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Abstract

A. Wróbel¹,³, E. Rokita²,³ and M. Karwala-Szytula²

¹Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, ²Department of Biophysics, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, ³Regional Laboratory of Physicochemical Analyses and Structure Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
The aim of the present study was to determine an influence of low frequency magnetic field (LFMF) with characteristics used in clinical practice (frequency: 15 Hz, 40 Hz, 70 Hz; intensity: 1 mT) on elemental composition of bone and soft tissue (muscle). Electromagnetic field-induced changes were investigated by measuring elemental concentrations of bones and muscle in rats at 10-day intervals after birth (i.e. on Day 10, 20 and 30 of rats’ life). In all bone and muscle samples, concentrations of 10 elements: Mg, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn and Sr were determined by X-ray fluorescence method. The results showed that the magnetic field hampered the bone mineralization process in frequency-dependent manner. LFMF decreased concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and strontium. Magnetic field also influenced Cl concentration. The influence of LFMF on other elements (Mg, K, Fe, Cu and Zn) was observed only on the 10th day which indicates that LFMF affected regulatory mechanisms at an early stage of bone growth. Sulfur was the only element that remained unaffected by LFMF in bone samples. Elemental concentration of soft tissue (muscles) was not affected by LFMF.Correspondence to:
A. Wróbel
Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University
Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Email: ufawrobe@cyf-kr.edu.pl

Abstract

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

¹Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, ²Al-Babtain Center for Plastic Surgery and Burns and ³Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Objective: To assess the serum level of zinc, selenium, manganese and magnesium following burn, and the effect of zinc altered diet in wound healing. Material and methods: The serum level of zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn) and magnesium (Mg) in 80 animals (rabbits) fed on variable zinc diet either with burn or without burn from Day 0 up to 8 weeks were studied. The study included 20 animals in each group either on normal zinc diet (Group A), supplemented zinc diet (Group B), depleted zinc diet (Group C) and without burn but with normal zinc diet (Group D). The selenium, manganese and magnesium diet remained constant during control, pre-burn and post-burn period in all the groups. The serum values of Zn, Se, Mn and Mg for pre-burn, control groups and up to 56 days post-burn period were analyzed. Results: The pre-burn zinc was 1,374 ± 68 mg/l in Group A and 1,334 ± 76 mg/l in Group C, respectively, and remained significantly low during post-burn period (p < 0.05). The pre-burn zinc level in Group B was 1,471 ± 107 mg/l and it decreased (1,345 ± 88 – 1,384 ± 64 mg/l) for up to 3 weeks post burn, but then onward significantly increased (1,489 ± 56 – 1,558 ± 67 mg/l) (p < 0.05). The serum selenium in Group A was found to be low up to 5 weeks post burn as compared to pre-burn level of 191.5 ± 6.3 mg/l, but increased (p < 0.05) from 6 weeks onward. In Group B the serum selenium was low (p < 0.05) throughout the post-burn period as compared to pre-burn level of 188.75 ± 3.14 mg/l. In Group C, the pre-burn selenium level was 191.2 ± 6.3 mg/l, and it increased from 2 weeks post burn (p < 0.05). The significant decrease of serum manganese was only observed in Group C (p < 0.05) during post-burn period, while in rest of the groups it remained unchanged. The serum magnesium level decreased up to 5 weeks post burn (p < 0.05) in all 3 Groups A, B, C, but remained uneffected in Group D. The rate of wound healing was faster (p < 0.05) in Group B (51 days) when compared to Group A (55 days) and Group C (64 days) in the altered zinc diet. Conclusion: The serum levels of zinc, selenium, manganese and magnesium in various groups pre and post burn showed significant alteration if only zinc content of the diet is modified. Zinc supplementation favors burn wound healing. The study should be extended by modifying the selenium, manganese and magnesium diet in burn wound healing.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

S. Vladeva¹, P. Gatseva² and M. Argirova³

¹Clinic of Endocrinology, ²Department of Hygiene and Ecomedicine, ³Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Objective: Diabetes mellitus is a serious endocrinological disease. Its influence is unfavorable on the function of other endocrinological glands in the organism, such as gl. thyroidea. There are a few studies on thyroid function and urinary iodine excretion in DM patients and their results are contradictory. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the iodine nutrition in patients with DM Type 1 and Type 2. Material and method: Objects of study were 24 patients with diabetes Type 1 (11 men and 13 women) aged between 23 and 73 years, and 26 patients with diabetes Type 2 (12 men and 14 women), aged between 42 – 74 years. Urinary iodine concentration was determined in morning urine by the Sandel-Kolthhoff reaction. Results: The majority of diabetic patients had urinary iodine in the range of 100 – 200 mg/l, which is a good indicator of optimal iodine intake. A considerable part of the patients with diabetes Type 1 had iodine deficiency, and more than 30% of the diabetics Type 2 had iodine excess. Conclusion: This report shows that the patients with diabetes are a risk group for thyroid disorders. Further studies are required and, therefore, it seems reasonable to frequently control the thyroid function in patients with diabetes.Correspondence to:
Dr. P. Gatseva
Department of Hygiene and Ecomedicine
Medical University
15a Vassil Aprilov Street, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Email: gatseva_p@mail.bg

Abstract

Y. Dogan¹, N. Durkan² and S. Baslar¹

¹Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Education, Buca-Izmir, and ²Pamukkale University, Faculty of Education, Denizli, Turkey
Background: Pinus brutia Ten (Turkish red pine) is a widespread evergreen tree in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions of Turkey. Methods: The barks of red pine were tested as a possible biomonitor of trace element pollution studied in the Western Anatolian part of Turkey. Samples collected from control, industry, roadside, suburban and rural areas from 30 locations in the study area were investigated. The concentration of cadmium, lead, chromium, iron, nickel and copper were determined in the bark of the red pine by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: As results of this study, the following concentrations were determined: Cd: 0.60 – 0.71 µg g–1, Pb: 4.59 – 20.03 µg g–1, Cr: 0.44 – 3.17 µg g–1, Fe: 486.35 – 1274.04 µg g–1, Ni: 3.56 – 18.87 µg g–1 and Cu: 3.52 – 15.30 µg g–1. Conclusion: The results of this study imply that barks of P. brutia can be a useful biomonitor for the determining heavy metal pollution in an area.Correspondence to:
Y. Dogan
Dokuz Eylul University
Faculty of Education
35150, Buca-Izmir, Turkey
Email: yunus.dogan@deu.edu.tr

Abstract

S.F. Bao, L. Zhao, Z. Li, T. Cong, Z.X. Zheng, G.T. Cheng and H.M. Zou

Trace Element Research Laboratory, Department of Nutrition,Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China
Objective: Dietary copper intake levels of residents living in Beijing were measured with two different methods. Subjects and method: The multistage stratified random process was used. In total, the survey tracked 503 subjects from 189 families distributed in 12 communities of 6 districts in Beijing. 2 investigation methods were used: weighing dietary record and duplicated diet. Results: According to Method 1, median of dietary Cu intake is 1.80 mg/d. The lowest value is 0.68 mg/d, the highest is 5.84 mg/d. 331 subjects (65.8%) had Cu intake lower than 2 mg/d. Cu density in diet is 0.94 mg/1,000 kcal from calculated values both from Methods 1 and 2. In Method 2, the measured value for duplicated samples is lower than the calculated value. The median of dietary Cu intake is 0.90 mg/d, the lowest Cu intake is 0.26 mg/d, while the highest is 4.15 mg/d. According to the result from measurement, 401 (97%) of duplicated diets provided less than 2 mg/d of Cu. Cu density is 0.57 mg/1,000 kcal. Conclusions: Residents in Beijing have no problem of excess Cu intake using either the calculated or measured results from the two methods.Correspondence to:
Prof. S.F. Bao
Trace Element Research Laboratory
Chinese General Hospital of PLA
28 Fuxing Road 100853, P.R. China
Email: baoshanfen@yahoo.com.cn

Abstract

K. Wink

Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology of the University Freiburg, Germany
In spite of the great advances in the reduction of the mortality of high-risk infants, there has been no progress in reducing the prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP). A fundamental problem in efforts to prevent CP is a limited understanding of its causation. The ACTOMgSO4 Study is a multicenter, randomized trial accessing whether administration of magnesium sulfate to women at risk of preterm birth would reduce CP among very preterm infants. A total of 1,062 women at less than 30-week gestation who were expected to deliver within 24 hours were randomized either MgSO4 (1 g/h for 24 h) or placebo. The investigators found a 17% reduction in the 3 primary outcomes: total pediatry mortality (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.64 – 1.09), CP in survivors (RR 0.83. 95% CI 0.66 – 1.03), and 2 secondary outcomes: gross motor dysfunction (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.29 – 0.91) and combined death or gross motor dysfunction (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.06 – 0.96). Neonatal morbidity, including intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia was not reduced. No serious adverse effects were observed. The results of the well-conducted trial are encouraging, but the authors commend confirmation in other large trials before the routine prenatal use of magnesium sulfate as a neuroprotective agent for preterm infants.Correspondence to:
Prof. Dr. med. K. Wink
Victor-Kretz-Straße 11/13
77723 Gengenbach, Germany
Email: KWink@t-online.de

Abstract

Z.I. Khan¹, A. Hussain², M. Ashraf² and S. Ermidou-Pollet³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sargodha, Pakistan ²Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad,Pakistan, ³Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School,University of Athens, Greece
This study has been conducted in a sheep farm of the “Livestock Experimental Station” located in the Southwestern Punjab. The purpose of this research was to investigate, as a function of the seasons and the sampling periods, the transfer of Fe from soil and forages to sheep grazing in this semiarid region in order to evaluate if the Fe requirement of the grazing livestock was met or if Fe deficiency occurred. The final goal was to maximize the production of animals by adopting, if necessary, an adequate and balanced Fe supplementation. A complete free-choice supplement was available to all animals throughout the year. Soil, forage, water and feed samples as well as blood, urine, milk and feces from lactating/non-lactating and male grazing animals have been taken fortnightly, 4 times during summer and 4 times during winter. Fe concentrations of the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Extractable soils Fe concentrations during both seasons were above the normal range for the growth of plants, and forage Fe levels were sufficient for the requirements of ruminants. Seasons and sampling periods had significant effects on soil, forage, water and feed Fe concentrations. The plasma Fe level was within the normal range in all classes of animals during both seasons. In the lactating sheep, plasma Fe level was significantly influenced by the seasons, being higher in winter than in summer, while fecal and milk Fe levels were not affected. In non-lactating sheep, the mean plasma and fecal Fe concentrations did not vary significantly with the seasons and the sampling intervals. In male sheep, no seasonal or sampling periods effect on plasma Fe concentration, but a significant seasonal effect on the mean fecal Fe concentration could be observed. Relationships between the soils, forage and plasma Fe levels and the seasons and period of sampling have been discussed. From these results it has been concluded that the Fe requirement of the grazing livestock was met and no Fe deficiency occurred. Correspondence to:
Prof. S. Ermidou-Pollet
Attalou 26, 19005 Neo-Voutza, Nea Makri, Greece
Email: sermid@med.uoa.gr

Abstract

K. Kisters¹, E.R. Krefting², B. Gremmler³, M. Cziborra¹, M. Hausberg⁴ and F. Tokmak⁵

¹Medical Clinic I, St. Anna Hospital Herne, ²Medical Physics, University of Münster, ³Medical Clinic, Marienhospital Bottrop, ⁴AKTE Bielefeld and ⁵Nephrology, Marienhospital Herne, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
Background: Alterations in the metabolism of calcium and sodium have been implicated in the pathogenesis of primary hypertension. Calcium influx across the external cellular membrane in smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes plays a crucial role in the control of cellular excitation contraction and impulse propagation. Intracellular calcium and sodium concentrations are controlled by reversible binding to specific calcium binding proteins. The calcium and sodium flux across the external membrane is regulated by a calcium pump (calcium-magnesium ATPase), calcium channels, magnesium sodium antiport and binding to the membrane. Material and methods: In this context, in aortic smooth muscle cells from 7 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) of the Münster strain (systolic blood pressure 182.4 ± 6.8 mmHg) and 7 normotensive rats (WKY, systolic blood pressure 116.5 ± 5.3 mmHg) aged 1 – 2 months, the intracellular calcium and sodium contents were measured under nearly in vivo conditions by electron-probe microanalysis. Measurements were performed in aortic cryosections 3 mm thick. Results: The calcium content was 0.39 ± 0.13 g/kg dry weight in SHR versus 0.21 ± 0.12 g/kg dry weight in WKY (means ± SD, p < 0.05), the sodium content was 8.92 ± 0.75 in SHR versus 6.74 ± 0.71 g/kg dry weight in WKY (p < 0.05). Aortic smooth muscle cells from young SHR are characterized by markedly elevated intracellular calcium and sodium contents as compared with normotensive cells. Cellular calcium and sodium handling is disturbed in SHR aortic smooth muscle cells as it is in hypertensive blood cells. Conclusion: The increased calcium and sodium concentrations are a pathogenetic factor for the development of arteriosclerosis and hypertension.Correspondence to:
Prof. Dr. K. Kisters
Medizinische Klinik I, St. Anna-Hospital
Hospital-Straße 19, 44649 Herne, Germany
Email: kisters@annahospital.de

Abstract

Y.G. Zorbas¹, V.A. Deogenov¹, V.J. Kakuris² and V.L. Yerullis²

¹European Foundation of Environmental Sciences, and ²Institute of Occupational Physiology, Athens, Greece
Measuring calcium (Ca2+) absorption, Ca2+ balance, serum, urinary and fecal Ca2+ levels, the aim of this work was to show if periodic hypokinesia (PHK) or continuous hypokinesia (CHK) could depress significantly more Ca2+ deposition leading to Ca2+ losses and thus Ca2+ imbalance. Studies were conducted during 30-day pre-hypokinesia (HK) and during 364-day PHK and CHK. Thirty male healthy volunteers 23.2 ± 5.0 years of age were chosen as subjects. They were equally divided into 3 groups: unrestricted active control subjects (UACS), continuously hypokinetic subjects (CHKS) and periodically hypokinetic subjects (PHKS). UACS were running average distances of 4.7 ± 1.2 km.day–1 for 364 days. CHKS were limited to average walking distances of 0.5 ± 0.2 km.day–1 for 364 days, while PHKS were limited to average walking distances of 0.5 ± 0.2 km.day–1 and running distances of 4.7 ± 1.2 km.day–1 for 5 days and 2 days/week for 364 days, respectively. Subjects consumed daily 15 mmol calcium lactate/kg body weight. Ca2+ absorption, fecal Ca2+ excretion, urinary Ca2+ and phosphate (P) excretion, serum Ca2+, P and ionized calcium (CaI) levels, Ca2+ balance and serum 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D(1,25(OH)2D3) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels did not change in UACS compared with their pre-HK values. Conversely, Ca2+ absorption, serum 1,25(OH)2D3 and iPTH levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with time, while Ca2+ imbalance, fecal Ca2+ loss, urinary Ca2+ and P losses and serum Ca2+, CaI and P levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) with time in CHKS and PHKS compared with their pre-HK values and their active controls (UACS). However, Ca2+ absorption, serum 1,25(OH)2D3 and iPTH levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) more with time, and Ca2+ imbalance, fecal Ca2+ excretion, urinary Ca2+ and P excretion and serum Ca2+, CaI and P levels increased significant (p < 0.05) more with time in PHKS than CHKS. Dissociation between Ca2+ excretion and Ca2+ imbalance showed decreased Ca2+ deposition as the mechanism for Ca2+ depletion during PHK and CHK. The lower Ca2+ absorption with higher Ca2+ imbalance in PHKS than CHKS showed that Ca2+ deposition decreased more during PHK than CHK. It was concluded that the higher the instability of muscular activity, the lower Ca2+ deposition and the higher Ca2+ losses and the greater Ca2+ imbalance.Correspondence to:
Dr. V.A. Deogenov
European Foundation of Environmental Sciences
Odos Kerasundos 2-4, 162 32 Athens, Greece

Abstract

C.T. Wang¹, K.C. Huang² and W.T. Chang³

¹Department of Holistic Education Center, St. John’s University, Taipei, ²Department of Pharmacy, Ta Jen University of Technology, Pingtung, ³Department of Forensic Science, Central Police University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
Blackfoot disease (BFD) is a chronic peripheral vascular disorder disease affecting the arteries of the lower limbs. It is endemic in certain parts of southwestern Taiwan and has been linked to arsenic contamination of artesian well water. This study was designed to compare the blood concentrations of copper, zinc and (Cu/Zn) in residents of BFD hyperendemic villages including BFD patients (n = 123), non-BFD (n = 39) residents of hyperendemic villages and nonendemic villages healthy controls (n = 49) by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Higher blood concentration of copper and higher ratio of (Cu/Zn), but lower concentration of zinc were found in BFD residents of hyperendemic villages. Conversely, lower blood concentration of copper and lower ratio of (Cu/Zn), but higher blood concentration of zinc were found in non-BFD residents of hyperendemic villages and in nonendemic villages healthy controls. On the basis of this evidence, a higher ratio of (Cu/Zn), higher concentration of copper and lower concentration of zinc in blood seems to be closely related to BFD. Therefore, this finding could be used for prescreening of highest risk BFD populations in BFD hyperendemic villages and also act as a secondary prevention of BFD.Correspondence to:
Dr. C.T. Wang
1F, No. 1, Alley 61, Lane 114, Section 7
Chung Shan North Road, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
Email: wang6860@mail.sju.edu.tw

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Volume 24, No. 3/2007(3rd Quarter)