Volume 20, No. 4/2003(4th Quarter)
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 Trace Elements and Electrolytes
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Letter to the Editor
Fluvastatin therapy and endothelium-dependent brachial artery vasodilation and electrolytes in patients after kidney transplantation (a 3-years follow-up)
K. Kisters, M. Kosch, F. Tokmak and M. Hausberg
Abstract
K. Kisters, M. Kosch, F. Tokmak and M. Hausberg
Originals
Magnesium, selenium, zinc, copper and CD4 count in HIV1- and 2-positive Nigerians attending prepregnancy class at Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy Centre of Lagos University
G.O. Ajayi, and S.A. Omilabu
Abstract
G.O. Ajayi1,3 and S.A. Omilabu2,3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology, and 3Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy Centre, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idiaraba, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria
We investigated in Nigerian HIV-positive patients attending prepregnancy class at Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy Centre of the University of Lagos, Lagos, whether their trace element status (Mg++, Se++, Zn++, Cu++) is associated with the degree of development of HIV infection using CD4/ CD8 lymphocyte count. This was done by measuring the trace elements magnesium, selenium, zinc, copper using atomic absorption spectrophotometer, CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte count using ELISA in HIV-confirmed positive patients and normal healthy patients. A total of n = 1,035 male and female patients were screened for HIV1 and 2 and 45 patients were confirmed positive (4.35%). They were divided into 4 groups according to CD4 lymphocyte count. Plasma magnesium decreased significantly in all the groups and there was a correlation between magnesium and CD4 lymphocyte count. Plasma selenium decreased significantly in all the groups and a correlation between selenium and CD4 lymphocyte count was found. Plasma zinc also showed statistically significant reduction in all the groups and there was a correlation between zinc and CD4 lymphocyte count. Plasma copper was only lower in groups 1 and 2 when compared to control. Our results show that trace element deficiency like that of magnesium, selenium and zinc is present in HIV-confirmed positive Nigerian patients and correlates with CD4 lymphocyte count reduction. Early replacement of these trace elements would be helpful. The result of copper suggest that copper, which is an acute phase reactant, may be a useful marker of HIV activity and progression to AIDS as in other chronic infective diseases.
Originals
Study on relation between fibrinolytic activity and different dose lithium applications
S. Toplan, D. Ozcelik and M.C. Akyolcu
Abstract
S. Toplan, D. Ozcelik and M.C. Akyolcu
Istanbul University Cerrahpasa, Medical Faculty, Department of Biophysics, Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
Introduction and purpose: Lithium is an element that has been widely used in therapy of mental diseases. In different studies it has been shown that it interacts with enzymes and alters the function of proteins in organisms. On the other hand fibrinogen is one of the plasma proteins that can interact with euglobulin which is the tissue plasminogen activator indicator. Present study was planned to assess the effect of lithium on alteration of function of proteins that play a role in the fibrinolytic system in blood. Materials and methods: Control group of rats was fed a normal diet whereas pharmacological and toxic groups received 0.4 mmolLi/kg/day and 6.6 mmolLi/ kg/day for 2 weeks, respectively. Blood samples were drawn from animals and fibrinolytic activity was measured by Coppley method, which is based on the euglobulin lysis time (ELT). Fibrinogen concentration determinations were performed by Ratnoff and Menzie method. Results and conclusion: After evaluation of fibrinolytic activity rates that belong to both groups, it has been observed that lithium altered the activities of proteins that are responsible for fibrinolysis. Fibrinogen concentrations of both experimental groups were found to be lower than that of control group values (p < 0,05 in pharmacological group, p < 0.001 in the toxic group). On the other hand ELT values in the toxic dose lithium administered group was significantly shortened than control group values (p < 0.001).
Originals
Accumulation of toxic elements in liver and bile in hyperlipidemy
A. Blázovics, K. Szentmihályi, E. Rapavi, E. Fehér
Abstract
A. Blázovics1,2, K. Szentmihályi2, E. Rapavi1, E. Fehér3
1II. Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 2Chemical Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and 3II. Department of Anatomy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Heavy metal accumulation in higher concentration may inhibit enzyme activities, modify metabolic pathways, influence acute-phase protein synthesis and gene expression. The presence of Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn and Ni can modulate the function of tumor suppressor protein p53. DNA repair system is a sensitive target for Ni and Cr ions, consequently, the risk of tumor formation may increase. Therefore, we were interested in whether the concentration of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni and Cr elements in liver and bile in alimentary induced fatty liver would show any alteration compared to the controls in rats. Male Wistar rats were fed with fat-rich diet (2% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid (CA) or deoxycholic acid (DCA) and 20% sunflower oil added to the basal diet) for 12 days. Ten rats were kept on normal chow, 10 rats were fed with DCA and 10 rats with CA. Histopathological examination was performed to evaluate the tissue degeneration. Element concentrations were determined with ICP-OES. Significant changes were detected in the concentrations of Fe and Ni in the liver, but no significant decrease in Zn, Cu and Mn contents in this short-term experiment. The fatty liver accumulated Cr and Ni whereas the concentration of Fe, Zn, Ni, Cr enhanced in the bile. Significant increase in the concentration of Ni and Fe, and non-significant one of Zn in the bile was measured. The correlation between concentrations of the d-field elements in the liver were modified except Zn and Mn in hyperlipidemy. Consequently, attention should be paid to the lipid-rich diet consumption, because it may involve risk for accumulation of toxic elements in the liver.
Originals
Endemic hyperdigoxinemia-related cardiovascular and endocrine mucopolysaccharidoses syndrome
R.K. Kurup and P.A. Kurup
Abstract
R.K. Kurup1 and P.A. Kurup2
1Department of Medicine, Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum, and
Objective: South India is a geoendemic zone for endomyocardial fibrosis, chronic calcific pancreatitis, multinodular goitre and mucoid vasculopathy, suggesting a common etiological factor underlying all these disorders. The study deals with the role of digoxin (endogenous/exogenous), magnesium status and glycosaminoglycan metabolism in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Methods: The following parameters were evaluated in endomyocardial fibrosis, chronic calcific pancreatitis, multinodular goitre and mucoid vasculopathy: serum digoxin, magnesium and glycosaminoglycans, tissue glycosaminoglycans, RBC membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity. Results: Elevated levels of tissue and serum glycosaminoglycans have been demonstrated in these disorders. There are also elevated levels of an endogenous membrane Na+-K+ ATPase inhibitor, digoxin as well as low serum magnesium and reduced RBC membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity in all these disorders. Low HDL cholesterol and elevated triglyceride levels characteristic of insulin resistance are seen in all these disorders. Conclusion: Membrane Na+-K+ ATPase inhibition can lead to magnesium depletion and magnesium deficiency and is associated with increased tissue glycosaminoglycan synthesis and fibrosis. Digoxin and hypomagnesemia has been associated with the insulin resistance state. Insulin resistance state and hyperinsulinism can lead to increased tissue glycosaminoglycan synthesis. This diverse spectrum of disorders may be a manifestation of hypomagnesemia- and hyperdigoxinemia-related hyperinsulinism/insulin resistance state and upregulated glycosaminoglycan synthesis.
Originals
Trace metal levels in soil samples from crossroads in Kayseri-Ankara motorway
O. Turkoglu, S. Saracoglu and M. Soylak
Abstract
O. Turkoglu1, S. Saracoglu2 and M. Soylak1
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Art and Science, and
The contents of copper, nickel, cobalt, lead, cadmium, manganese and chromium in the soil samples collected from 22 crossroads in the Kayseri city center on Kayseri-Ankara motorway were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after digestion with aqua regia. The ranges of the metal ions in the soil samples are 19.8 – 65.1 mg/g for copper, 20.8 – 95.4 mg/g for nickel, 9.8 – 20.8 mg/g for cobalt, 15.6 – 92.8 mg/g for lead, < 0.2 – 1.6 mg/g for cadmium, 149.3 – 475.8 mg/g for manganese and 4.7 – 38.2 mg/g for chromium. The levels of investigated ions were increased with the traffic level. Significant correlation data were found between investigated heavy metal concentrations of the soil samples and traffic volume.
Originals
Determination of copper, zinc and manganese in nail and serum from patients with migraine
E. Özerol, H. Ulvi, N. Ilhan, M. Güleç, A. Ilhan, N. Ilhan
Abstract
E. Özerol1, H. Ulvi2, N. Ilhan3, M. Güleç1, A. Ilhan4, N. Ilhan3
Departments of 1Biochemistry and 4Neurology, Inonu University Medical School, Malatya, 3Department of Biochemistry, Firat University Medical School, Elazig, and 2Neurology Clinics, Mus State Hospital, Mus, Turkey
Metallo-enzymes contain trace elements in their molecular structure to be metabolically active. Manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD) contains Mn and copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn SOD) contains Cu and Zn as prosthetic groups. There have been some studies on the oxidant/antioxidant status of patients with migraine. In the present study, the levels of copper, zinc and manganese in nail and serum were investigated in 53 patients with migraine and 19 healthy subjects. Copper, Zn and Mn levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and results obtained were statistically compared. The concentration of Mn in nail and serum was significantly higher in migraine patients than those of control subjects. Although Zn and Cu concentrations in nail were increased in migraine group compared to control group, the difference was not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant increase in Cu level (p < 0.02) and decrease in Zn level in serum from patients with migraine compared to those of control group. The unchanged or increased levels of trace elements, which play important roles as prosthetic groups in SOD, in both nail and serum may suggest that the antioxidant enzyme activities are not negatively affected from the changes. The results obtained are discussed in the light of the literature on the relationship between migraine and trace elements plus antioxidant systems.
Originals
The absorption of barium in fecal barium peritonitis
J. Kozianka and H. Waleczek
Abstract
J. Kozianka and H. Waleczek
Klinik für Chirurgie, Ausbildungsklinik der Privaten Universität Witten,
Background: Fecal barium peritonitis is a complication of a colon contrast enema. It is a rare form of peritonitis, but associated with high mortality. It has not yet been clarified to what extent barium is absorbed in toxicologically relevant quantities in peritonitis of this sort. An experimental study with animals was carried out to answer this question. Method: Eight pigs in all were examined; fecal barium peritonitis was induced operatively in 3 pigs, fecal peritonitis in 2 pigs and pure barium peritonitis in 2 pigs. With the help of trace element analysis with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP), the following organs of the experimental animals were analyzed for barium: brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung. Results: The highest barium concentrations were measured in animals which were given pure barium peritonitis or fecal barium peritonitis. The highest levels were in lung, liver and kidney. Statistical analysis using a block comparison, found a highly significant difference (p = 0.001) between animals which had been treated with barium and those which had only been given fecal peritonitis or were healthy. There was no significant difference between the groups with pure barium peritonitis and those with fecal peritonitis. The barium concentrations measured here are of toxicological relevance when extrapolated to the whole animal. This may explain the extremely high mortality of fecal barium peritonitis in comparison to pure fecal peritonitis.
Originals
Metallothionein gene expression in the larvae of Caenorhabditis elegans is a potential biomarker for cadmium and mercury
H. Shimada, N. Tominaga, S. Kohra, H. Ishibashi, Y. Mitsui, K. Ura and K. Arizono
Abstract
H. Shimada1, N. Tominaga2, S. Kohra3, H. Ishibashi4, Y. Mitsui5, K. Ura5 and K. Arizono5
1Faculty of Education, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 2Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Ariake National College of Technology, Omuta, 3Faculty of Environmental Studies, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 4Graduate School of Science and Techn
Previously, we reported that the induction of vitellogenin mRNA in the larvae of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) can be used as a biomarker for short-term screening of environmental endocrine disrupters. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine if the induction of metallothionein (MT) mRNA in the larvae of C. elegans would be a biomarker for short-term screening of heavy metals. The larvae were exposed to various concentrations of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), zinc chloride (Zn), cupper chloride (Cu) or lead acetate (Pb) for 3 h. Cd (1, 10 and 100 mM) and Hg (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mM) exposures resulted in the marked induction of MT-I and MT-II mRNAs in the larvae of C. elegans as measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The Cd- and Hg induction of MT-II mRNA was higher than that of MT-I mRNA, and concentration-dependent increase was observed in MT-II but not in MT-I. Time course analyses for MT-I and MT-II mRNA expressions with Cd and Hg were also determined. Cd induction of MT-I and MT-II mRNAs reached a peak at 2 h after the exposure (10 mM), and the levels of MT-II were higher than that of MT-I. For Hg, an initial peak of induction of MT-II mRNA occurred 15 min after the exposure (0.1 mM), and the levels reached maximum by 2 h. The initial peak of induction of MT-I mRNA occurred much later (~ 2 h after Hg exposure) than MT-II mRNA. These results indicated that the induction of MT-II mRNA in the larvae of C. elegans can be used as a potential biomarker for short-term exposure to Cd and Hg.
Originals
Ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde in rats after exposure to mercury
E. Hijová, F. Nistiar, E. Lovásová and A. Sipulová
Abstract
E. Hijová1, F. Nistiar2, E. Lovásová2 and A. Sipulová1
1Institute of Experimental Medicine, Medical Faculty of Safarik University, and 2Department of Pathological Physiology, Medical Faculty of Safarik University, Kosice, Slovak Republic
Mercury is one of the ubiquitous pollutants which participate in generation of reactive oxygen species leading to formation of oxidative stress. To investigate the changes in plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde, rats were exposed per os to different doses of mercury (as mercuric chloride) for 30 d. The production of ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde was related to the dosage of mercuric chloride. Within the group of rats receiving mercuric chloride in a concentration of 10 mmol/l (corresponding to the LD50 of HgCl2), the concentrations of ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde were increased by 22.19% and by 6.88% respectively, compared with the control group. The doses of mercuric chloride lower than the LD50 reduced the production of ascorbic acid and malondialdehyde statistically. These results indicate that mercury may be one of the inducers of oxidative stress in the plasma of rats, which is compensated by ascorbic acid overproduction in the liver of rats.
Originals
Skeletal status after kidney transplantation by quantitative ultrasound – a 2-year follow-up study
F. Tokmak, M. Kosch, M. Hausberg, M. Barenbrock
Abstract
F. Tokmak1, M. Kosch2, M. Hausberg2, M. Barenbrock3,
1Clinic of Medicine I, St. Anna-Hospital, Herne, 2Medical University Policlinic Münster, 3Dialysezentrum Hamm, and
Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a new and non-invasive method to assess skeletal status after kidney transplantation. We evaluated the potential use of this novel method in renal allograft recipients and studied the accuracy compared to normal controls. Thirty patients (NTP, age 47.5 ± 13.0 years) were studied 4.8 ± 3.2 years after kidney transplantation. Twenty-five healthy control persons (CON) were matched for age and sex. The left and right os calcis were studied by QUS, and speed of sound (SOS) and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) were measured. Bone stiffness (BS) was calculated from these parameter and corrected for age (CBS). Differences between right and left os calcis were compared to CON to assess the side variability (mean ± SD); BS was 75 ± 25% compared to young adults, age-corrected CBS was decreased in NTP with 86 ± 25% of normal, indicating a 2-fold increased risk of fracture. SOS was 1,525 ± 47.7 m/s, BUA was 105 ± 22 dB/MHz. Mean difference between right and left os calcis was significantly higher in NTP than in CON (7.2 ± 7.1% vs. 2.1 ± 2.1%, p < 0.01). Limits of agreement of the measurements (MW of differences ± 2 SD) according to a Bland-Altmann type statistic were 16.9% and 20.7%. There was no correlation between CBS and age, cumulative steroid dose, parathyroid hormone concentrations or time after transplantation. In addition, 19 patients (49 ± 3 years, graft function: 1.8 ± 0.2 and 2.0 ± 0.2 mg%) were investigated in a 2-year follow-up study. The measures of bone stiffness at months 0 and 24 were well correlated (r < 0.9, p < 0.001), however, bone stiffness did not change significantly with time. There was a significant correlation between bone stiffness and serum calcium values (0.49, p < 0.015). Our data show altered bone structure expressed by low bone stiffness values measured by quantitative ultrasound in kidney transplant patients. However, because of relatively high interfeet variance of QUS, we suggest measurement of both os calcis to minimize measurement error after transplantation. In addition, we conclude from the data of this follow-up study that despite continued low-dose steroid treatment (< 10 mg prednisolone/day), renal transplant recipients are not subject to accelerated osteoporosis. Bone stiffness did not significantly decrease over 2 years in the present study. However, bone stiffness baseline and 2 years later were found to be decreased compared to healthy controls, a finding that is in accordance with previous data demonstrating an increased fracture rate in allograft recipients.
Originals
Intake of lead and cadmium from edible vegetables cultivated in Tarragona Province, Spain
F. Capdevila, M. Nadal, M. Schuhmacher and J.L. Domingo
Abstract
F. Capdevila1, M. Nadal2, M. Schuhmacher2 and J.L. Domingo2
1Research Group on Food, Nutrition, Growth and Mental Health, and
Lead and cadmium concentrations were determined in 360 samples belonging to 12 different species of edible vegetables from Tarragona Province, Spain. The samples were subjected to lead and cadmium analyses by ICP-MS. Results were compared with those from 1989 (both metals) and 1994 (lead) surveys. Only onion and parsley showed increases in lead levels during the period 1989 – 2001, while pronounced decreases were observed in the remaining species. In turn, in all species cadmium levels were markedly lower than the concentrations found in the 1989 survey. The average lead and cadmium contents found in edible vegetables from Tarragona Province have been 0.073 and 0.010 mg/g, respectively. These values are of the same order of magnitude than recent levels reported for other countries. According to data of the current study, contribution of edible vegetables to the total daily intake of lead and cadmium would be 14.6 and 2.02 mg, respectively.
Originals
Distribution and absorption of the microcrystalline cisplatin in mice by oral administration
X. Cui, L.J. Liu, P. Liu and J. Sun
Abstract
X. Cui1, L.J. Liu2, P. Liu1 and J. Sun1
1Institute of Chemistry and Microbacteria Detection, College of Public Health, West Part of Shandong University, and 2Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, West Part of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
Absorption, distribution and elimination of both microcrystalline cisplatin and routine cisplatin in mice by oral administration were studied. Concentrations of cisplatin in blood, liver, stomach and kidney of mice were determined by graphite furnace atomic spectrophotometry. After oral administration of microcrystalline cisplatin, cisplatin could reach peak concentrations in stomach, blood, kidney and liver at about 30 min. The stomach had the highest cisplatin level of all determined tissues, and remained high (> 3.42 mg/g) within a duration of 1 h. Compared with the ordinary cisplatin drug, the microcrystalline cisplatin has a higher peak concentration, indicating that microcrystalline cisplatin can be absorbed effectively. Kidney had a higher peak concentration of cisplatin at approximately 45 min than both liver and blood, and the elimination rate remained slow for 4 h. Thus, microcrystalline cisplatin would be a potential orally taken anti-gastric carcinoma drug, but its kidney toxicity should not be neglected.
