Plasma copper and bone mineral density in osteopenia: an indicator of bone mineral density in osteopenic females

The Association between Serum Copper and Bone Mineral Density among Adolescents Aged 12 to 19 in the United States

Bone mineral density (BMD) is a key parameter widely used in the assessment of bone health. Although many investigations have explored the relationship between trace elements and BMD, there are fewer studies focused on serum copper and BMD, especially for adolescents. Using data extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we applied a multiple-linear regression and smooth curve fitting to assess the relationship between serum copper and BMD. A total of 910 participants were finally included in this study. After adjusting for relevant covariates, serum copper was negatively associated with lumbar spine BMD (β = -0.057, 95% CI: -0.109 to -0.005), trunk bone BMD (β = -0.068, 95% CI: -0.110 to -0.026), pelvis BMD (β = -0.085, 95% CI: -0.145 to -0.024), subtotal BMD (β = -0.072, 95% CI: -0.111 to -0.033), and total BMD (β = -0.051, 95% CI: -0.087 to -0.016) (p < 0.05). In quartile analysis, the highest level of serum copper was associated with decreased BMD when compared with those at the lowest quartile (p < 0.05). The stratified analysis revealed a significant interaction between age and the effects of serum copper on trunk bone BMD (p = 0.022) and pelvis BMD (p = 0.018). Meanwhile, the higher level of serum copper was negatively associated with BMD in males, and gender modified the relationship (p < 0.001). Future longitudinal studies will be necessary for a more definitive interpretation of our results.

Iron, Zinc, Copper, Cadmium, Mercury, and Bone Tissue

The paper presents the current understanding on the effects of five metals on bone tissue, namely iron, zinc, copper, cadmium, and mercury. Iron, zinc, and copper contribute significantly to human and animal metabolism when present in sufficient amounts, but their excess or shortage increases the risk of developing bone disorders. In contrast, cadmium and mercury serve no physiological purpose and their long-term accumulation damages the osteoarticular system. We discuss the methods of action and interactions between the discussed elements as well as the concentrations of each element in distinct bone structures.

Relationship between Selected Micronutrient Concentrations, Total Antioxidant Status, Pain Severity, and the Image of 1H MR Spectroscopy in Degenerative Spine Disease: A Case-Control Study

Osteoarthritis of the spine is a common disease and constitutes a significant problem in highly developed countries. Due to the aging of the population, the number of patients with advanced degenerative changes continues to grow. Trace elements and antioxidant status may play an active role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis of the spine. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between total antioxidant status (TAS), the concentration of selected elements (Zn, Cu, Se, Mn) in the serum, nutritional and environmental factors, the severity of pain, and images of degenerative changes in the spine demonstrated in proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H MRS). The study included 90 patients with degenerative spine disease and 40 healthy people. Serum Zn, Cu, Se, and Mn concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The Cu/Zn molar ratio was calculated. TAS was determined spectrophotometrically using a ready-made Randox kit. The severity of spine pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale VAS. In the ¹H MRS study, the fat/water ratio was determined in L1 and L5 vertebral bodies and in the L4/5 intervertebral disc. In patients with osteoarthritis of the spine, there was a reduced concentration of Zn and Cu in the serum (0.77 ± 0.22 mg/L, 1.1 ± 0.35 mg/L) compared to the control group (0.83 ± 0.13 mg/L, 1.25 ± 0.41 mg/L, respectively). In the study group, we also observed a significantly lower Cu concentration in smokers (1.07 ± 0.35 mg/L) compared to non-smokers (1.17 ± 0.34 mg/L). A relationship between the female sex and a decreased concentration of TAS in the serum, both in people with degenerative spine disease and in healthy people, has been demonstrated. In patients with serum TAS levels below the reference values, the fat/water ratio was higher in the L5 spine shaft, while in those with elevated Mn levels, the value was higher in the L4/L5 intervertebral disc, which indicates a greater degree of degeneration in both cases. Patients with normal serum Cu concentration experienced lower pain intensity assessed in the VAS scale. The study showed some abnormalities in serum trace element levels and TAS in patients with osteoarthritis of the spine.

Manganese, iron, copper, and selenium co-exposure and osteoporosis risk in Chinese adults

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Previous experimental studies demonstrated that either deficient or excessive trace elements, such as manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se), are detrimental to bone health. Epidemiologic evidence for the effect of the four trace elements on osteoporosis (OP) risk remains inadequate. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine their associations with the OP risk among Chinese adults.

METHODS

Concentrations of Mn, Fe, Cu, and Se were measured in plasma using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer among 627 Chinese adults aged ≥ 50 years. Individual effect of the four elements on OP risk was analyzed by logistic regression and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) models. The latter model was also adopted to examine the exposure-response relationships and joint effects of the four elements on OP risk.

RESULTS

The median Mn, Fe, Cu, and Se levels were 4.78, 1026.63, 904.55, and 105.39 μg/L, respectively, in all participants. Inverse associations of Fe and Se levels with OP risk were observed in the logistic regression model. BKMR analysis revealed a U-shape pattern for the Fe-OP association, and a reduced OP risk in response to co-exposure of the four elements above the 50th percentiles but an elevated one in response to that below the 50th percentiles. Sex discrepancy existed in the findings. No interactions were found for the four elements affecting OP risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Co-exposure to Mn, Fe, Cu, and Se was associated with improved bone density, where Fe contributed most to the beneficial effect. Further studies are needed to verify these findings and explore the underlying biological mechanism.

Associations of Copper Intake with Bone Mineral Density and Osteoporosis in Adults: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Some studies have suggested an association between serum copper and bone density. Few studies have explored the association between copper intake and osteoporosis and bone mineral density (BMD). Our research aims to assess the associations of copper intake with the risk of osteoporosis in United States adults using the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES). A total of 8224 individuals were included in our study. Osteoporosis was defined that BMD values surpass 2.5 standard deviations (SD) below the mean of the young adult reference group. Copper intake from diets and supplements was estimated by using two 24-h recall surveys. After adjustment for all the covariates of interest, the odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence interval (CI)) between the risk of osteoporosis and total copper intake across quartiles 3 and 4 compared with quartile 1 were 0.48 (0.31-0.74) (P < 0.01) and 0.41 (0.26-0.65) (P < 0.01), respectively. The mean total femur BMD and total spine BMD of the highest dietary copper intake quartile (Cu 1.51 mg/d) was 0.03 g/cm² and 0.02 g/cm² greater than the lowest quartile. Our results indicate that dietary and total copper intake was positively associated with increasing BMD in US adults and negatively associated with the risk of osteoporosis in US adults.

Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Dietary Supplementation to Prevent Bone Mineral Density Loss: A Food Pyramid

Bone is a nutritionally modulated tissue. Given this background, aim of this review is to evaluate the latest data regarding ideal dietary approach in order to reduce bone mineral density loss and to construct a food pyramid that allows osteopenia/osteoporosis patients to easily figure out what to eat. The pyramid shows that carbohydrates should be consumed every day (3 portions of whole grains), together with fruits and vegetables (5 portions; orange-colored fruits and vegetables and green leafy vegetables are to be preferred), light yogurt (125 mL), skim milk (200 mL,) extra virgin olive oil (almost 20 mg/day), and calcium water (almost 1 l/day); weekly portions should include fish (4 portions), white meat (3 portions), legumes (2 portions), eggs (2 portions), cheeses (2 portions), and red or processed meats (once/week). At the top of the pyramid, there are two pennants: one green means that osteopenia/osteoporosis subjects need some personalized supplementation (if daily requirements cannot be satisfied through diet, calcium, vitamin D, boron, omega 3, and isoflavones supplementation could be an effective strategy with a great benefit/cost ratio), and one red means that there are some foods that are banned (salt, sugar, inorganic phosphate additives). Finally, three to four times per week of 30-40 min of aerobic and resistance exercises must be performed.

Bone Health in Aging Men: Does Zinc and Cuprum Level Matter?

The aim of this study was to assess the associations of serum and bone zinc (Zn) and cuprum (Cu) with bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC), markers of bone turnover, and sex hormones. The study group comprised 144 men treated with total hip replacement due to hip osteoarthritis. We measured total, free, and bioavailable testosterone, estradiol, and sex-hormone-binding globulin (sex hormones), as well as parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin, carboxy terminal collagen crosslinks, and N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (markers of bone turnover). Total body BMD, BMC, total and visceral fat, and appendicular skeletal mass (ASM) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. ASM index, and total and visceral fat were positively correlated with BMD. Bone Zn correlated neither with sex hormones nor with bone turnover markers; however, it was positively associated both with BMD and with BMC, while bone Cu (as opposed to serum Cu) was not. In multiple regression, the ASM index, Zn/Cu ratio (in both the serum and the bone), and serum Cu concentration were significantly associated with BMD and BMC after adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI). Our results suggest that the Zn/Cu ratio in both the serum and the bone may exert a significant positive effect on total BMD and BMC.

Comprehensive Survey on Nanobiomaterials for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

One of the most important ideas ever produced by the application of materials science to the medical field is the notion of biomaterials. The nanostructured biomaterials play a crucial role in the development of new treatment strategies including not only the replacement of tissues and organs, but also repair and regeneration. They are designed to interact with damaged or injured tissues to induce regeneration, or as a forest for the production of laboratory tissues, so they must be micro-environmentally sensitive. The existing materials have many limitations, including impaired cell attachment, proliferation, and toxicity. Nanotechnology may open new avenues to bone tissue engineering by forming new assemblies similar in size and shape to the existing hierarchical bone structure. Organic and inorganic nanobiomaterials are increasingly used for bone tissue engineering applications because they may allow to overcome some of the current restrictions entailed by bone regeneration methods. This review covers the applications of different organic and inorganic nanobiomaterials in the field of hard tissue engineering.

Serum copper levels are associated with bone mineral density and total fracture

Background

Both copper deficiency and overexposure have been associated with adverse health effects. Evidence linking copper to bone mineral density (BMD) and total fracture, however, is limited.

Methods

This nationally representative cross-sectional study enrolled participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011–2014) in the United States. Using unadjusted and multivariate adjusted logistic regression analyses and a two-piecewise linear regression model with a smoothing function, we evaluated the associations between serum copper levels, bone mineral density and total fracture in 722 participants.

Results

The study sample (n = 722, mean age: 56.47 ± 11.55 y) represented a population of which 47.2% were men; 43.91% were non-Hispanic white, 18.84% non-Hispanic black and 13.71% Mexican American; 25.9% had total fracture. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, individuals in the lowest category (<98.5 μg/dL) of serum copper concentration had 0.049 g/cm² lower total femur BMD and 0.045 g/cm² lower femoral neck BMD than those in the second concentration category (98.5–114 μg/dL). Individuals in the highest category (≥134 μg/dL) of serum copper concentration had an approximately 4-fold increase in the risk of total fracture than those in the second concentration category. There were no significant associations between per 10 μg/dL increases in serum copper levels and total fracture in multivariate logistic regression analysis after multivariate adjustment (all p > 0.05). However, a differential association between serum copper levels and total fractures between men and women was observed (odds ratio = 1.81, 95% confidence interval 1.08–3.03, p = 0.026 for men and odds ratio = 1.07, 95% confidence interval 0.86–1.32, p = 0.552 for women).

Conclusion

Moderate serum copper levels are critically important for bone health. Lower serum copper levels are significantly associated with decreased BMD in the total femur and femoral neck. Higher serum copper levels are significantly associated with increased total fracture, especially in men.

The Translational Potential of this Article

The impact of serum copper concentrations on bone mineral density and total fracture can provide insights into clinical application of copper-containing supplements and biomaterials.

Evaluation of plasma trace element and mineral status in children and adolescents with phenylketonuria using data from inductively-coupled-plasma atomic emission and mass spectrometric analysis

BACKGROUND

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is caused by a severe phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency; the mainstay of treatment is a low-phenylalanine diet. A diet which is so restrictive is associated with a risk of nutritional deficiencies. We investigated plasma concentrations for 46 elements, including minerals and trace elements.

METHODS

We enrolled 20 children and adolescents with PKU and 20 matched controls. Multi-elementary quantification was carried out by solution-based inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and ICP mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

RESULTS

With the exception of manganese and aluminium, no significant differences were found for element levels between PKU patients and controls. As a trend, manganese levels were lower in PKU patients than in control subjects (p < 0.05) but were within the reference range. There was a positive linear relationship between manganese and tyrosine levels in subjects with PKU (r(2) = 0.2295, p < 0.05). If detectable, potentially toxic elements were only identified in ultra-trace quantities in plasma samples of either group; aluminium levels were found to be slightly higher in PKU subjects than in controls (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The combination of ICP-AES and ICP-MS data is a useful diagnostic tool for element quantification at a high analytical rate and for monitoring bio-element status, e.g. in patients on a restrictive diet.

High serum Cu and Cu/Zn ratios correlate with impairments in bone density, physical performance and overall health in a population of elderly men with frailty characteristics

Serum Cu levels rise with age and high Cu/Zn ratios are linked with multiple-cause mortality in the elderly. The relationships of these parameters to measures of musculoskeletal health and frailty have not yet been analyzed. We used inductively coupled mass spectrometry to assess serum levels of Cu and Zn and probed for relationships between serum Cu levels and the Cu/Zn ratio with specific measures of bone, physical and overall health in a cohort of 144 frail elderly men. Subjects were divided into quintiles based on serum metal levels and comparisons for functional measures were made between the reference (middle) group and the low and high groups. Subjects' serum metal values were normally distributed. We found significant correlations between high Cu/Zn ratios and deficits in femoral bone mineral density, measures of speed and strength, muscle mass and hematocrit. High Cu/Zn ratios were also correlated with decreased triglycerides and increased reliance on ADL assistance. This study identifies specific deficits associated with high Cu/Zn ratios that span multiple organ systems and supports earlier studies indicating that serum Cu levels and the Cu/Zn ratio may serve as useful predictive biomarkers for poor health in the elderly.

Concentrations of trace elements in bones of the hip joint from patients after hip replacement surgery

The aim of this research was to determine the concentrations of two essential elements (copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn)) and three toxic elements (lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg)) in the hip joint bones of patients from the Chair and Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. We examined 111 samples of hip joint bones obtained from patients from north-western Poland who had undergone arthroplasty of the femoral head. In cartilage with the adjacent compact bone, and in spongy bone from the examined patients, the concentrations (medians) determined were placed in the following descending sequence Zn>Pb>Cu>Cd>Hg. The concentrations ranged from 86 mg Zn/kg to 0.0020 mg Hg/kg dw. It was found that the concentration of lead in the cartilage with adjacent compact bone was higher in men than in women. In conclusion, it seems that in addition to routine monitoring of the abiotic environment, it is essential to monitor concentrations of heavy metals having a long-term impact in humans.

Is the Western diet adequate in copper?

Copper has been known to be essential for health for more than three quarters of a century. Myriad experiments with animals reveal that the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and nervous systems are most sensitive to deficiency. Copper in the Western diet has been decreasing at least since the 1930s; half of the adult population consumes less than the amount recommended in the European Communities and the United Kingdom. At least one fourth of adults consume less than the estimated average requirement published for the United States and Canada. Hundreds of people have been reported in journals about medicine and neurology rather than nutrition to have impaired copper nutriture based on the criteria of low copper concentrations and low activities of enzymes dependent on copper in various fluids and tissues. In contrast, only 46 people have participated in depletion/repletion experiments needed to define requirements. Almost 1000 people have benefited from supplements containing copper in controlled trials. People deficient in copper are being identified increasingly; it is unknown if unusually high requirements or unusually low diets are causal. Alzheimer's disease, ischemic heart disease and osteoporosis are the most likely human illnesses from low copper intakes.

Reported zinc, but not copper, intakes influence whole-body bone density, mineral content and T score responses to zinc and copper supplementation in healthy postmenopausal women

A supplementation trial starting with 224 postmenopausal women provided with adequate vitamin D and Ca was conducted to determine whether increased Cu and Zn intakes would reduce the risk for bone loss. Healthy women aged 51–80 years were recruited for a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Women with similar femoral neck T scores and BMI were randomly assigned to two groups of 112 each that were supplemented daily for 2 years with 600 mg Ca plus maize starch placebo or 600 mg Ca plus 2 mg Cu and 12 mg Zn. Whole-body bone mineral contents, densities and T scores were determined biannually by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and 5 d food diaries were obtained annually. Repeated-measures ANCOVA showed that bone mineral contents, densities and T scores decreased from baseline values to year 2. A priori contrasts between baseline and year 2 indicated that the greatest decreases occurred with Cu and Zn supplementation. Based on 5 d food diaries, the negative effect was caused by Zn and mainly occurred with Zn intakes ≥ 8·0 mg/d. With Zn intakes < 8·0 mg/d, Zn supplementation apparently prevented a significant decrease in whole-body bone densities and T scores. Food diaries also indicated that Mg intakes < 237 mg/d, Cu intakes < 0·9 mg/d and Zn intakes < 8·0 mg/d are associated with poorer bone health. The findings indicate that Zn supplementation may be beneficial to bone health in postmenopausal women with usual Zn intakes < 8·0 mg/d but not in women consuming adequate amounts of Zn.