Human Biomarkers for Assessing Copper Deficiency

CuD subjects In order to be enrolled into the CuD Arm, subjects who have had RYGB surgery will be recruited and screened for eligibility (inclusion and exclusion criteria below). Subjects whose plasma copper concentrations are in the deficient range (less than 80 μg/dL for women and less than 70 µg/dL for men, and/or ceruloplasmin activity below 62 units/L-1) following 4 weeks of supplementation with the RDA for copper will be eligible. Such supplementation is the routine standard of care with all patients undergoing RYGB surgery. This process aims to exclude patients who were only marginally copper deficient and not in need of sustained copper therapy. Subjects will be notified about their copper status by a study physician. They will be contacted by the study team, and their willingness to participate in the study will be determined.

Inclusion criteria: 1) Patient has a history of RYGB weight loss surgery; 2) subject has a plasma copper level which is less than 80 μg/dL for women andl less than 70 µg/dL for men, and/or ceruloplasmin activity below 62 units/L-1; 3) subject is at least 18 but not more than 65 years of age; and 4) subject has signed an informed consent.

Exclusion criteria: 1) subject exhibits severe neurologic signs or symptoms (e.g. severe paresthesias, severe gait disturbances, or severe weakness which require intravenous copper supplementation; 2) subject is pregnant; 3) subject has history of surgical revision or conversion of bariatric procedure; 4) subject has a history of hospitalization for acute illness in the previous 3 months; 5) subject has current active malignant neoplasm; or history of malignancy other than localized basal cell cancer of skin during previous 5 years; 6) subject has current history of type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

CuN subjects In order to be enrolled into the CuN control arm, subjects who have had RYGB surgery will be recruited and screened for eligibility (inclusion and exclusion criteria below). Subjects will have plasma copper concentrations in the normal range (80 - 155 μg/dL for women and 70 - 140 µg/dL for men, and/or ceruloplasmin activity above 62 units/L-1). Subjects will also be eligible if they can be matched for stage of weight management (either active weight loss or weight stable) and gender with a CuD subject. Subjects will be notified about their copper status and their eligibility and their willingness to participate in the study will be determined.

Inclusion criteria: 1) Patient has a history of RYGB weight loss surgery; 2) subject has a plasma copper level which is 80 - 155 μg/dL for women and 70 - 140 µg/dL for men, and/or ceruloplasmin activity above 62 units/L-1; 3) subject can be matched for stage of weight management and gender with a CuD subject, 4) subject is at least 18 but not more than 65 years of age; and 5) subject has signed an informed consent.

Exclusion criteria: 1) subject is pregnant; 2) subject has history of surgical revision or conversion of bariatric procedure; 3) subject has a history of hospitalization for acute illness in the previous 3 months; 4) subject has current active malignant neoplasm; or history of malignancy other than localized basal cell cancer of skin during previous 5 years; 5) subject has current history type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

NW Control Arm For the normal-weight control arm (NW Control), subjects who have not had bariatric surgery and are of normal weight will be recruited.

Inclusion criteria: 1) Subject has a plasma copper level which is 80 - 155 μg/dL for women and 70 - 140 µg/dL for men, and/or ceruloplasmin activity above 62 units/L-1; 2) subject is of normal weight, BMI between 20 - 30 kg/m2, 3) subject is at least 18 but not more than 65 years of age; and 4) subject has signed an informed consent.

Exclusion criteria: 1) subject is pregnant; 2) subject has history of abdominal surgery or history of gastrointestinal disease; 3) subject has a history of hospitalization for acute illness in the previous 3 months; 4) subject has current active malignant neoplasm; or history of malignancy other than localized basal cell cancer of skin during previous 5 years; 5) subject has current history type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.