title: Adaptive responses in men fed low- and high-copper diets.
abstract: The study of Cu metabolism is hampered by a lack of sensitive and specific biomarkers of status and suitable isotopic labels, but limited information suggests that Cu homeostasis is maintained through changes in absorption and endogenous loss. The aim of the present study was to employ stable-isotope techniques to measure Cu absorption and endogenous losses in adult men adapted to low, moderate and high Cu-supplemented diets. Twelve healthy men, aged 20-59 years, were given diets containing 0.7, 1.6 and 6.0 mg Cu/d for 8 weeks, with at least 4 weeks intervening washout periods. After 6 weeks adaptation, apparent and true absorption of Cu were determined by measuring luminal loss and endogenous excretion of Cu following oral administration of 3 mg highly enriched (65)Cu stable-isotope label. Apparent and true absorption (41 and 48 % respectively) on the low-Cu diet were not significantly different from the high-Cu diet (45 and 48 % respectively). Endogenous losses were significantly reduced on the low- (0.45 mg/d; P<0.001) and medium- (0.81 mg/d; P=0.001) compared with the high-Cu diet (2.46 mg/d). No biochemical changes resulting from the dietary intervention were observed. Cu homeostasis was maintained over a wide range of intake and more rapidly at the lower intake, mainly through changes in endogenous excretion.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Consumer Science Division, Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UA, UK.
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: Gosia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Majsak-Newman
authors.forename: Jack R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Dainty
authors.forename: D John
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Nicola J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Langford
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Crews
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Fairweather-Tait
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003301:Copper Radioisotopes; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D003301:Copper Radioisotopes; D005632:Fructose; D003300:Copper