Copper utilization in humans as affected by amino acid supplements

Journal Article · Thu Feb 09 00:00:00 EST 1989 · FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (USA)

OSTI ID:6832817

Kies, C; Chuang, J H; Fox, H M ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln (USA)

Earlier work suggests that absorption of copper as well as several other mineral nutrients may be promoted, inhibited or unaffected by the formation of mineral-amino acid complexes. The objective of the current project was to determine effects of low level supplements of selected amino acids on copper utilization. In a series of studies, healthy, human adult subjected received a basal diet with or without test supplements in separate 14-day periods which were arranged according to a randomized, cross-over design. Test amino acids and amounts given per subject per day were as follows; L-arginine, 1.2 g; L-lysine, 1.0 g; L-cystine, 1.0 g and L-methionine, 1.0 g. Subjects made complete collections of urine and stools. Fasting blood samples were drawn. Food, urine, feces and blood were analyzed for copper contents using a carbon rod attachment on a Varian atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Fecal copper losses were unaffected by used of lysine, tryptophan and methionine supplements but were reduced with use of the arginine and cystine supplements. Urine losses of copper were reduced with used of the lysine and tryptophan supplements, were increased with the methionine and cystine supplements and were unaffected when the arginine supplements were employed. Blood serum copper levels were not significantly affected by use of these supplement although some trends were noted.

• OSTI ID: 6832817
• Journal Information: FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (USA), Vol. 3:3; ISSN 0892-6638
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AMINO ACIDS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COPPER
METABOLISM
ARGININE
BLOOD
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CYSTINE
DIET
FECES
FOOD
LYSINE
MAN
METHIONINE
NUTRIENTS
NUTRITION
URINE
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BODY FLUIDS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DISULFIDES
DRUGS
ELEMENTS
LIPOTROPIC FACTORS
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
METALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PRIMATES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology