90-Day Cobalt Supplementation Study to Investigate the Cobalt Body Burden in Ten Healthy Adult Volunteers

A 90-Day Cobalt Supplementation Study to Investigate the Cobalt Body Burden in Ten Healthy Adult Volunteers

The purpose of this study is to investigate steady-state cobalt levels following dietary supplementation for 90 days with 1 mg cobalt/day (as cobalt chloride in solution) in healthy adult volunteers.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Cobalt Biokinetics; Safety of Cobalt Dietary Supplementation

Detailed Description

Over the counter cobalt (Co) dietary supplements are available for sale in the United States, but little is known regarding their clinical effects and biokinetic distribution and body burden with long-term use. This study assessed blood kinetics, steady-state levels, biochemical responses, and clinical effects in five adult males and five adult females who voluntarily ingested approximately 1.0 mg Co/day of a commercially available Co supplement over a three month period. Volunteers were instructed to take the Co-dietary supplement in the morning according to the manufacturer's label. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for a number of biochemical parameters before, during, and after dosing. Hearing, vision, cardiac, and neurological functions were also assessed in volunteers before, during, and after dosing.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 13

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy adult volunteers from work site and off work site

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subject ≥ 18 years old.
• Subject able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent form for the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject is unwilling to discontinue current multivitamins or other types of dietary supplements while on study
• Subject has a documented history of an allergy to cobalt
• Subject has a documented history of severe cardiac problems (e.g., congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia within past 12 months, cardiomyopathy)
• Subject has a documented history of thyroid, kidney, or liver disease
• Subject has insulin-dependent diabetes
• Subject has a concurrent illness or personal stressor which in the opinion of the investigator may interfere with the subject's ability to perform the study's requirements.
• Subject has a total joint replacement (e.g., knee, hip, shoulder)
• Subject is pregnant or breastfeeding
• Subject is unwilling to follow protocol requirements
• Subject weight is less than 45 kg

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Study Volunteers; Volunteers (males and females) were instructed to take the cobalt dietary supplement in the morning according to the manufacturer's label, which suggested a serving of 1 mg cobalt (~2 mL) daily "in water or juice as maintenance." Dietary supplementation lasted for approximately three months.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Cobalt Whole Blood Concentrations	The cobalt concentration in whole blood and serum was determined one to two weeks pre-dosing and on the day of the first day of dosing before taking the supplement. Samples were also analyzed during the dosing period as follows: Day 4/5, Day 8/9, Day 14/16, Day 22/23, Day 29/30, Day 43/44, Day 57/58, Day 71/72, and Day 88/90. Cobalt concentration in whole blood and serum was also determined at one, two, six, ten and 16 weeks post-dosing.	Before, during and after cobalt supplementation
Cobalt Serum Concentrations	The cobalt concentration in whole blood and serum was determined one to two weeks pre-dosing and on the day of the first day of dosing before taking the supplement. Samples were also analyzed during the dosing period as follows: Day 4/5, Day 8/9, Day 14/16, Day 22/23, Day 29/30, Day 43/44, Day 57/58, Day 71/72, and Day 88/90. Cobalt concentration in whole blood and serum was also determined at one, two, six, ten and 16 weeks post-dosing.	Before, during and after cobalt supplementation

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Albumin Bound Cobalt Fraction in Serum	The fraction of albumin bound cobalt in serum was determined one to two weeks pre-dosing and on the day of the first dose before taking the supplement. Samples were also analyzed during the dosing period as follows: Day 4/5, Day 8/9, Day 14/16, Day 22/23, Day 29/30, Day 43/44, Day 57/58, Day 71/72, Day 88/90 and the fraction of albumin bound cobalt in serum was also determined at one and two weeks post-dosing.	Study volunteers will be followed for the duration of the study, an average of about 8 months for most volunteers
Effects on the Immune System	Sensitivity to metals before and after cobalt supplementation was assessed by an in vitro lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) performed at week 0 and after three months of cobalt supplementation. The average proliferation rate for each metal treatment was normalized to individual proliferation rates of untreated control cells which generated a stimulation index (SI). According to the manufacture, the SI ranges from 0-15, with an SI from 2 to 4 indicated mild reactivity, from 5 to 8 indicated moderate reactivity, and >8 indicated high reactivity to the metal. The data is presented as the averaged normalized lymphocyte transformation response to each metal in men and women combined (n = 10).	0 weeks and three months
Hemoglobin Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
Changes in Audiological Function	Audiologic assessments including pure tone threshold determination at frequencies ranging from 250 to 16000 Hz were performed with volunteers serving as their own baseline controls for receptive changes during the study (i.e., week 0, ~day 45, ~day 90). Audiologic assessments including a pure-tone threshold determination at frequencies that ranged from 250 to 16000 Hz were performed with volunteers serving as their own baseline controls for receptive changes during the study. Decreases in hearing were considered clinically significant when one of the following 3 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association criteria were met: 1) a ≥20-dB decrease in the pure-tone threshold at one test frequency, 2) a ≥10-dB decrease at 2 adjacent test frequencies, or 3) the loss of 3 consecutive test frequencies where responses were previously obtained.	Baseline, at the study midpoint, and at the study completion
Changes in Cardiac Function	Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examinations were used to assess cardiac anatomy, structure, and function during the study with volunteers serving as their own baseline controls for changes during the study (i.e., week 0, ~day 45, ~day 90).	Baseline, at the study midpoint, and at the study completion
Changes in Visual Function	Ophthalmology studies included an assessment of visual acuity, slit lamp evaluations, and visual field testing. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and optic nerve head (ONH) were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Volunteers served as their own baseline controls for changes during the study (i.e., week 0, ~day 45, ~day 90).	Baseline, at the study midpoint, and at the study completion
Changes in Neurological Function (Peroneal Motor Amplitude)	Values of the sural sensory and peroneal motor variables. Volunteers served as their own baseline controls for changes during the study (i.e., week 0, ~day 45, ~day 90, and ~4-6 post-weeks).	Baseline, at the study midpoint, and at the study completion
White Blood Cell (WBC) Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Cobalt Dietary Supplementation	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
Red Blood Cell (RBC) Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
Hematocrit Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
Protein Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
Albumin Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
T4 Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
Total Iron Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
Ferritin Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
Creatine Creatine Kinase-Myocardial Band (CK-MB) Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
Creatinine Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
HDL Cholesterol Levels After 3 Months of Cobalt Supplementation	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. HDL cholesterol levels were assessed before cobalt dietary supplementation and after three months of supplementation.	Study volunteers were assessed before and at the end of cobalt supplementation
Total Cholesterol Levels After 3 Months of Cobalt Supplementation	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Total cholesterol levels were assessed before cobalt dietary supplementation and after three months of supplementation.	Study volunteers were assessed before and at the end of cobalt supplementation
Triglyceride Levels After 3 Months of Cobalt Supplementation	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Triglyceride levels were assessed before cobalt dietary supplementation and after three months of supplementation.	Study volunteers were assessed before and at the end of cobalt supplementation
Glucose Levels After 1, 2 and 3 Months of Dosing	Blood chemistries assessed during the study included a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, creatine kinase-myocardial band, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and complete blood count with differential, total iron, and ferritin. Blood chemistries were assessed at one or two week pre-dose, pre-dose/ Day 1 before taking the supplement, Day 29/30, Day 57/58, Day 88/90 and one and two weeks post-dose.	Study volunteers were assessed before, during and after cobalt supplementation (2 wk post)
Cobalt Urine Concentrations	A 24 hr urine collection for cobalt analysis was performed at Day 14/16, Day 43/44 and Day 88/90.	During cobalt supplementation
Cobalt Urine Concentrations After Cessation of Cobalt Supplementation	A 24 hr urine collection for cobalt analysis was performed on three volunteers (two females and one male) at one, two, six and ten weeks post-dosing. The one male volunteer provided three consecutive 24-hr urine samples at the one and two week post-dosing time points; data for individual urine collections were averaged together to give an average one and two week post-dosing data concentration.	After cobalt supplementation
Changes in Cardiac Function (LVEF)	Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examinations were used to assess cardiac anatomy, structure, and function during the study with volunteers serving as their own baseline controls for changes during the study (i.e., week 0, ~day 45, ~day 90).	Baseline, at the study midpoint, and at the study completion
Changes in Cardiac Function (LA Volume Index)	Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examinations were used to assess cardiac anatomy, structure, and function during the study with volunteers serving as their own baseline controls for changes during the study (i.e., week 0, ~day 45, ~day 90).	Baseline, at the study midpoint, and at the study completion
Changes in Visual Function (Average RNFL Thickness)	Ophthalmology studies included an assessment of visual acuity, slit lamp evaluations, and visual field testing. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and optic nerve head (ONH) were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Volunteers served as their own baseline controls for changes during the study (i.e., week 0, ~day 45, ~day 90).	Baseline, at the study midpoint, and at the study completion
Changes in Visual Function (Average C:D Ratio)	Ophthalmology studies included an assessment of visual acuity, slit lamp evaluations, and visual field testing. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and optic nerve head (ONH) were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Volunteers served as their own baseline controls for changes during the study (i.e., week 0, ~day 45, ~day 90).	Baseline, at the study midpoint, and at the study completion
Changes in Visual Function (Cup Volume)	Ophthalmology studies included an assessment of visual acuity, slit lamp evaluations, and visual field testing. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and optic nerve head (ONH) were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Volunteers served as their own baseline controls for changes during the study (i.e., week 0, ~day 45, ~day 90).	Baseline, at the study midpoint, and at the study completion
Changes in Visual Function (VFI)	Ophthalmology studies included an assessment of visual acuity, slit lamp evaluations, and visual field testing. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and optic nerve head (ONH) were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Volunteers served as their own baseline controls for changes during the study (i.e., week 0, ~day 45, ~day 90).	Baseline, at the study midpoint, and at the study completion
Changes in Visual Function (Mean Deviation and PSD)	Ophthalmology studies included an assessment of visual acuity, slit lamp evaluations, and visual field testing. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and optic nerve head (ONH) were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Volunteers served as their own baseline controls for changes during the study (i.e., week 0, ~day 45, ~day 90).	Baseline, at the study midpoint, and at the study completion
Changes in Neurological Function (Sural Sensory Amplitude)	Values of the sural sensory and peroneal motor variables. Volunteers served as their own baseline controls for changes during the study (i.e., week 0, ~day 45, ~day 90, and ~4-6 post-weeks).	Baseline, at the study midpoint, and at the study completion
Changes in Neurological Function (Velocity)	Values of the sural sensory and peroneal motor variables. Volunteers served as their own baseline controls for changes during the study (i.e., week 0, ~day 45, ~day 90, and ~4-6 post-weeks).	Baseline, at the study midpoint, and at the study completion

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Cardno ChemRisk
• Collaborators: DePuy Orthopaedics
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: David Galbraith, MD, Cardno ChemRisk; Study Director: David Galbraith, MD, Cardno ChemRisk

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Tvermoes BE, Unice KM, Paustenbach DJ, Finley BL, Otani JM, Galbraith DA. Effects and blood concentrations of cobalt after ingestion of 1 mg/d by human volunteers for 90 d. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Mar;99(3):632-46. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.071449. Epub 2014 Feb 5.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: June 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): March 1, 2013
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): July 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 12, 2013
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 16, 2013
• First Posted (ESTIMATE): November 21, 2013

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ESTIMATE): October 6, 2014
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 3, 2014
• Last Verified: October 1, 2014

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Dietary Supplements; Thyroid; Cobalt; Hematological
• Other Study ID Numbers: CR103