Tracking bone mineral imbalance with Ca and Sr isotope ratios v2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Establishing a methodology and reference baseline for 44Ca/42Ca and 88Sr/86Sr isotope ratio measurements in human blood as a monitor of bone mineral balance and test for onset of osteoporosis
IRAS ID
363289
Contact name
Tim Elliott
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
The study is a proof of principle exploration of the value of Ca and Sr isotope measurements (44Ca/42Ca and 88Sr/86Sr) to assess human bone mineral imbalance. Recent work has shown that net bone wastage results in lower 44Ca/42Ca of blood. This finding merits more detailed investigation as a potentially valuable screening tool and means to monitor treatment of osteoporosis. However, application of this tool is currently hampered by the very limited availability of facilities that can make sufficiently precise Ca isotope measurements. The few labs capable of making such measurements are typically found in Earth Science laboratories, such as the School of Earth Sciences at Bristol. This project is a collaboration between the School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol and UHBW to couple medical and analytical expertise to develop measurements of 44Ca/42Ca and 88Sr/86Sr in blood to track bone wastage.
The main aim of this study is to illustrate our capability to make precise 44Ca/42Ca analyses of blood samples. However we will also make a tandem exploration of the use of analagous 88Sr/86Sr measurements, that can be made on the same blood samples. We will document: 1) sample reproducibility, 2) assess our ability to resolve expected higher 44Ca/42Ca (and 88Sr/86Sr) in the blood of a younger (21-40) relative to an older (56-74) cohort of women and 3) make a comparison with literature data and in particular assess the value our higher analytical precision in tracing increased bone resorption with age. To achieve these objectives, we will analyse 40 pseudonynmised, surplus blood samples from the Department of Laboratory Medicine UHBW. In this initial test we will screen to select only samples with apparent normal bone growth to isolate the effect of age alone. The main aim of this study will document capability for the further development of this approach.
REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0302
Date of REC Opinion
14 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion