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Acute Copper Supplementation Does Not Inhibit Non-Heme Iron Bioavailability in Humans

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Abstract

To measure the effect of acute copper (Cu) administration, given as an aqueous solution, on the absorption of iron (Fe), 29 healthy adult women participated in two iron absorption studies. Subjects received 0.5 mg of Fe, as ferrous sulfate, alone or with Cu, as copper sulfate, at 0.5:1, 1:1, or 2:1 Cu/Fe molar ratios (study I) or at 4:1, 6:1, or 8:1 Cu/Fe molar ratios (study II) as an aqueous solution on days 1, 2, 14, and 15 of the study. Fe absorption was assessed by erythrocyte incorporation of iron radioisotopes 55Fe and 59Fe. Geometric mean (range ± SD) absorption of Fe alone or at 0.5:1, 1:1, 2:1 Cu/Fe molar ratios were 34.4% (17.3–68.5%), 40.9% (24.9–67.2%), 48.3% (24.8–94.1%), and 50.2% (25.3–99.5%), respectively (ANOVA, p = 0.12). Geometric mean (range ± SD) absorption of Fe alone or at 4:1, 6:1, 8:1 Cu/Fe molar ratios were 28.7% (12.1–67.9%), 21.5% (6.5–71.5%), 29.6% (10.3–85.4%), and 36.5% (18.3–73.1%), respectively (ANOVA, p = 0.16). In conclusion, combined Cu and Fe administration in an aqueous solution does not inhibit Fe bioavailability. This information could help in the design of rational guidelines for copper and iron supplementation programs. Our results support the hypothesis that divalent metal transporter 1 is not physiologically relevant for copper absorption in humans.

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Abbreviations

Cu:

Copper

Fe:

Iron

Hb:

Hemoglobin

MCV:

Mean cell volume

ZPP:

Zn-protoporphyrin

Sat:

Transferrin saturation

RBC:

Red blood cells

SF:

Serum ferritin

DMT1:

Divalent metal transporter 1

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the grant 1070665 from FONDECYT–Chile. We thank Ms. Angélica Letelier for her technical assistance in the laboratory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile

    Manuel Olivares, Fernando Pizarro & Daniel López de Romaña

  2. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile

    Manuel Ruz

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  1. Manuel Olivares
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  2. Fernando Pizarro
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  3. Daniel López de Romaña
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  4. Manuel Ruz
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Correspondence to Manuel Olivares.

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Olivares, M., Pizarro, F., de Romaña, D.L. et al. Acute Copper Supplementation Does Not Inhibit Non-Heme Iron Bioavailability in Humans. Biol Trace Elem Res 136, 180–186 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-009-8536-1

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