{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]],"date-time":"2026-08-31T13:57:49Z","timestamp":1788184669422,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":47,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2023,2,17]],"date-time":"2023-02-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1676592000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"FFR"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Nutrients"],"abstract":"<jats:p>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\u2019s 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, C-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.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/nu15041022","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,2,20]],"date-time":"2023-02-20T01:36:37Z","timestamp":1676856997000},"page":"1022","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":12,"title":["The Role of Consumption of Molybdenum Biofortified Crops in Bone Homeostasis and Healthy Aging"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6033-4745","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sonya","family":"Vasto","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Euro-Mediterranean Institutes of Science and Technology (IEMEST), 90139 Palermo, Italy"},{"name":"Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Davide","family":"Baldassano","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Promoting Health, Maternal-Infant, Excellence and Internal and Specialized Medicine (ProMISE) G. D\u2019Alessandro, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8992-7045","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Leo","family":"Sabatino","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali (SAAF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 5, 90128 Palermo, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rosalia","family":"Caldarella","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Laboratory Medicine, \u201cP. Giaccone\u201d University Hospital, 90127 Palermo, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Luigi","family":"Di Rosa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5160-5865","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sara","family":"Baldassano","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,2,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hussain, S.M., Ebeling, P.R., Barker, A.L., Beilin, L.J., Tonkin, A.M., and McNeil, J.J. (2023). Association of Plasma High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level With Risk of Fractures in Healthy Older Adults. JAMA Cardiol.,  e225124.","DOI":"10.1001\/jamacardio.2022.5124"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1007\/s13659-022-00339-y","article-title":"Antiaging agents: Safe interventions to slow aging and healthy life span extension","volume":"12","author":"Liu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Nat. Prod. Bioprospect."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"704647","DOI":"10.3389\/fendo.2021.704647","article-title":"The Impact of Diet and Physical Activity on Bone Health in Children and Adolescents","volume":"12","author":"Proia","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gao, Y., Patil, S., and Jia, J. (2021). The Development of Molecular Biology of Osteoporosis. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 22.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms22158182"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"513","DOI":"10.1016\/S0092-8674(01)00571-2","article-title":"LDL receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) affects bone accrual and eye development","volume":"107","author":"Gong","year":"2001","journal-title":"Cell"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"134","DOI":"10.1016\/j.coph.2018.04.011","article-title":"Targeting WNT signaling in the treatment of osteoporosis","volume":"40","author":"Baron","year":"2018","journal-title":"Curr. Opin. Pharm."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.5114\/hm.2018.77318","article-title":"Physical activity, nutrition, and bone health","volume":"19","author":"Amato","year":"2018","journal-title":"Hum. Mov."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101758","DOI":"10.1016\/j.berh.2022.101758","article-title":"Modifiable risk factors for bone health & fragility fractures","volume":"36","author":"Lambert","year":"2022","journal-title":"Best Pract. Res. Clin. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_9","first-page":"S308","article-title":"Effects of protein supplementation in fitness world: A 12-week cross-over studio","volume":"15","author":"Messina","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Hum. Sport Exerc."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"486","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ejmech.2017.09.013","article-title":"Beta-glucans and cancer: The influence of inflammation and gut peptide","volume":"142","author":"Baldassano","year":"2017","journal-title":"Eur. J. Med. Chem."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Baldassano, S., Alioto, A., Amato, A., Rossi, C., Messina, G., Bruno, M.R., Stallone, R., and Proia, P. (2023). Fighting the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mindfulness, Exercise, and Nutrition Practices to Reduce Eating Disorders and Promote Sustainability. Sustainability, 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/su15032120"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Consentino, B.B., Virga, G., La Placa, G.G., Sabatino, L., Rouphael, Y., Ntatsi, G., Iapichino, G., La Bella, S., Mauro, R.P., and D\u2019Anna, F. (2020). Celery (Apium graveolens L.) Performances as Subjected to Different Sources of Protein Hydrolysates. Plants, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/plants9121633"},{"key":"ref_13","first-page":"401","article-title":"Morphological and agronomical characterization of eggplant genetic resources from the Sicily area","volume":"1111","author":"Sabatino","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Food Agric. Environ."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sabatino, L., Consentino, B.B., Ntatsi, G., La Bella, S., Baldassano, S., and Rouphael, Y. (2022). 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, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/plants11091175"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Buturi, C.V., Sabatino, L., Mauro, R.P., Navarro-Le\u00f3n, E., Blasco, B., Leonardi, C., and Giuffrida, F. (2022). Iron Biofortification of Greenhouse Soilless Lettuce: An Effective Agronomic Tool to Improve the Dietary Mineral Intake. Agronomy, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/agronomy12081793"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sabatino, L., Di Gaudio, F., Consentino, B.B., Rouphael, Y., El-Nakhel, C., La Bella, S., Vasto, S., Mauro, R.P., D\u2019Anna, F., and Iapichino, G. (2021). Iodine Biofortification Counters Micronutrient Deficiency and Improve Functional Quality of Open Field Grown Curly Endive. Horticulturae, 7.","DOI":"10.3390\/horticulturae7030058"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sabatino, L., Consentino, B.B., Rouphael, Y., De Pasquale, C., Iapichino, G., D\u2019Anna, F., and La Bella, S. (2021). Protein Hydrolysates and Mo-Biofortification Interactively Modulate Plant Performance and Quality of \u2018Canasta\u2019 Lettuce Grown in a Protected Environment. Agronomy, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/agronomy11061023"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"La Bella, S., Consentino, B.B., Rouphael, Y., Ntatsi, G., De Pasquale, C., Iapichino, G., and Sabatino, L. (2021). Impact of Ecklonia maxima Seaweed Extract and Mo Foliar Treatments on Biofortification, Spinach Yield, Quality and NUE. Plants, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/plants10061139"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"110095","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scienta.2021.110095","article-title":"Selenium biofortification and grafting modulate plant performance and functional features of cherry tomato grown in a soilless system","volume":"285","author":"Sabatino","year":"2021","journal-title":"Sci. Hortic."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1922","DOI":"10.3389\/fpls.2018.01922","article-title":"Interactive Effects of Genotype and Molybdenum Supply on Yield and Overall Fruit Quality of Tomato","volume":"9","author":"Sabatino","year":"2018","journal-title":"Front. Plant Sci."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nfs.2018.03.001","article-title":"Micronutrients in the life cycle: Requirements and sufficient supply","volume":"11","author":"Jana","year":"2018","journal-title":"NFS J."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Consentino, B.B., Ciriello, M., Sabatino, L., Vultaggio, L., Baldassano, S., Vasto, S., Rouphael, Y., La Bella, S., and De Pascale, S. (2023). Current Acquaintance on Agronomic Biofortification to Modulate the Yield and Functional Value of Vegetable Crops: A Review. Horticulturae, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/horticulturae9020219"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"264","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jff.2018.05.059","article-title":"Fibres as functional foods and the effects on gut hormones: The example of \u03b2-glucans in a single arm pilot study","volume":"47","author":"Baldassano","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Funct. Foods"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"10","DOI":"10.1002\/humu.21390","article-title":"Molybdenum cofactor deficiency: Mutations in GPHN, MOCS1, and MOCS2","volume":"32","author":"Reiss","year":"2011","journal-title":"Hum. Mutat."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"164","DOI":"10.1177\/2156587211406732","article-title":"Molybdenum Nutriture in Humans","volume":"16","author":"Novotny","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Evid.-Based Complement. Altern. Med."},{"key":"ref_26","unstructured":"Otten, J., Hellwig, J., and Meyers, L. (2007). Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements, National Academies Press."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"223","DOI":"10.1016\/j.yrtph.2016.03.004","article-title":"Biomonitoring Equivalents for molybdenum","volume":"77","author":"Hays","year":"2016","journal-title":"Regul Toxicol Pharm."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Baldassano, S., Polizzi, M.R., Sabatino, L., Caldarella, R., Macaluso, A., Alongi, A., Caldara, G.F., Ferrantelli, V., and Vasto, S. (2022). A New Potential Dietary Approach to Supply Micronutrients to Physically Active People through Consumption of Biofortified Vegetables. Nutrients, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu14142971"},{"key":"ref_29","first-page":"1351","article-title":"Impact on Glucose Homeostasis: Is Food Biofortified with Molybdenum a Workable Solution?","volume":"14","author":"Vasto","year":"2022","journal-title":"A Two-Arm Study. Nutrients"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Vasto, S., Amato, A., Proia, P., and Baldassano, S. (2022). Is the Secret in the Gut? SuperJump Activity Improves Bone Remodeling and Glucose Homeostasis by GLP-1 and GIP Peptides in Eumenorrheic Women. Biology, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/biology11020296"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Amato, A., Proia, P., Caldara, G.F., Alongi, A., Ferrantelli, V., and Baldassano, S. (2021). Analysis of Body Perception, Preworkout Meal Habits and Bone Resorption in Child Gymnasts. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18042184"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"75","DOI":"10.3389\/fendo.2019.00075","article-title":"Gut Hormones and Their Effect on Bone Metabolism. Potential Drug Therapies in Future Osteoporosis Treatment","volume":"10","author":"Schiellerup","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"426","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2022.871638","article-title":"Biofortification: Effect of Iodine Fortified Food in the Healthy Population, Double-Arm Nutritional Study","volume":"9","author":"Baldassano","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1011","DOI":"10.5114\/biolsport.2022.108993","article-title":"Dare to Jump: The Effect of New High Impact Activity SuperJump on Bone Remodeling. A New Tool to Be Fit During COVID-19 Home Confinement","volume":"39","author":"Vasto","year":"2022","journal-title":"Biol. Sport"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"233","DOI":"10.1007\/s00223-005-0071-2","article-title":"Beneficial effect of copper supplementation on deposition of fluoride in bone in fluoride- and molybdenum-fed rabbits","volume":"77","author":"Khandare","year":"2005","journal-title":"Calcif. Tissue Int."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"EFSA (2013). Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for molybdenum. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). EFSA J., 11, 3333.","DOI":"10.2903\/j.efsa.2013.3333"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"924","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/85.3.924","article-title":"Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements edited by JJ Otten, JP Hellwig, and LD Meyers, 2006, 560 pages, hardcover, $44.96. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC","volume":"85","author":"Medeiros","year":"2007","journal-title":"Am. J. Clin. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liu, N., Guan, Y., Li, B., and Yao, S. (2021). Biomonitorization of concentrations of 28 elements in serum and urine among workers exposed to indium compounds. PLoS ONE, 16.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0246943"},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1093\/jn\/137.1.37","article-title":"Molybdenum intake influences molybdenum kinetics in men","volume":"137","author":"Novotny","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"182","DOI":"10.1016\/j.freeradbiomed.2022.02.022","article-title":"Mineral requirements for mitochondrial function: A connection to redox balance and cellular differentiation","volume":"182","author":"Killilea","year":"2022","journal-title":"Free Radic. Biol. Med."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"694","DOI":"10.1038\/nrc886","article-title":"Are vitamin and mineral deficiencies a major cancer risk?","volume":"2","author":"Ames","year":"2002","journal-title":"Nat. Rev. Cancer"},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1232s","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/81.5.1232","article-title":"Osteoporosis: The role of micronutrients","volume":"81","author":"Nieves","year":"2005","journal-title":"Am. J. Clin. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Martiniakova, M., Babikova, M., Mondockova, V., Blahova, J., Kovacova, V., and Omelka, R. (2022). The Role of Macronutrients, Micronutrients and Flavonoid Polyphenols in the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis. Nutrients, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu14030523"},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"561","DOI":"10.1002\/cphy.c140071","article-title":"PTH and Vitamin D","volume":"6","author":"Khundmiri","year":"2016","journal-title":"Compr. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"492","DOI":"10.3389\/fendo.2019.00492","article-title":"Increased Body Weight and Fat Mass After Subchronic GIP Receptor Antagonist, but Not GLP-2 Receptor Antagonist, Administration in Rats","volume":"10","author":"Baldassano","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wang, F.S., Wu, R.W., Chen, Y.S., Ko, J.Y., Jahr, H., and Lian, W.S. (2021). Biophysical Modulation of the Mitochondrial Metabolism and Redox in Bone Homeostasis and Osteoporosis: How Biophysics Converts into Bioenergetics. Antioxidants, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/antiox10091394"},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11643","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-020-68566-2","article-title":"Mitochondrial dysfunction impairs osteogenesis, increases osteoclast activity, and accelerates age related bone loss","volume":"10","author":"Dobson","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."}],"container-title":["Nutrients"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/15\/4\/1022\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T18:40:10Z","timestamp":1760121610000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/15\/4\/1022"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2023,2,17]]},"references-count":47,"journal-issue":{"issue":"4","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,2]]}},"alternative-id":["nu15041022"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/nu15041022","relation":{},"ISSN":["2072-6643"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2072-6643","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2023,2,17]]}}}