Volume 20, No. 2/2003(2nd Quarter)
|
 Trace Elements and Electrolytes
The online-version will be updated before the print-version of this Journal is published. Upon request we will send the password and user name by e-mail. The online-service is only available for subscribers of the print-version, if proof of purchase is submitted.
The use of the online-version will be charged with an extra fee (additional to the subscription of the print-version).
The service can be used until December 31st of the year of subscription.
|
| Full Issue Price: 50.00$ |
 |
Originals
The combined effects of the chelating agent deferiprone, ascorbic acid and mesna on urinary aluminum excretion in rabbits
L. Ping, C. Xi, W. Shide, L. Ying, W. Shue and Z. Yanlin
Abstract
L. Ping1, C. Xi1, W. Shide2, L. Ying3, W. Shue1 and Z. Yanlin1
1Institute of Health Analysis, School of Public Health, Shandong University, 2Institute of Shandong Biological Medicine, and 3Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, P.R. China
The effect of 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one[deferiprone(DE)] alone or in combination with ascorbic acid (Vc) or sodium-2-mercaptoethane sulfate (mesna) on urinary aluminum excretion in rabbits was studied. Thirty New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to 5 groups: control, Al-only, DE, DE+Vc, DE+mesna. Except for the controls, the animals received injections of Al2(SO4)3×18H2O 600 mmol Al/kg 5 days per week for 2 weeks. The chelator test began 2 weeks later. The agents mentioned above were given intragastrically after 3 hours of saline infusion. Urine was collected for the next 6 hours and the aluminum concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Our results show that deferiprone could significantly increase urinary aluminum excretion (p < 0.001). DE+Vc and DE+mesna were found to have comparable potency, but the aluminum excretion peak time was changed. Deferiprone might be a highly effective oral chelator for acute and subchronic aluminum toxication without obvious toxicity. It may have potential as an alternative to desferrioxamine in the prevention or treatment of aluminum accumulation and aluminum toxicity.
Originals
Selenium status of inhabitants of region Jablonec, Czech Republic
J. Kvicala, V. Zamrazil and V. Jiranek
Abstract
J. Kvicala1, V. Zamrazil1 and V. Jiranek2
1Institute of Endocrinology, and 2DataPro, Praha, Czech Republic
To investigate Se status of inhabitants in the region of Jablonec nad Nisou, 319 blood sera and 26 men’s hair samples were analyzed by neutron activation analysis (NAA) and 635 urine were analyzed by fluorimetry. Quality assurance of both analytical methods was checked by co-analyses of standard reference materials. Results were statistically evaluated and graphically presented as well as compared with the previous results from other regions of the CR. Region Jablonec seems to be one of the best regions in the CR from the point of Se status but, all analyzed Se indexes (mean serum Se 63.9 ± 14.2 mg/l; mean urine Se 18.5 ± 7.9 mg/l; mean urine Se/creatinine 14.8 ± 7.2 mg/g for population of both genders from 6 to 65 years and mean hair Se 0.309 ± 0.055 mg/g dry hair for men between 18 and 49 years) prove Se deficiency in this region of the Czech Republic.
Originals
Effects of lead on mice protein synthesis in vivo and in vitro
S. Simonyte, I. Sadauskiene, R. Stapulionis, and L. Ivanov
Abstract
S. Simonyte1, I. Sadauskiene1, R. Stapulionis1,2 and L. Ivanov1,2
1Institute for Biomedical Research, Kaunas University of Medicine, and 2Department of Biochemistry, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania
Objective: To evaluate effects of lead ions on the general protein synthesis in mouse organs in vivo and in liver cell-free translation system. Methods: Experiments were done on white laboratory mice using i.p. injections of appropriate amounts of lead acetate solution. Protein synthesis was evaluated by the incorporation of 14C-labeled leucine into newly synthesized proteins. Liver cell-free translation system was made on the basis of post-mitochondrial supernatant. Results: Even a sublethal concentration of lead ions (0.5 LD50) was not capable to yield major protein synthesis inhibition in mouse liver, kidneys, skeletal muscle and heart 24 h after the experimental intoxication. Further increase of lead ions up to 0.75 LD50 significantly decreased protein synthesis in these organs (except the liver). However, we found that at earlier stages of intoxication (within initial 8 h), strong perturbations of protein synthesis occur in mouse organs; 0.5 LD50 lead caused a significant stimulation of translation in liver and kidneys, which reached 202% in liver at 8th h and 175% in kidneys at 2nd h. Protein synthesis in skeletal muscle was both stimulated by 43% at 2nd h and suppressed by 36% at 8th h. Lead ions did not cause any severe fluctuations in the heart translation intensity; 48 h after the experimental intoxication protein synthesis in studied organs was as in norm. Data of experiments in vitro showed that lead ions at concentration up to 50 mM activate translation in liver cell-free protein-synthesizing system. This concentration is approximately 10-fold lower than that one needed to obtain stimulatory effect in vivo. Conclusions: Lead ions induce significant fluctuations of protein synthesis activity at the early stages of intoxication in vivo, which tend to become normalized with time. Lead at low concentration is capable to stimulate protein synthesis both in vivo and in vitro.
Originals
Influence of short-term supplementation of various quantities of organically bound selenium upon serum and urine selenium concentration
J. Kvicala, V. Zamrazil, J. Nemecek and V. Jiranek
Abstract
J. Kvicala1, V. Zamrazil1, J. Nemecek1 and V. Jiranek2
1Institute of Endocrinology, and 2DataPro, Praha, Czech Republic
To assess satisfactory supplemental load of selenium for persons with very low Se status, serum Se by neutron activation analysis and urine Se by fluorimetry have been followed in 3 groups of participants of the supplemental test. Supplementation was performed with 100 or 50 µg Se/day or with placebo after determination of basic Se status, which was very low (48 µg Se/l serum, 10 µg Se/l urine, urine excretion 11.7 µg Se/day, 16.9 µg Se/g creatinine). Basic Se intake calculated on the grounds of analyses of the whole day-whole week diet of the boarding home was about 30 µg Se/day. Serum Se of both supplemented groups increased continuously and significantly to 115 µg Se/l (100 µg Se/day) or 86 µg Se/l (50 µg Se/day). The placebo group was without significant changes. As for urine, the group supplemented by 100 µg Se/day presented continuous significant increase in urine excretion to 26 µg Se/day while the group supplemented by 50 µg Se/day reached maximum of 20 µg Se/day in 12 days with subsequent decrease to 18 µg Se/day in 41st day of the test. In conclusion, supplement of 50 µg Se/day (in the opposite to supplement 100 µg Se/day) seems insufficient to cover both increase in blood Se content and repletion of tissue Se, and additionally to increase urine Se excretion in very Se-depleted organism in the first stages of the supplementation.
Originals
Assessment of the content of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the daily food rations of adults in the Wielkopolska region of Poland
D. Smigiel-Papinska, R.W. Wójciak, J. Przyslawski and J. Gawecki
Abstract
D. Smigiel-Papinska1, R.W. Wójciak1, J. Przyslawski2 and J. Gawecki1
Department of Food Hygiene and Human Nutrition, August Cieszkowski Agricultural University of Poznan, Poland
The aim of this study was to assess the calcium, phosphorus and magnesium contents in daily food rations of adults in the Wielkopolska region of Poland. We examined the nutritional value of 50 diets, reconstructed in laboratory conditions based on the nutritional habits of men and women working in public and private sector. The content of calcium and magnesium in food rations samples were analyzed by flame atomic spectrometry absorption, the phosphorus content was determined by colorimetric analysis. Although, the mean calcium content in men’s daily food rations was compared to reference values, the women’s diets had the lower level of this element. The mean content of phosphorus in daily food rations was above the RDA, especially in men’s diets. The mean magnesium content in diets of analyzed groups covered 80 – 90% of RDA, and was lower in diets of private sector workers than in diets of public sector workers and did not depend on the gender of workers. The interrelations between calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in analyzed reconstructed daily food rations were not correct and potentially may unfavorably influence the distributions of these metals in human organism.
Originals
Monitoring of lead, zinc, cadmium, nickel, chromium and copper in street dust samples in Adapazari, Turkey, after earthquake
M.S. Dundar and M.F. Pala
Abstract
M.S. Dundar and M.F. Pala
Sakarya University, Fen-Edeb. Fakültesi, Kimya Bölümü, Mithatpasa-Adapazari, Turkey
The present paper reports the data on heavy metal pollution in dust samples collected in the centre of an Adapazari city after 1999 earthquake. In this study, the city was divided into 8 sampling sites including the control site and the trace element contents of 80 street dust samples collected throughout Adapazari city after earthquake, August 17, 1999. The control sample was collected from non-affected areas of Adapazari. Dust samples have been analyzed for trace elements of Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr and Cu by using the flame-atomic absorption spectrophotometric method after digestion with aqua regia. Results showed that the highest mean values measured for Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr and Cu in street dust samples are 25.9, 205.1, 0.7, 40.2, 10.2 and 14.2 mg g–1, respectively, compared with the control values. Dust levels were observed to increase in Adapazari city centre because of the reconstruction of streets, sewage and water systems, demolishing of damaged buildings, etc. It was also observed that elemental loadings typically decreased during the rainy sampling dates due to the leaching by rain.
Originals
The intake and consumption pattern of selected minerals in daily food rations taken by budgetary and non-budgetary workers in Poland
J. Przyslawski and M. Schlegel-Zawadzka
Abstract
J. Przyslawski1 and M. Schlegel-Zawadzka2
1Chair and Department of Bromatology and Human Nutrition, K. Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, 2Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Public Health, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
Using 24-hour recall method, the food intake and consumption pattern of selected minerals in daily food rations (DFRs) of budgetary and non-budgetary women and men were assessed. The study demonstrated that the intake of Mg ranged from 260 ± 95.3 mg to 330 ± 110 mg (DFRs of women vs. DFRs of men). Differences were found in the level of intake of Zn (9.89 ± 3.77 mg in DFRs of women and 14.2 ± 4.41 mg in DFRs of men) and Cu 1.14 ± 0.465 mg (women), 1.50 ± 0.604 mg (men). The degree of realization of the recommended daily dietary allowances had values of 86% to 89% (Mg), of 76% to 88% (Zn) and of 45.6% to 60% (Cu). The differences in the Zn and Cu intake between budgetary and non-budgetary men were statistically significant (p < 0.00001 and p < 0.0230). Analysis of consumption patterns of Mg, Zn and Cu has shown that the major sources of the minerals analyzed were cereals, vegetables and fruits, meat and products, milk and products (excluding Cu) and potatoes (excluding Zn).
Originals
Elements in autopsy liver tissue samples from Greenlandic Inuit and Danes. IV. Copper measured by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry
N. Milman, J. Laursen, K.-E. Byg, H.S. Pedersen
Abstract
N. Milman1, J. Laursen2, K.-E. Byg1, H.S. Pedersen3,
1Department of Medicine B, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2Department of Mathematics and Physics, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark, and 3Center of Primary Health Care, Nuuk, Greenland
Objective: To measure the content of copper (Cu) in liver tissue samples from Greenlandic Inuit and compare the results with those obtained in Caucasian Danes. Materials and methods: Normal liver tissue samples were obtained at autopsy from 50 Inuit (27 men, 23 women) with a median age of 61 years (range 23 – 83) and from 74 Danes (44 men, 30 women) with a median age of 60 years (range 15 – 87). Total liver copper content was measured by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Results: The content of copper given as median and 5 – 95 percentile was in Inuit 0.2982 mmol/kg dry liver (0.1810 – 0.6531), and in Danes 0.3777 mmol/kg dry liver (0.1889 – 0.7550) (p = 0.02). This difference was due to a higher median liver copper content in Danish men compared with Danish women (p = 0.04), Inuit men (p = 0.005) and Inuit women (p = 0.05), and was based solely on the 3 highest liver copper values in Danish men. Inuit displayed no gender difference concerning liver copper content. There was no correlation between liver copper content and age either in Inuit or in Danes. In Inuit, the median hepatic copper index (liver copper content divided by age) was 0.0045 in men and 0.0066 in women (p = 0.14). There was an inverse correlation between hepatic copper index and age in the entire Inuit series (rs = –0.63, p < 0.0001). In Danes, the median hepatic copper index was 0.0082 in men and 0.0046 in women (p = 0.005). There was an inverse correlation between hepatic copper index and age in the entire Danish series (rs = –0.76, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: There is no evidence to suggest that the prevalence of copper deficiency or copper overload in adults differ in Inuit and Danes. Inuit have a hepatic copper content, which is similar to that found in Caucasian Danes and other populations from the Western societies.
Originals
Contribution of medicinal plants to the daily intake of various toxic elements in Catalonia, Spain
G. Falcó, J. Gómez-Catalán, J.M. Llobet, and J.L. Domingo
Abstract
G. Falcó1, J. Gómez-Catalán1, J.M. Llobet1,2 and J.L. Domingo2
1Toxicology Unit, School of Pharmacy, Department of Public Health, University of Barcelona, Spain, and 2Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, “Rovira i Virgili” University, Reus, Spain
Objective: To determine the levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) in a number of samples of the most consumed species of medicinal plants in Catalonia, Spain. To calculate the daily intake of these elements and to assess potential health risks. Materials and methods: A total of 115 samples of 15 different species were analyzed. The concentrations of As, Cd, Hg and Pb were determined by ICP-MS. In all samples, Hg levels were under the detection limit. Daily intakes of As, Cd and Pb were calculated assuming a consumption of 2 herbal teas of 2 g per day (4 g/day). Results: The median and range intakes (mg/day) through medicinal plants consumption were the following: As 0.56 (0.36 – 303.8), Cd 0.2 (0.16 – 6.84) and Pb 2.72 (0.12 – 39.44). For the population of Catalonia, the contribution of medicinal plants to the As, Cd and Pb daily intake was found to be about 0.2%, 1% and 5%, respectively, of the total dietary intake. Health risk assessment of these elements was based on their dietary intakes together with daily intake through medicinal plants. Conclusion: According to the FAO/WHO provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), the above quantities of As, Cd and Pb should not mean potential toxic effects derived from the consumption of medicinal plants. However, due to the high variability of the current data, a systematic control might be advisable.
Originals
Homeostatic response of Zn metabolism to dietary Zn supplements from sulfate, gluconate, orotate, aspartate or histidine in 65Zn labeled non-growing rats as a model to adult individuals
W. Windisch, A. Vikari and C. Hilz
Abstract
W. Windisch, A. Vikari and C. Hilz
9
The objective of the study was the long-term reaction of Zn homeostasis on dietary Zn supplies from gluconate, orotate, aspartate and histidine under condition of a sufficient Zn supply. Method: Thirty female rats were homogenously labeled with 65Zn according to the alimentary technique with a semisynthetic diet containing Na phytate (8 g/kg) and 50 ppm Zn from ZnSO4. At a mean body weight of 224 g the animals were allotted to 6 groups (n = 5) and were fed restrictively (7.9 g/d) for 14 days 6 diets with either unchanged composition (control) or with an extra addition of 50 ppm Zn from sulfate, gluconate, orotate, aspartate or histidine. Results: The extra additions of dietary Zn were completely compensated by increased fecal Zn excretions irrespective of the Zn source, while urinary Zn and retention of Zn remained constant among all animal groups. Absorption of dietary Zn and fecal excretion of endogenous Zn was increased in all extra Zn groups without being altered by the type of Zn source. Concentrations and amounts of Zn in various organs, tissues and whole body were affected neither by quantity nor by type of dietary Zn. The rate of Zn exchange in tissues and whole body increased due to extra Zn additions irrespective of the type of Zn source. Conclusions: Dietary Zn from sulfate, gluconate, orotate, aspartate and histidine is physiologically equivalent as soon as the metabolic requirement of Zn is met. Possible differences in bioavailability are covered completely by counter regulation of Zn homeostasis.
Originals
Leptin association with erythrocyte sodium content in obesity-related hypertension
S.G. Barroso, V. Genelhu de Abreu, A.F. Sanjuliani
Abstract
S.G. Barroso1, V. Genelhu de Abreu1, A.F. Sanjuliani1,
1Hypertension Clinic, and 2Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathophysiology, CLINEX, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Insulin resistance is frequently associated with obesity-related hypertension. Leptin resistance and increased plasma leptin levels are frequent companions in this association. To examine whether in obesity hypertension with insulin resistance, plus hyperleptinemia, the sodium content of erythrocyte (Naie) reflects a positive sodium balance related to the physiological loss of leptin in sodium reabsorption, we studied a group of obese hypertensive patients, and a group of lean normotensive subjects. In obese hypertensives, fasting glucose, insulin and the insulin resistance index were higher as compared to the lean individuals (107.0 ± 4.1 mg/dl, 10.2 ± 1.4 mU/ml and 2.94 ± 0.52, respectively, vs 98.7 ± 4.1 mg/dl, 7.22 ± 1.33 U/ml, and 1.79 ± 0.16, respectively, p < 0.002). Both the leptin/BMI2 index as well as the Naie were significantly higher in the obese hypertensive group as compared to control group (1.9 ± 0.21 vs 1.25 ± 0.27, respectively p < 0.01, and 12.5 ± 0.51 vs 10.7 ± 0.5 mEq/ml/cell, respectively p < 0.05). In obese hypertensives the leptin/BMI2 index was significantly associated with DBP (r = 0.41, p < 0.04), MBP (r = 0.44, p < 0.03), Naie (r = 0.41, p < 0.05) and age (r = 0.43, p = 0.03). We conclude that in obese hypertensive patients Naie is increased reflecting a state of positive sodium balance. In these patients, the elevated circulating leptin concentrations were one of the main regulators of the content of sodium in erythrocytes.
