite apparently improved copper status. Eur J Clin Nutr 55, 525–531 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601177

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601177

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