Concomitant oral intake of purified clinoptilolite tuff (G-PUR) reduces enteral lead uptake in healthy humans

Lead exposure can cause substantial organ damage. Enteral lead absorption may be reduced by concomitant intake of clinoptilolite tuff, a zeolite from natural sources. This study aimed to assess the effect of purified clinoptilolite tuff (G-PUR) on enteral lead uptake in adults using stable lead isotope (204)Pb as a tracer. In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study, 42 healthy participants were randomized to receive oral G-PUR 2.0 g, 2 * 2.0 g, or placebo, together with 2.5 µg of (204)Pb in water. The enrichment of (204)Pb caused by the tracer in blood and urine was measured by mass spectrometry. G-PUR was well tolerated. The mean maximum (204)Pb enrichment of 0.505% of total blood lead was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in the placebo group compared to G-PUR 2.0 g (0.073%) or G-PUR 2 * 2.0 g (0.057%) group. Normalized (204)Pb AUC(0-192) was 86.5, 11.9, and 8.5% * h without and with G-PUR 2.0 g, and G-PUR 2 * 2.0 g, respectively (p < 0.0001 vs. placebo). This smaller (204)Pb exposure was paralleled by a reduced urinary excretion in subjects receiving G-PUR. Concomitant oral intake of purified clinoptilolite tuff reduced enteral uptake of (204)Pb in healthy humans by approximately 90%. The reduced bioavailability is demonstrable by a decrease of (204)Pb tracer enrichment in blood and urine. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04138693, registered 24/10/2019.