Phosphate binders do not compromise the copper status of adult renal disease patients on hemodialysis.
The effects of phosphate binder therapies (calcium carbonate, calcium acetate, or aluminum hydroxide) on copper status were assessed in 88 adult patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Subjects were divided into two groups based on binder therapy compliance as specified by medical criteria established by the Health Care Financing Administration. Binder compliant subjects (n = 62), aged 59.7+/-12.2 yr, maintained serum phosphorus concentrations of 3.5-6.0 mg/dL. Noncompliant subjects (n = 26), aged 54.2+/-13.8 yr, had serum phosphorus concentrations > 6.0 mg/dL. Mean plasma and red blood cell (RBC) copper, serum ceruloplasmin, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity did not differ between binder compliant and noncompliant subjects. Mean RBC copper, plasma copper, and serum ceruloplasmin concentrations of hemodialysis subjects were within normal limits, despite copper intakes of less than two-thirds of the lower limit of the Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intakes for copper. The phosphate binder therapies (calcium carbonate, calcium acetate, and/or aluminum hydroxide) had no effect on the copper status of patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis.