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

Abstract

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.

Risk of Environmental Chemicals on Bone Fractures Is Independent of Low Bone Mass in US Adults: Insights from 2017 to 2018 NHANES

“…Based on these two results, our study found a strong positive correlation between urinary manganese exposure and osteopenia; this result is consistent with the study of Karamati et al [ 12 ]. In addition, the zinc/copper ratio in serum and bone is positively correlated with systemic BMD and BMC in older men with osteoarthritis [ 35 ]. Serum selenium level was positively correlated with BMD in the forearm and heel [ 36 ].…”

Relationships Between Indicators of Metabolic Disorders and Selected Concentrations of Bioelements and Lead in Serum and Bone Tissue in Aging Men

“…In a previous study, we showed that the Zn/Cu ratio in bone was positively associated with bone density and bone mineral content in the whole body. 33 Bone in humans contains up to 30% of the Zn accumulated in the body. Zn deficiencies may cause delayed bone growth.…”

The Role of Systemic Filtrating Organs in Aging and Their Potential in Rejuvenation Strategies

“…An illustration of the differences between theoretical assumptions regarding the hierarchical order of the aging process [39] and the various experimental avenues that show the complex relationship between the various hallmarks of aging. These include targeting nutrient sensing pathways [6,7,[44][45][46][47], circulating factors and young plasma [48][49][50][51], senescent cell ablation [52][53][54][55][56] and cell programming factors [57,58].…”