Human Biomarkers for Assessing Copper Deficiency
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 65 |
| Updated: | 4/20/2017 |
| Start Date: | November 2010 |
| End Date: | December 2018 |
| Contact: | Nana Gletsu Miller, PhD |
| Email: | ngletsum@purdue.edu |
| Phone: | 765-496-9462 |
Human Biomarkers for Assessing Copper Deficiency and Repletion: A Pilot Study
Copper is an essential nutrient for humans and is cofactor in enzymes that participate in
critical body functions. Insufficient copper can lead to hematological and neurological
abnormalities that may be irreversible if left untreated. Copper deficiency is believed to
be rare in the U.S. population because typical dietary intake is usually sufficient to meet
requirements. More recent evidence suggests that specific populations may be susceptible to
copper deficiency in cases where copper absorption in the gut is impaired following gastric
surgery or in individuals with high intakes of zinc. Preliminary studies by us and others
have identified significant levels of moderate and severe symptomatic copper deficiency in
patients who have undergone weight loss (bariatric) gastric bypass surgery. Copper
deficiency in humans is difficult to recognize and treat because current diagnostic tools
rely on measures of plasma concentrations of copper and ceruloplasmin, which are neither
sensitive nor specific for copper deficiency, and early warning blood markers (biomarkers)
have not been identified. Recent developments indicate that copper chaperone molecules and
cuproenzymes such as cytochrome C oxidase and superoxide dismutase may be more sensitive to
changes in copper status, but there has been very little work done in humans. The studies
outlined here are aimed at assessing copper status using these biomarkers in gastric bypass
surgery patients who are at risk for symptomatic copper deficiency. In addition, patients
identified to be deficient will be supplemented with copper and this treatment will be
evaluated using biomarker concentrations. The findings of these studies should provide
insight into the effectiveness of novel biomarkers to identify those at risk and to guide
appropriate treatment to prevent serious and permanent morbidity due to copper deficiency.
critical body functions. Insufficient copper can lead to hematological and neurological
abnormalities that may be irreversible if left untreated. Copper deficiency is believed to
be rare in the U.S. population because typical dietary intake is usually sufficient to meet
requirements. More recent evidence suggests that specific populations may be susceptible to
copper deficiency in cases where copper absorption in the gut is impaired following gastric
surgery or in individuals with high intakes of zinc. Preliminary studies by us and others
have identified significant levels of moderate and severe symptomatic copper deficiency in
patients who have undergone weight loss (bariatric) gastric bypass surgery. Copper
deficiency in humans is difficult to recognize and treat because current diagnostic tools
rely on measures of plasma concentrations of copper and ceruloplasmin, which are neither
sensitive nor specific for copper deficiency, and early warning blood markers (biomarkers)
have not been identified. Recent developments indicate that copper chaperone molecules and
cuproenzymes such as cytochrome C oxidase and superoxide dismutase may be more sensitive to
changes in copper status, but there has been very little work done in humans. The studies
outlined here are aimed at assessing copper status using these biomarkers in gastric bypass
surgery patients who are at risk for symptomatic copper deficiency. In addition, patients
identified to be deficient will be supplemented with copper and this treatment will be
evaluated using biomarker concentrations. The findings of these studies should provide
insight into the effectiveness of novel biomarkers to identify those at risk and to guide
appropriate treatment to prevent serious and permanent morbidity due to copper deficiency.
CuD subjects In order to be enrolled into the CuD Arm, subjects who have had RYGB surgery
will be recruited and screened for eligibility (inclusion and exclusion criteria below).
Subjects whose plasma copper concentrations are in the deficient range (less than 80 μg/dL
for women and less than 70 µg/dL for men, and/or ceruloplasmin activity below 62
units/L-1) following 4 weeks of supplementation with the RDA for copper will be eligible.
Such supplementation is the routine standard of care with all patients undergoing RYGB
surgery. This process aims to exclude patients who were only marginally copper deficient
and not in need of sustained copper therapy. Subjects will be notified about their copper
status by a study physician. They will be contacted by the study team, and their
willingness to participate in the study will be determined.
Inclusion criteria: 1) Patient has a history of RYGB weight loss surgery; 2) subject has a
plasma copper level which is less than 80 μg/dL for women andl less than 70 µg/dL for men,
and/or ceruloplasmin activity below 62 units/L-1; 3) subject is at least 18 but not more
than 65 years of age; and 4) subject has signed an informed consent.
Exclusion criteria: 1) subject exhibits severe neurologic signs or symptoms (e.g. severe
paresthesias, severe gait disturbances, or severe weakness which require intravenous
copper supplementation; 2) subject is pregnant; 3) subject has history of surgical
revision or conversion of bariatric procedure; 4) subject has a history of hospitalization
for acute illness in the previous 3 months; 5) subject has current active malignant
neoplasm; or history of malignancy other than localized basal cell cancer of skin during
previous 5 years; 6) subject has current history of type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
CuN subjects In order to be enrolled into the CuN control arm, subjects who have had RYGB
surgery will be recruited and screened for eligibility (inclusion and exclusion criteria
below). Subjects will have plasma copper concentrations in the normal range (80 - 155
μg/dL for women and 70 - 140 µg/dL for men, and/or ceruloplasmin activity above 62
units/L-1). Subjects will also be eligible if they can be matched for stage of weight
management (either active weight loss or weight stable) and gender with a CuD subject.
Subjects will be notified about their copper status and their eligibility and their
willingness to participate in the study will be determined.
Inclusion criteria: 1) Patient has a history of RYGB weight loss surgery; 2) subject has a
plasma copper level which is 80 - 155 μg/dL for women and 70 - 140 µg/dL for men, and/or
ceruloplasmin activity above 62 units/L-1; 3) subject can be matched for stage of weight
management and gender with a CuD subject, 4) subject is at least 18 but not more than 65
years of age; and 5) subject has signed an informed consent.
Exclusion criteria: 1) subject is pregnant; 2) subject has history of surgical revision or
conversion of bariatric procedure; 3) subject has a history of hospitalization for acute
illness in the previous 3 months; 4) subject has current active malignant neoplasm; or
history of malignancy other than localized basal cell cancer of skin during previous 5
years; 5) subject has current history type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
NW Control Arm For the normal-weight control arm (NW Control), subjects who have not had
bariatric surgery and are of normal weight will be recruited.
Inclusion criteria: 1) Subject has a plasma copper level which is 80 - 155 μg/dL for women
and 70 - 140 µg/dL for men, and/or ceruloplasmin activity above 62 units/L-1; 2) subject
is of normal weight, BMI between 20 - 30 kg/m2, 3) subject is at least 18 but not more
than 65 years of age; and 4) subject has signed an informed consent.
Exclusion criteria: 1) subject is pregnant; 2) subject has history of abdominal surgery or
history of gastrointestinal disease; 3) subject has a history of hospitalization for acute
illness in the previous 3 months; 4) subject has current active malignant neoplasm; or
history of malignancy other than localized basal cell cancer of skin during previous 5
years; 5) subject has current history type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
We found this trial at
1
site
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907
Principal Investigator: Nana Gletsu Miller, PhD
Phone: 765-496-9462
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