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Document Historic, Archive Do assume not content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. ANNUAL RESEARCH PROGRESS REPORT FY 2000 Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center ANNUAL RESEARCH PROGRESS REPORT (FY 2000) GRAND FORKS HUMAN NUTRITION RESEARCH CENTER UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE NORTHERN PLAINS AREA GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202 J MINERAL NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS MANAGEMENT UNIT : . . PAGE 1 09/15/00 : ANNUAL RESEARCH PROGRESS REPORT Report of Progress (AD-421) Accession: 0149753 Year: 00 Project Number: 5450-51000-012-00 D Mode Code: 5450-10-00 STP Codes: 5.1.3.3 50% 5.1.3.4 50% National Program(s) 107 100% : Title: EFFECTS OF COPPER DEPLETION ON CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION AND METABOLISM Period Covered From: 10/99 To: 09/00 Would you like to terminate this Project? N Will this project terminate within the first 2 months of FY2 001? N Progress and Outcomes 1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it? Diets in the U.S. frequently are low in copper in comparison to dietary standards set by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences; these diets resemble the low copper diets that have produced abnormal electrocardiograms, increased cholesterol in blood, impaired metabolism of sugar, and poor control of blood pressure in men and women in controlled experiments. Diets low in copper may contribute to human illness (See Question 2) The approach to the problem is to identify new biochemistry and physiology of copper with animal experiments to provide functional biomarkers useful in dietary experiments with human volunteers and in community studies. The experiments will identify mechanisms by which adequate dietary copper produces beneficial effects, will identify new effects of human diets low in copper and will contribute to the establishment of national dietary standards. People with biomarkers suggestive of low copper intakes will be supplemented and their responses evaluated. 2 How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? . The major signs of copper deficiency found in depleted men and women and deficient animals resemble the most common characteristics that can predict risk of ischemic heart disease in people. Nearly 80 anatomical, chemical and physiological similarities between animals deficient in copper and people with ischemic heart disease have been identified. It seems likely that the low copper diet common in the U.S. contributes to this disease which is the leading cause of death in the U.S., 480,000 deaths annually. The cost of medical care for this illness is more than $5 billion per year which does not include effects of sorrow, time lost from work or annual cost of prevention (at least $1000 per person) Proper selection of foods may yield diets that meet the ? . PAGE : 2 09/15/1 ANNUAL RESEARCH PROGRESS REPORT Report of Progress (AD-421) Accession: 0149753 Year: 00 Project Number: 5450-51000-012-00 D Mode Code: 5450-10-00 STP Codes: 5.1.3.3 50% 5.1.3.4 50% National Program(s) 107 100% : standards necessary to both illness and expense. This work is relevant to dietitians, food companies, physicians, producers of grain, legumes, nuts and other foods high in copper, public health planners, and teachers of nutrition. 3. How does it relate to the National Program(s) and National Program Component s ( ) The research program fits into the National Program 107, Human Nutrition and Performance Goal 3.1.1. Human nutrition requirements. Emphasis is on biomarkers, mechanisms of action, nutrient interactions and functions as related to healthy hearts and blood vessels to optimize longevity, to decrease disease incidence and to improve productivity. Cooperative studies are in progress with Loma Linda University and the Health Research and Studies Center to evaluate the effects of diets high in complex foods on biomarkers of trace element status and with the Medical College of Ohio to clarify the mechanisms by which copper deficiency alters electrocardiograms 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Based on findings from deficiency experiments in animals, it generally is assumed that enzymes dependent on trace elements for activity can be used to assess nutritional status of people. Drs B. Bruce and G.A. Spiller of the Health . Research and Studies Center fed women a diet high in whole and unrefined foods in California. In addition to a favorable effect on blood lipids related to heart disease, we (at the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center) found that activities of enzymes dependent on copper (superoxide dismutase) and selenium (glutathione peroxidase) were affected more by the total diet than by the intake of these elements. These conventional measurements of nutritional status may be useful only in laboratory studies in contrast to field or population studies where diets are quite variable. B. Evidence that diets low in copper can adversely affect heart function is scattered widely in publications in many scientific fields such as animal husbandry, biochemistry, biology, clinical nutrition, medicine, nutrition, physiology and surgery. Major discoveries about abnormal anatomy, chemistry and physiology of copper deficiency from the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center and elsewhere were presented in historical context. The evidence for low copper status in people was emphasized and characteristics of people