The Role of Consumption of Molybdenum Biofortified Crops in Bone Homeostasis and Healthy Aging

Overview

Journal Nutrients

Date 2023 Feb 25

PMID 36839380

Authors

Sonya Vasto

Davide Baldassano

Leo Sabatino

Rosalia Caldarella

Luigi Di Rosa

Sara Baldassano

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease and public health issue in aging populations. Inadequate intake of micronutrients increases the risk of bone loss during an adult's lifespan and therefore of osteoporosis. The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of consumption of biofortified crops with the micronutrient molybdenum (Mo) on bone remodeling and metabolism in a population of adults and seniors. The trial enrolled 42 senior and 42 adult people randomly divided into three groups that consumed lettuce biofortified with molybdenum (Mo-biofortified group) or without biofortification (control group) or molybdenum in a tablet (Mo-tablet group) for 12 days. We chose an experimental period of 12 days because the bone remodeling marker levels are influenced in the short term. Therefore, a period of 12 days allows us to determine if there are changes in the indicators. Blood samples, obtained at time zero and at the end of the study, were compared within the groups adults and seniors for the markers of bone resorption, -terminal telopeptide (CTX) and bone formation osteocalcin, along with the markers of bone metabolism, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, albumin-adjusted calcium, vitamin D, phosphate and potassium. Consumption of a Mo tablet did not affect bone metabolism in the study. Consumption of Mo-biofortified lettuce significantly reduced levels of CTX and PTH and increased vitamin D in adults and seniors while levels of osteocalcin, calcitonin, calcium, potassium and phosphate were not affected. The study opens up new considerations about the role of nutrition and supplementation in the prevention of chronic diseases in middle-aged and older adults. Consumption of Mo-biofortified lettuce positively impacts bone metabolism in middle-aged and older adults through reduced bone resorption and improved bone metabolism while supplementation of Mo tablets did not affect bone remodeling or metabolism. Therefore, Mo-biofortified lettuce may be used as a nutrition intervention to improve bone homeostasis and prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis in the elderly.

Citing Articles

Consumption of lettuce with seaweed extract biostimulant application improved iron homeostasis in a randomized interventional trial of healthy individuals.

Di Gaudio F, Vasto S, Sabatino L, Ferrantelli V, Macaluso A, Caldarella R Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1):7799.

PMID: 40050333 PMC: 11885599. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-91380-7.

Bitter acids from Humulus lupulus L. alleviate D-galactose induced osteoblastic senescence and bone loss via regulating AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy.

Xia T, Xu S, Lai L, Jiang Y, Wang N, Xin H J Food Drug Anal. 2025; 32(4):506-519.

PMID: 39752859 PMC: 11698591. DOI: 10.38212/2224-6614.3508.

Metal Ion Signaling in Biomedicine.

Rodriguez R, Muller S, Colombeau L, Solier S, Sindikubwabo F, Caneque T Chem Rev. 2025; 125(2):660-744.

PMID: 39746035 PMC: 11758815. DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00577.

Modulation of cherry tomato performances in response to molybdenum biofortification and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a soilless system.

Vultaggio L, Allevato E, Sabatino L, Ntatsi G, Rouphael Y, Torta L Heliyon. 2024; 10(13):e33498.

PMID: 39027518 PMC: 11255863. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33498.

High-intensity interval training improves bone remodeling, lipid profile, and physical function in multiple sclerosis patients.

Amato A, Proia P, Alioto A, Rossi C, Pagliaro A, Ragonese P Sci Rep. 2024; 14(1):16195.

PMID: 39003295 PMC: 11246443. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66448-5.

References

Gao Y, Patil S, Jia J . The Development of Molecular Biology of Osteoporosis. Int J Mol Sci. 2021; 22(15). PMC: 8347149. DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158182. View

Vasto S, Amato A, Proia P, Caldarella R, Cortis C, Baldassano S . Dare to jump: The effect of the new high impact activity SuperJump on bone remodeling. A new tool to maintain fitness during COVID-19 home confinement. Biol Sport. 2022; 39(4):1011-1019. PMC: 9536383. DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2022.108993. View

Killilea D, Killilea A . Mineral requirements for mitochondrial function: A connection to redox balance and cellular differentiation. Free Radic Biol Med. 2022; 182:182-191. DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.02.022. View

Khandare A, Suresh P, Uday Kumar P, Lakshmaiah N, Manjula N, Rao G . Beneficial effect of copper supplementation on deposition of fluoride in bone in fluoride- and molybdenum-fed rabbits. Calcif Tissue Int. 2005; 77(4):233-8. DOI: 10.1007/s00223-005-0071-2. View

Liu J . Antiaging agents: safe interventions to slow aging and healthy life span extension. Nat Prod Bioprospect. 2022; 12(1):18. PMC: 9086005. DOI: 10.1007/s13659-022-00339-y. View

Wang F, Wu R, Chen Y, Ko J, Jahr H, Lian W . Biophysical Modulation of the Mitochondrial Metabolism and Redox in Bone Homeostasis and Osteoporosis: How Biophysics Converts into Bioenergetics. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021; 10(9). PMC: 8466850. DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091394. View

Baldassano S, Accardi G, Vasto S . Beta-glucans and cancer: The influence of inflammation and gut peptide. Eur J Med Chem. 2017; 142:486-492. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.09.013. View

Hays S, Macey K, Poddalgoda D, Lu M, Nong A, Aylward L . Biomonitoring Equivalents for molybdenum. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2016; 77:223-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.03.004. View

Novotny J, Turnlund J . Molybdenum intake influences molybdenum kinetics in men. J Nutr. 2006; 137(1):37-42. DOI: 10.1093/jn/137.1.37. View

10.

Sabatino L, Consentino B, Ntatsi G, La Bella S, Baldassano S, Rouphael Y . Stand-Alone or Combinatorial Effects of Grafting and Microbial and Non-Microbial Derived Compounds on Vigour, Yield and Nutritive and Functional Quality of Greenhouse Eggplant. Plants (Basel). 2022; 11(9). PMC: 9105124. DOI: 10.3390/plants11091175. View

11.

Liu N, Guan Y, Li B, Yao S . Biomonitorization of concentrations of 28 elements in serum and urine among workers exposed to indium compounds. PLoS One. 2021; 16(2):e0246943. PMC: 7899351. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246943. View

12.

Amato A, Proia P, Caldara G, Alongi A, Ferrantelli V, Baldassano S . Analysis of Body Perception, Preworkout Meal Habits and Bone Resorption in Child Gymnasts. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18(4). PMC: 7926894. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18042184. View

13.

Martiniakova M, Babikova M, Mondockova V, Blahova J, Kovacova V, Omelka R . The Role of Macronutrients, Micronutrients and Flavonoid Polyphenols in the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis. Nutrients. 2022; 14(3). PMC: 8839902. DOI: 10.3390/nu14030523. View

14.

Hussain S, Ebeling P, Barker A, Beilin L, Tonkin A, McNeil J . Association of Plasma High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level With Risk of Fractures in Healthy Older Adults. JAMA Cardiol. 2023; 8(3):268-272. PMC: 9857824. DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2022.5124. View

15.

La Bella S, Consentino B, Rouphael Y, Ntatsi G, De Pasquale C, Iapichino G . Impact of Seaweed Extract and Mo Foliar Treatments on Biofortification, Spinach Yield, Quality and NUE. Plants (Basel). 2021; 10(6). PMC: 8228496. DOI: 10.3390/plants10061139. View

16.

Sabatino L, DAnna F, Iapichino G, Moncada A, DAnna E, De Pasquale C . Interactive Effects of Genotype and Molybdenum Supply on Yield and Overall Fruit Quality of Tomato. Front Plant Sci. 2019; 9:1922. PMC: 6328480. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01922. View

17.

Nieves J . Osteoporosis: the role of micronutrients. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005; 81(5):1232S-1239S. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/81.5.1232. View

18.

Consentino B, Virga G, La Placa G, Sabatino L, Rouphael Y, Ntatsi G . Celery ( L.) Performances as Subjected to Different Sources of Protein Hydrolysates. Plants (Basel). 2020; 9(12). PMC: 7760353. DOI: 10.3390/plants9121633. View

19.

Baldassano S, Polizzi M, Sabatino L, Caldarella R, Macaluso A, Alongi A . A New Potential Dietary Approach to Supply Micronutrients to Physically Active People through Consumption of Biofortified Vegetables. Nutrients. 2022; 14(14). PMC: 9320783. DOI: 10.3390/nu14142971. View

20.

Proia P, Amato A, Drid P, Korovljev D, Vasto S, Baldassano S . The Impact of Diet and Physical Activity on Bone Health in Children and Adolescents. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021; 12:704647. PMC: 8473684. DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.704647. View