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Abstract

H.-G. Classen, W. Vierling, L. Spätling, A. Weigert, K. Kisters and D.-H. Liebscher

Abstract

V. Zaichick¹, S. Ermidou-Pollet² and S. Pollet²

¹Medical Radiological Research Centre, Obninsk, Russia, ²Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
Cross-disciplinary approach to the role of chemical elements in human health and disease is the scope of this new field of knowledge called “Medical Elementology”. This scientific discipline studies the physiological and pathological effects of changes in the level of chemical elements in human organisms and aims at the progress in knowledge about new methods of early detection of risk factors connected with higher or lower amount of elements in human body. Medical elementology research depends very much on the use of appropriate, simple, fast, precise, accurate and highly sensitive analytical methods. The continuing improvement of new physical methods has very much increased the possibilities for quantitative studies of chemical elements in biological systems. More and more interdisciplinary work is necessary to better understand the complicated field of chemical elements in biology as well as their reciprocal interdependence. We have to hope that the 21st century will be the century of the medical elementology.Correspondence to:
Prof. S. Ermidou-Pollet
Attalou 26, Neo Voutza
19009 Nea Makri, Athens, Greece
Email: sermid@med.uoa.gr

Abstract

G. Ozelci Kavas¹, P. Aribal Kocaturk¹, D. Tuncel², N. Aydin² and S. Sarikaya²

¹Department of Pathophysiology, ²Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of oxidative stress on red cell SOD and catalase activities, plasma and red cell copper, zinc, and magnesium concentrations in patients with ALS. Material: 25 patients, average age 51 years, were selected for this study. 10 healthy adults, average age 45 years, were included as control group to this study. Method: Red cell SOD activity was determined spectrophotometrically. Plasma and red cell copper, zinc and magnesium concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Red cell SOD and catalase activities were found to be increased in patient group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). There were increases in red cell zinc and plasma magnesium concentrations (p < 0.05, p < 0.05) and a decrease in red cell copper concentration (p < 0.05) which were statistically significant, when compared to control group. Conclusions: The results of this study suggested that during neurodegenerative syndrome, ALS, a significant increase in SOD and catalase activities as well as related alterations in red cell copper and zinc concentrations were developed. Correspondence to:
P. Aribal Kocaturk, MD, PhD
Fizyopatoloji Bilim Dali
Morfoloji Binasi
Ankara Üniversitesi Tip Fakültesi
Sihhiye 06100, Ankara, Turkey
Email: kocaturk@medicine.ankara.edu.tr

Abstract

R.L. Bang¹,², A.A. Al-Bader³, H. Al-Sayer¹, H.M. Dashti¹ and A.B. Mattappallil¹

¹Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, ²Al-Babtain Center for Plastic Surgery and Burns, ³Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Objective: Burn injury causes tissue catabolism and increases nutrients requirements. This study was carried out to assess the role of serum zinc level on wound healing. Material and methods: The study included 80 animals fed either on normal zinc diet (n = 20, Group A), supplemented zinc diet (n = 20, Group B) or depleted zinc diet (n = 20, Group C) following burn, in addition to a control group fed on normal zinc content without burn (n = 20, Group D). The serum values of zinc, copper and zinc/copper ratio were analyzed for pre-burn and control groups and up to 56 days post-burn period. Results: The pre-burn zinc level (1,471 ± 107 µg/l) in Group B decreased (1,345 ± 88 to 1,384 ± 64 µg/l) for up to 3 weeks post-burn. It, however, significantly increased from the 4th week onward (1,489 ± 56 to 1,558 ± 67 µg/l) (p < 0.05). The pre burn zinc level of Group A (1,374 ± 68 µg/l) was persistently low during post-burn period (1,048 ± 88 to 1,325 ± 104 µg/l). The pre-burn zinc values of Group C (1,334 ± 76 µg/l) remained significantly low (p < 0.05) (990 ± 65 to 1,215 ± 95 µg/l) in post-burn period. The zinc level in the control Group D remained more or less unaltered. The serum copper remained significantly (p < 0.05) elevated throughout the study period in Groups B and C, whereas it was significantly (p < 0.05) elevated for up to 4 weeks post-burn in Group A. This shows that zinc and copper levels compete with each other in an inverse proportion for up to 4 weeks post-burn, but then they recover. The Cu/Zn ratio was significantly high (p < 0.05) in all Groups when compared to pre- and post-burn periods. The rate of wound healing assessed by photographs and wound size showed that healing was significantly faster (p < 0.05) in Group B (51 days) when compared to Group A (55 days) and Group C (64 days). Conclusion: The study revealed that zinc supplementation is beneficial for early wound healing. Hence, supplemented zinc diet is recommended in burn management.Correspondence to:
Prof. Dr. R.L. Bang
Department of Surgery
Faculty of Medicine
Kuwait University
P.O. Box 24923
Safat 13110, Kuwait
Email: bang@hsc.edu.kw

Abstract

B. Aydemir, A.R. Kiziler and M.C. Akyolcu

Department of Biophysics, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
Introduction and purpose: Lithium (Li+) is the lightest of alkali metals. Both lithium carbonate and lithium citrate are currently in therapeutic use in patients that suffer from mental diseases. In practice, serum lithium concentration level is screened to check out if patients really take the necessary dose determined by a physician. In very special circumstances, from time to time forensic medicine needs to know the lithium concentration in serum that is drawn from a dead body. But samples usually contain whole-blood components (hemolyzed, clot etc.), therefore, measurement is done in mixture of blood components instead of desired serum values. This study is designed to get an idea about the optimum measurements and results in such conditions. Materials and methods: Blood samples were drawn from 30 long-term patients (15 male, 15 female) under lithium therapy. Each sample was divided into four tubes to obtain serum, plasma, erythrocyte and whole blood. Lithium concentration of each sample was measured in atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Values obtained from measurements were compared according to SPSS version 11.5 1-way ANOVA. Results and conclusion: When the mean lithium concentrations of blood fractions and whole blood were determined, the highest lithium concentration belonged to the serum which was followed by plasma, whole blood and erythrocyte. The difference between fractions of blood and whole blood except plasma and serum from lithium concentration was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). As a result of this study, it can be concluded that while trying to draw serum samples from a dead body, the sampling procedure should be performed in the appropriate region of big vessel. If it is not possible to obtain serum, it is necessary to prepare the sample standards belonging to fractions of blood and hemolyzed whole blood. Correspondence to:
B. Aydemir, PhD
Cobancesme Mah
Valide Sok No 23/3, Yenibosna Bahcelievler
34197-Istanbul, Turkey
Email: birsenay2001@yahoo.com

Abstract

M. Torra, G. Casals, C. Cervera and R. Deulofeu

Servei de Bioquímica i Gènetica Molecular, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
In this study, we have evaluated the selenium status of 224 healthy subjects and 129 patients with different stages of chronic renal failure, all residing in Barcelona, Northeast Spain. Samples were analyzed by means of a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. Zeeman background correction and Ni/Mg modifier were used to provide a consistent analysis in terms of accuracy and precision. Compared to the literature data, serum selenium concentration of this healthy population is at the intermediate concentration range (74.0 ± 11.2 mg/l). Significant differences were detected between male and female subjects (p < 0.001). A statistically significant drop was observed in chronic renal failure patients compared to age-matched controls. In the end stage, patients’ selenium concentrations were lower than 30% as compared with healthy subjects (51.2 ± 9.7 mg/l), p < 0.001.Correspondence to:
Dr. M. Torra
Servei de Bioquímica i Genetica Molecular
Hospital Clinic de Barcelona
Faculty of Medicine
University of Barcelona
C/Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
Email: mtorra@clinic.ub.es

Abstract

B. Butkiene¹, D. Mieliauskaite¹, P. Serapinas², V. Aninkevicius³, V. Juzikiene³, S. Stropuviene¹ and D. Zabulyte⁴

¹Institute of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, ²Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy, Vilnius University, ³Semiconductor Physics Institute, ⁴Institute of Hygiene, Vilnius, Lithuania
Blood oxidant/antioxidant status and the concentration of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se) were studied for their associations with antioxidant protection in 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in a 10 healthy controls group. The oxidant/antioxidant status was evaluated by measuring the level of representative prooxidants malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). MDA concentration in serum was determined spectrophotometrically by the thiobarbituric acid reaction. SOD and GSH-Px were determined using Ransod and Ransel kits (Randox Laboratories Ltd., Crumlin, UK) following the manufacturer’s instructions. The inductively coupled plasma double-focusing sector field mass spectrometer Element2 (Thermo Finnigan, Bremen, Germany) was used for the measurements of Cu, Zn, Mn and Se concentrations in serum. Patients with RA were grouped into three groups according to disease activity (Groups I, II, III). MDA levels found to be elevated in all patients groups compared to the control group but were not statistically significant. Patients with RA have lower SOD activity than the control subjects and especially the patients with minimal disease activity (p < 0.000). However, GSH-Px activity was found to be increased in patients with RA of Groups II and III (accordingly p < 0.035 and p < 0.043) compared with the healthy control group. The patients with RA had significantly higher levels of Cu and Zn in serum compared with healthy control group. The level of Mn in serum of RA patients with minimal activity was increased, too (p < 0.003). Se level was found diminished in the group of patients with very active and severe RA (p <0.01) as compared to the healthy control group. There was no significant correlation between antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px activities and trace elements level in RA patients as well as in healthy control groups. The data obtained suggests that the oxidative stress occurs in RA because of disturbance of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems.Correspondence to:
Dr. B. Butkiene
Institute of Experimental and Clinical Medicine at Vilnius University
Zygimantu 9
Vilnius, Lithuania
Email: birute.butkiene@ekmi.vu.lt

Abstract

I. Al-Saleh, G. Billedo and N. Shinwari

Biological and Medical Research Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Malondialdehyde (MDA) is one of the most frequently used indicators of lipid peroxidation. The present study measured MDA levels in the serum samples from 512 Saudi children and 743 adults in order to assess the oxidative stress status and its relationship with factors such as age, gender and current health problems. This study was part of a large cross sectional project where the status of selenium, dl-a-tocopherol and all-trans-retinol concentrations were also measured. This has also explored the opportunity to look at the relationship between the levels of selenium, dl-a-tocopherol and all-trans-retinol in serum and oxidative stress. MDA in serum was quantified after derivatization by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detector. The assay was linear over the range of 0.5 to 20.0 nmol/ml. The accuracy of the method demonstrated by analytical recoveries of spiked MDA to serum samples ranges from 96.7% to 99.3%. The mean MDA values measured in children and adults were 1.592 ± 0.988 nmol/ml and 2.101 ± 1.248 nmol/ml respectively. Significant variation in the MDA levels according to age and gender was seen among the adult group. We found that MDA did not correlate with serum selenium but was inversely associated with dl-a-tocopherol and all-trans retinol of both children and adult populations, confirming their roles in reducing oxidative stress. Our results suggest that increased MDA levels in serum might be evidence of oxidative stress which may play a role in the pathogenesis of many health conditions. More epidemiologic and clinical research is needed to clarify this issue.Correspondence to:
Dr. I. Al-Saleh (MBC#03)
Biological and Medical Research Department
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre
P.O. Box 3354
Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
Email: iman@kfshrc.edu.sa

Abstract

P. Aribal Kocatürk and G. Özelci Kavas

Department of Pathophysiology School of Medicine, Ankara University, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on Cu-Zn/SOD, catalase enzyme activities and copper and zinc concentrations in diabetes induced rats. Material: Control (n = 10) and experimental groups (n = 15, n = 15) were constituted of male Sprague-Dawley rats, 10 – 12 weeks of age, weighing approximately 300 g. In the first experimental group diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (55 mg/kg, ip) and in the second experimental group resveratrol (0.5 ml/d) was administered during 10 days, after streptozotocin induction. Method: Systolic arterial blood pressures and heart rates were recorded daily. At the end of the 10th day blood samples of control and experimental groups were drawn. Total nitrite, nitrite, nitrate, malondialdehyde, copper, zinc concentrations in plasma, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and copper, zinc concentrations in red cell were determined in both groups. Results: Results showed alterations in oxidative and nitrosative stress markers, trace element concentrations and circulatory system parameters in experimental groups. Conclusions: Results were suggested that resveratrol administration has affected some parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

*This study was presented at “The 5th International Congress of Pathophysiology (ISP2006)”, June 28 – July 1, 2006, Beijing, ChinCorrespondence to:
P. Aribal Kocatürk, MD, PhD
Fizyopatoloji Bilim Dali, Morfoloji Binasi
Ankara Üniversitesi Tip Fakültesi
Sihhiye 06100, Ankara, Turkey
Email: kocaturk@medicine.ankara.edu.tr

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Volume 24, No. 2/2007(2nd Quarter)