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Supplementation with a calcium rich marine-derived multi-mineral supplement and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides on serum cytokines in postmenopausal women: results of a 24 month double blind randomized controlled study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 September 2015

B.E. Cronin ,
P.J. Allsopp ,
M.M. Slevin ,
P.J. Magee ,
M.B.E. Livingstone ,
J.J. Strain  and
E.M. McSorley
B.E. Cronin
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, BT52 1SA
P.J. Allsopp
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, BT52 1SA
M.M. Slevin
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, BT52 1SA
P.J. Magee
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, BT52 1SA
M.B.E. Livingstone
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, BT52 1SA
J.J. Strain
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, BT52 1SA
E.M. McSorley
Affiliation:
Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, BT52 1SA
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Abstract

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Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 74 , Issue OCE4: Irish Section Meeting, 17–19 June 2015, Nutrition at key life stages: new findings, new approaches , 2015 , E261
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2015 

Supplements are routinely taken, particularly by postmenopausal women to meet the daily required intake of calcium (Ca)( Reference Hodgson, Watts and Bilezekian 1 ). Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) enhance intestinal Ca absorption( Reference Tahiri, Tressol and Arnaud 2 ) with a recent study reporting that scFOS combined with Ca enhances bone turnover markers( Reference Slevin, Allsopp and Magee 3 ). However, high Ca intakes via Ca containing supplements have been implicated as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD)( Reference Bolland, Grey and Avenell 4 ). Inflammation is proposed to be a risk factor for CVD( Reference Willerson and Ridker 5 ).The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a Ca rich marine-derived multi-mineral supplement (trade name Aquamin) administered alone or in combination with scFOS (trade name Nutraflora) on circulating inflammatory cytokines in postmenopausal women.

A two year double-blind placebo controlled trial originally designed to examine bone health provided a convenience sample for this study. A total of 300 postmenopausal women (mean Body Mass Index (BMI) 27·3 (SD 4·7) kg/m2) aged 47–75 years were randomly assigned to receive; 800 mg of Ca (2·4 g Aquamin), 800 mg of Ca with 3 g of scFOS (3·2 g Nutraflora) (CaFOS) or maltodextrin (MD). Using stored serum samples, inflammatory markers IL-6, IL-10, IL-4, and TNF-α were analysed at baseline and 24 months using multi-plex enzyme-linked immune assay (ELISA) plates. Intention to treat ANCOVA (using baseline measures as covariates) was conducted to examine treatment effects between groups and controlling for baseline age, BMI and alcohol use.

Values are median (25th, 75th). Treatment effects between groups assessed by ANCOVA, significant at P < 0·05.

There was no treatment effect on each of the inflammatory markers assessed except for IL-4 where there was a significant treatment effect in the CaFOS group (P < 0·01) following post hoc analysis. Ca combined with scFOS stimulates IL-4 production, an anti-inflammatory cytokine which may aid in the suppression of a pro-inflammatory response in postmenopausal women. No pro-inflammatory effect was observed in any of the treatment groups, suggesting that these supplements are not adversely affecting systemic inflammation in this group of postmenopausal women.

This work was funded by Marigot (Cork, Ireland), Ingredion Inc. (Bridgewater, NJ) and a PhD studentship received from the Department for Employment and Learning.

References

1. Hodgson, SF, Watts, NB, Bilezekian, JP et al. (2003) Endocr Pract 9, 544–64.Google Scholar
2. Tahiri, M, Tressol, JC, Arnaud, J et al. (2003) Am J Clin Nutr 77, 449–57.Google Scholar
3. Slevin, MM, Allsopp, PJ, Magee, PJ et al. (2014) J Nutr 144(3), 297–304.Google Scholar
4. Bolland, MJ, Grey, A, Avenell, A et al. (2011) BMJ 342;d2040.Google Scholar
5. Willerson, JT & Ridker, PM (2004) Circulation 109, II-2–II-10.Google Scholar