Volume 26, No. 2/2009(2nd Quarter)
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 Trace Elements and Electrolytes
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Editorial
Original
Membrane, intracellular, plasma and urinary sodium and potassium in occupational lead exposure: effects of Vitamin C supplementation
Abstract
B.S. Okediran1, E. Abam1, O.O. Odukoya2, I. Adamson1 and O. Ademuyiwa1
1Department of Biochemistry and 2Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
In order to test the efficacy of ascorbic acid against lead poisoning and its modifying effects on the metabolism of some essential elements, various artisans in Abeokuta, Nigeria, who have been shown to be occupationally exposed to lead, were given a supplement of 500 mg ascorbic acid daily for 2 weeks. The activity of Na+-K+-ATPase, as well as membrane, intracellular, plasma and urine sodium and potassium were determined in the artisans before and after ascorbic acid supplementation. Na+-K+-ATPase was inhibited to varying extents in the artisans. The lowest activities (44 and 45% of control, respectively) were observed in vulcanizers and male petrol station attendants. A significant (p < 0.001) negative correlation was observed between Na+-K+-ATPase activity and blood lead levels on the one hand (r = –0.558) and between Na+-K+-ATPase activity and urine lead levels on the other hand (r = –0.623). Lead exposure also induced hyponatremia in the artisans. The hyponatremia was more pronounced in the vulcanizers than in other artisans. The 2-week vitamin C supplementation reversed all these toxic effects of lead. It also resulted in reduced blood lead levels and increased urinary excretion of lead. Our findings suggest that there may be some scope in introducing ascorbic acid in human medicine as an intervention strategy for the prevention and therapy of lead intoxication, especially in cases where the subjects cannot be removed from the source of lead exposure.Correspondence to:
Dr. O. Ademuyiwa; Department of Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Email: adelad2@yahoo.com
Original
The influence of deferiprone on aluminum and essential elements levels in tissues and serum in aluminum-loaded rats
Abstract
P. Liu, J.H. Zhuo, H.Y. Li and H.J. Zhao
Department of Chemistry and Microbacteria Detection, College of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
The aim of this study was to explore the effect of the aluminum-chelating agent 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one (deferiprone (DFP)) on Al mobilization and elimination from serum and tissues as well as its influence on the content of the essential elements, zinc, copper, iron, calcium and magnesium in aluminum-loaded rats. 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups and treated with saline, Al, Al + lower, moderate, higher DFP and prophylaxis group. The Al concentration in serum, brain, liver, kidney, spleen and epididymis was analyzed by graphite atomic absorption spectrophotometry. At the same time, Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca and Mg in the above-mentioned tissues were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results demonstrated that DFP could effectively mobilize Al stores from the tissues and increase aluminum excreted. The concentration of Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca and Mg in tissues was not affected by deferiprone administration.Correspondence to:
Prof. L. Ping; Department of Chemistry and Microbacteria Detection, College of Public Health, West part of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China 250012
Email: liupingp@sdu.edu.cn
Original
Investigation of combined effect of chromium (VI) and sodium fluoride in experiments on rats
Abstract
D. Zabulyte1, S. Uleckiene2, V. Drebickas3, V. Semaska3 and I. Jonauskiene1
1Institute of Immunology, 2Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University and 3Pedagogical University, Vilnius, Lithuania
Chromium [Cr (VI)] is an environmental pollutant and industrial contaminant. Non-occupational sources of exposure to chromium include food, air and water, but the levels are usually lower than those typically encountered in occupational situations. The widespread distribution of sodium fluoride (NaF) in the environment through drinking water and food often results in adverse health effects. Human beings are constantly exposed to mixture of these substances. Aim of the study: To investigate the combined effect of Cr (VI) and NaF on the organism of Wistar rats at the oral route of administration. Material and methods: Tests on general toxicity were conducted on the basis of methodical recommendation 408 of the Organization For Economic Co-operation and Development Guideline For Testing of Chemicals: “Subchronic Oral Toxicity – Rodent: 90-day Study” [OECD Guideline 1993]. The experiments have been carried out on 32 male Wistar rats. The effects of tested substances were characterized by antagonistic, synergistic, additive and unknown type of combined action of them. Results: According to the blood biochemical indices the following combined effect of tested chemicals was determined: antagonistic, additive and unknown. According to the tested parameters of the rats reproductive system the combined action type of substances was mostly antagonistic. The same effect was observed during the analysis of hematological parameters.Correspondence to:
Dr. D. Zabulyte; Institute of Immunology, Moletu plentas 29, 08409 Vilnius, Lithuania
Email: zdanguole@imi.lt
Original
Concentrations of magnesium, calcium, iron, selenium, zinc and copper in the hair of autistic children
Abstract
A. Lubkowska1 and W. Sobieraj2
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences of Szczecin University, Szczecin, and 2Medical consultant, Trace Element Laboratory, Lódz, Poland
Autism is a neurodevelopment disorder, involving a wide variety of sociobehavioral, linguistic and perceptuomotor abnormalities. Some studies report a decrease of nutritional trace elements in the hair of autistic children compared with healthy controls; moreover, bioelements have been shown to play an important role in the central nervous system. Therefore the purpose of this study was to examine whether the levels of magnesium, calcium, iron, selenium, zinc and copper in the hair of autistic children significantly differed from the levels observed in healthy peers. The participants of the study were 56 children (10 girls and 46 boys) with the autistic spectrum disorder or childhood-onset pervasive disorder (autistic-like) and 48 healthy children (21 girls and 26 boys), aged 4.8 ± 2.4 years. In all these children, the concentrations of mentioned bioelements were measured using ICP (inductively coupled plasma). We observed significantly lower levels of iron (9.02 ± 4.62 µg/g) and a higher level of selenium (0.33 ± 0.18 µg/g) in the hair of autistic children compared to the healthy age-matched subjects. The lowest concentrations of iron were observed in autistic boys, which was statistically significantly different from autistic girls and healthy boys, (p £ 0.01). Autistic girls were observed to have a lower concentration of magnesium and copper compared to healthy girls, which had the highest concentrations of these elements. No differences in calcium and zinc concentrations were observed among the groups. Although it is difficult to confirm explicitly the influence of disrupted metabolism of elements as a factor in autism etiopathogenesis, it seems necessary to control the supply and the content of basic elements in autistic patients.Correspondence to:
Dr. A. Lubkowska; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences of Szczecin University, al. Piastów 40b,71-065 Szczecin, Poland
Email: annalubkowska@tlen.pl
Original
Postoperative serum and whole blood selenium levels in patients with squamous cell and adenocarcinomas of the uterus after curative surgical treatment
Abstract
R. Muecke1,8, J. Buentzel2,8, M. Glatzel3,8, F. Bruns4,8, K. Kisters5,8, F.J. Prott1, H. Schmidberger6 and O. Micke7,8
1Department of Radiotherapy, St. Josefs-Hospital, Wiesbaden, 2Department of Otolaryngology, Municipal Hospital Nordhausen, 3Department of Radiotherapy, Municipal Hospital Suhl, 4Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Hannover Medical School, 5Clinic for Internal Medicine, St. Anna Hospital Herne, 6Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiation Therapy, University Mainz, 7Department of Radiotherapy, Franziskus Hospital Bielefeld, Germany and 8German Working Group Trace Elements and Electrolytes in Oncology
Background: The aim of this prospective study was to investigate levels of serum and whole blood selenium in patients with squamous cell and adenocarcinomas of the uterus after curative surgical treatment before radiation therapy (RT). Material and methods: Levels of serum and whole blood selenium were measured in patients before adjuvant RT after curative surgical resection of a pelvic gynecologic tumor. Blood selenium levels were measured using automated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. For the comparison of selenium levels, we used the recommended normal ranges of 65 – 135 µg/l for the serum, and 85 – 162 µg/l for the whole blood. For processing and statistical analysis of all data, the SPSS/PC Software package, version 15.0 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA), was used. Results: Between 2001 and 2007, 126 patients (median age: 66 years) with uterine squamous cell (n = 17) or adenocarcinomas (n = 109) after curative surgical treatment were included. In 105/126 patients (83.3%), serum and whole blood selenium deficiency was found. The mean value of measured serum selenium levels was 62.9 ± 18.3 µg/l, and the mean value of measured whole blood selenium levels was 68.9 ± 18.6 µg/l. Mean levels of selenium were found to be significantly decreased in all patients in comparison to the recommended normal value for serum selenium (p < 0,001) and whole blood selenium (p < 0.001). There is no significant correlation between tumor-stage according to Federation Internationale de Gynecologie et d’Obstetrique (FIGO) and serum selenium (r = 0.09, p = 0.46), and whole blood selenium (r = -0.008, p = 0.94). Conclusion: This data revealed a quantitative decrease of nonenzymatic antioxidative capacities. The possibility of supplementation of selenium to compensate a selenium deficiency as soon as possible to improve quality of life during radiation therapy and reduce radiation-associated side effects should be proven in prospective randomized trials.Correspondence to:
Dr. O. Micke, PD; Klinik für Strahlentherapie und Radioonkologie, Franziskus Hospital, Kiskerstraße 26, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
Email: strahlenklinik@web.de
Original
Manganese, chromium and the oxidation status in bladder cancer
Abstract
H. Mazdak1, N. Mirkheshti2, A. Movahedian3, F. Yazdekhasti2 and M. Shafian2
1Department of Urology, Alzahra Hozpital, 2Isfahan Medical Students Research Committee and 3Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Introduction: It seems that chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) by the mechanism of affecting the oxidative status in cells can play an important role in cancer induction. This motivated the authors to study the serum concentration of Mn, Cr, malondialdehyde (MDA) as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as an antioxidant marker, in patients with bladder cancer compared with healthy participants. Methods and materials: This is a case control study conducted on 52 patients with bladder cancer and 58 healthy volunteers after controlled for age, sex and smoking. After overnight fasting blood samples were collected. The serum concentration of Cr, Mn, MDA and TAC were determined for all participants. Comparisons made using Student’s t-test. Results: Serum concentration of MDA (p value < 0.001) and Cr concentration (p value < 0.05) were significantly increased in patients with bladder cancer. There was a significant decrease in serum concentration of Mn (p value < 0.001) and TAC (p value < 0.001) of patients in comparison with healthy participants. Discussion: Regarding the findings of the study, we propose that a diet rich in Mn and low in Cr and also controlling and lowering the ambient standard for Cr in the environment, may have some more protective role in preventing cancers especially bladder cancer. However further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.Correspondence to:
N. Mirkheshti, MD; East Sage Investigative Corporation, Isfahan Science & Technology Town. No. 5, Ghezelbash Street, Tohid Avenue, Isfahan, Iran
Email: nooshinmirkheshti@gmail.com
Original
An attempt to quantify the influence of some IC parameters upon the levels of ionized Mg in blood
Abstract
W. Desch1, W. Schappacher1, G. Schappacher1, R. Wintersteiger6, M. Ecker5, U. Köhler2, G. Korisek4 and S. Porta2,3
1Institute of Mathematics and scientific computing, Karl Franzens University, Graz, 2Institute of Applied Stress Research, Bad Radkersburg, 3Institute of Pathophysiology, Medical University, Graz, 4Rehabilitation Clinique of the AUVA, Tobelbad, 5Institute of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Graz, and 6Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Karl Franzens University, Graz, Austria
In large samples of probands simultaneous determinations of ionized magnesium and other quick-changing blood parameters like base excess, pH, pCO2, Ca, a.s.o. showed highly significant single as well as multiple linear correlations. From the occurrence of single correlations with Mg++ and each of the parameters mentioned above, we deduce a predictable alteration of Mg++ values along stress induced changes of those variables. Thus, Mg++ fluctuations hitherto presumed to be erratic, became explicable and quantifiable. Multiple regressions, on the other hand, may additionally pave the way towards a more precise assessment of the Mg state by Mg++ determination simultaneously with several interdependent metabolic parameters. Further development of such a holistic determination system may well be used as an easier and more precise assessment of individual Mg reserves (Mg state) by comparison of possible differences between calculated and determined Mg++ values.Correspondence to:
S. Porta, PhD; Institute of Pathophysiology, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Heinrichstraße 31a, 8010 Graz, Austria
Email: stresscenter@netway.at
Original
Update on regulations of aluminium intake – biochemical and toxicological assessment
Abstract
U. Schäfer and G. Jahreis
Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Institute of Nutrition, Department of Nutritional Physiology, Jena, Germany
For aluminium (Al), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently established a Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) of 1 mg Al/kg bw/week due to its neurotoxicity, embryotoxicity and adverse effects on the development of the nervous system. The TWI took the place of the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) of 0 – 7 mg Al/kg bw/week issued by FAO/WHO in 1989. The considerable reduction in the TWI for Al intake means a conflicting situation because a significant part of the European population exceeds the TWI value. Al absorption is a complex network of biochemical reactions which are influenced by several parameters and can vary up to 50-fold, depending on the chemical form of Al only. Al absorption is increased by low pH, high solubility of Al species, organic acids and their salts, a low Fe status and uremia, whereas it is decreased by phosphates or phosphate-rich compounds and silicates. The presence of citrate increases Al absorption also from Al compounds with low solubility. This outcome is very important regarding the fact that the human diet contains considerable amounts of citric acid which is reported to average 4 g (as citrate) in the daily diet. Elevated exposure of Al may produce accumulation of systemic Al and cause toxicity of the respiratory, central nervous, skeletal and hematopoietic systems. In this way, Al may induce lung fibrosis, the dialysis encephalopathy syndrome, a low bone turnover osteodystrophy and an erythropoietin-resistant microcytic anaemia. Due to the new regulation of the EFSA for reduced Al intake it is suggested to reconsider the allowance and use of Al-containing food additives being a main Al source in some foods. Furthermore, the contamination of Al in Ca compounds used as fortifiers in infant foods should be reduced to the lowest possible limit because infants are particularly susceptible to Al.Correspondence to:
Dr. U. Schäfer; Institute of Nutrition, Department of Nutritional Physiology, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Dornburger Straße 24, 07743 Jena, Germany
Email: ulrich.schaefer@uni-jena.de
Letter to the Editor
Dietary value and toxicological potential of macroalgae products
Abstract
U. Schäfer, C. Dawczynski, M. Leiterer, R. Schubert and G. Jahreis
