title: Zinc supplementation does not alter sensitive biomarkers of copper status in healthy boys.
abstract: The tolerable upper intake levels (UL) for zinc for children were based on limited data and there is concern that the UL may be set too low. The first effect of excessive zinc intake is a reduction in copper status. The primary objective of this study was to examine the effect of zinc supplementation on copper status in children. Healthy, 6- to 8-y-old boys from Ontario, Canada were assigned to take a placebo (n = 10) or 5 mg (n = 10), 10 mg (n = 9), or 15 mg (n = 8) of zinc supplement daily for 4 mo in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Biochemical measures were evaluated at baseline and after 2 and 4 mo of supplementation. Food records were completed near the baseline and 4-mo visits. Age and anthropometric measurements did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatment groups at baseline. Mean zinc intakes from food alone (10.9-14.8 mg zinc/d) approached or exceeded the UL of 12 mg/d. Compared with the placebo group, the zinc groups had a greater change in the urine zinc:creatinine ratio at 4 mo (P = 0.02). Traditional (plasma copper and ceruloplasmin activity) and more sensitive biomarkers of copper status, including erythrocyte SOD1 activity and the erythrocyte CCS:SOD1 protein ratio, were unchanged in zinc-supplemented boys, demonstrating that copper status was not depressed. Serum lipid measures and hemoglobin concentrations were also unaffected and gastrointestinal symptoms were not reported. These data provide evidence in support of the need for reexamining the current UL for zinc for children.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Research Division, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. jesse.bertinato@hc-sc.gc.ca
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bertinato
authors.forename: Janis Randall
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sherrard
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Louise J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Plouffe
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Van Dyke
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Geleynse
authors.forename: Yian Yian
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Dam
authors.forename: Paddy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Knee
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vresk
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: Hanson
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Quach
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mack
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Mary R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: L'abbé
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hayward
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002570:Ceruloplasmin / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009864:Ontario; D012016:Reference Values; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000606290:SOD1 protein, human; D014131:Trace Elements; D003300:Copper; D003404:Creatinine; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1; D002570:Ceruloplasmin; D015032:Zinc