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Abstract

N. Ishihara¹, T. Akimichi² and T. Suzuki† ³

¹Tohoku Rosa Hospital, Sendai, ²National Museum of Ethonology, Osaka and ³Department of Human Ecology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan
Aim: The extent of contribution through the food chain in methylmercury accumulation in tuna (Thunnus Thynnus) will be revealed by mercury determination in the gastric contents of tuna. Materials: Specimens of gastric contents of tunas, which were caught at the Tsugaru-Channel (near Japan), were analyzed for total-and methylmercury selectively. Method: Total mercury was determined by the combustion method followed by cold atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Methylmercury was determined by gas chromatography after the extraction with benzene. Results: Six kinds of preys were identified, and Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) was most common. The relative proportion of methylmercury to total mercury in these preys varied between 13.0 and 100%. Conclusion: Notwithstanding the presence of methylation of inorganic mercury in tuna and the aquatic environment, the absorption of methylmercury in preys should be effective for the accumulation of methylmercury in tuna.Correspondence to:
N. Ishihara, MD, PhD
60-1-1405 Yamashita-cho
Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0023, Japan

Abstract

A. Scibior and H. Zaporowska

Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Environmental Protection, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of V⁵⁺ and/or Cr³⁺ on certain blood parameters in outbred albino male Wistar rats. Materials and methods: The reference group received deionized water to drink (Group I – control) for 12 weeks, whereas other experimental groups received at this time: Group II – sodium metavanadate (SMV) solution at a concentration of 0.100 mg V/ml, Group III – chromium chloride (CC) solution at a concentration of 0.004 mg Cr/ml and Group IV – SMV-CC solution at the same concentrations. Results: V alone decreased mean corpuscular volume (MCV, by 6%, p < 0.01) and increased red cell distribution width (RDW, by 8%, p < 0.05), compared to the control group, whereas Cr alone did not change significantly any of the examined hematological indices. After Cr administration to V-exposed rats, a decrease in MCV and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and an increase in RDW and neutrophil count, compared to the control (by 9.6%, p < 0.01; by 12.6%, p < 0.01; by 13.6%, p < 0.001; by 59%, p < 0.01, respectively), were observed. In the same group of animals Cu/Zn ratio was also significantly higher (by 59%), compared to V only intoxicated rats. The 2-way ANOVA indicated that the changes in the above-mentioned indices in rats co-treated with V and Cr resulted from an independent effect of V (MCV, MCH, RDW) and/or Cr (MCV, neutrophil count) as well as from their interaction (neutrophil count and Cu/Zn ratio). Conclusions: This experiment clearly demonstrated that some components of rats’ RBC system reacts otherwise after a 2-fold longer time of the administration of V alone or in combination with Cr, compared to a 6-week period. An important finding in the study is that the effect in hematological parameters was not intensified at simultaneous administration of V and Cr, and that interactions between V and Cr are involved in the changes of neutrophil count and Cu/Zn ratio at co-treatment with these two elements. Therefore, further studies should be continued to elucidate the interactions between V and Cr and their consequences for health especially taking into account people who may consume Cr³⁺ supplements and be simultaneously exposed to V occupationally and/or environmentally.Correspondence to:
Dr. A. Scibior
Department of Cell Biology
Institute of Environmental Protection
John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin
Krasnicka Ave 102
20-718 Lublin, Poland
Email: cellbiol@kul.lublin.pl

Abstract

K.K. Kakuris¹, Y.F. Federenko¹, Y.G. Zorbas¹ and V.A. Deogenov²

¹Hypokinetic Biochemistry Laboratory, Sofia, Bulgaria, ²European Foundation of Environmental Sciences, Athens, Greece
Objective: To determine the impact of vanadium (V) supplementation and hypokinesia (HK, diminished movement) on V homeostasis and V loss. Methods: Studies were conducted on 40 physically healthy male volunteers during a 30-day pre-experimental period and a 364 day experimental period. Subjects were equally divided into four groups: unsupplemented control subjects (UCS), unsupplemented experimental subjects (UES), supplemented control subjects (SCS), and supplemented experimental subjects (SES). A daily supplementation of 13 mmol vanadium sulfate (VOSO4) was given to the subjects in the SCS and SES groups. Results: The V deficiency, plasma V concentration, and V loss increased (p < 0.05) in the SES and UES groups compared to their pre-experimental levels and the values in their respective control groups (SCS and UCS). The V deficiency, plasma V concentration, and V loss increased more (p < 0.05) in the SES group than in the UES group. Conclusions: It is concluded that V deficiency is not caused by the lower V intake and V loss is not induced by the higher V content in the body. Rather it is caused by the impossibility of the body to use V during HK and V supplementation.Correspondence to:
Dr. V.A. Deogenov
European Foundation of Environmental Sciences
Odos Agias Sophias 81
162 32 Athens, Greece
Email: vdeogenov@yahoo.com

Abstract

B. Chen¹,², L.V. Lamberts¹, G.J. Behets¹, X.-H. Hou¹,², G. Liu², G.-J. Guan² and P.C. D’Haese¹

¹Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Faculties of Medicine and Biomedical and Pharmaceutical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium, and ²Department of Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, P. R. China
Objective: In a previous study we have reported a world-wide epidemiological survey on serum strontium (Sr) levels in dialysis patients in 23 countries. We showed that serum Sr levels greatly differed from country to country and roughly could be divided into 2 groups: centers with a mean serum Sr level > 100 µg/l and those with a serum Sr level < 100 µg/l. Furthermore, an association was reported between increased bone Sr concentrations and the development of osteomalacia. As the number of renal failure patients in China rapidly increases and data on Sr levels have not been reported so far, we assessed the serum Sr levels in Chinese renal failure patients. Material and methods: Serum samples of Chinese stable chronic renal failure (CRF) patients not yet on dialysis (n = 81), dialysis patients (n = 293), post-transplant patients (n = 60) and subjects with normal renal function (n = 62) were collected, as well as water and dialysate samples from 6 Chinese dialysis centers. For each patient a questionnaire with personal, clinical and dietary data was completed. In addition to Sr we also measured the aluminum and calcium content in the samples of dialysis patients. Serum Sr levels of the Chinese dialysis patients were compared to 172 serum samples taken from dialysis patients in Belgium, Portugal and Paraguay. All elements under study were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The mean serum Sr level in subjects with normal renal function was 32.4 ± 10.5 µg/l. Stable CRF patients not yet on dialysis with a creatinine clearance (CrCl) >= 50 ml/min showed a mean Sr level of 46.6 ± 14.3 µg/l (n = 25) while those with a CrCl < 50 ml/min had a concentration of 57.7 ± 23.9 µg/l (n = 56) (p < 0.01). The overall mean serum Sr level of dialysis patients was 72.1 ± 17.1 µg/l (p < 0.01 vs. CRF not yet on dialysis). The mean serum Sr level in Chinese dialysis patients was significantly higher than that noted in Belgian (34.0 ± 7.9 µg/l) and Portugese (41.5 ± 9.2 µg/l) dialysis patients. Post-transplant patients with a CrCl >= 50 ml/min showed a mean Sr level of 49.6 ± 15.5 µg/l (n = 42) versus 61.3 ± 18.1 µg/l (n = 18) (p < 0.01) in those with a CrCl < 50 ml/min. Increased serum Sr levels in Chinese patients are possibly associated with a Sr-rich diet while in the subset of dialysis patients the Sr content of the final dialysate only seems to play a minor role. Conclusions: The serum Sr level significantly increases with decreasing renal function. Data of this multicenter study demonstrates serum Sr levels to be moderately increased in dialysis patients. Serum Sr levels in Chinese dialysis patients were significantly higher than those noted in Belgium and Portugal, however, remained below the arbitrary established “high Sr” cut-off level of 100 µg/l. To which extent the increased Sr levels may have any effect on bone metabolism needs to be further investigated.Correspondence to:
P.C. D’Haese, PhD
Laboratory of Pathophysiology
Campus CDE
Universiteitsplein 1 (building T3)
University of Antwerp
2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
Email: patrick.dhaese@ua.ac.be

Abstract

B. Momcilovic¹, G.I. Lykken², N. Ivicic³ and J. Prejac⁴

¹Institute for the Research and Development of the Sustainable Eco Systems, Velika Gorica, Croatia, ²Department of Physics, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA, ³Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health and ⁴University Clinical Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Objectives: Understanding of the relationship between the iron and manganese metabolism in the human nutrition is lacking. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of low vs. high serum ferritin on the ⁵⁴Mn gastrointestinal tract transit time (GIT) in women of reproductive age fed a low manganese diet. Subjects: In a randomized community metabolic study involving women of reproductive age (22 – 44 years), 15 women with low ferritin status ( < 15 µg/l) and 11 women with high ferritin status ( > 50 µg/l), were fed a low manganese diet (0.7 mg Mn/day) for 30 days. Methods: Every woman received 0.037 mBq ⁵⁴Mn per-orally and their whole body (WB) activity was measured daily in a human whole body counter (WBC) for another 25 days on a low manganese diet. Our WBC allows for the exact position monitoring of ⁵⁴Mn movement along the various anatomical parts of the GIT. Results: ⁵⁴Mn moves along the GIT as a distinct bolus until the sharp drop of the WB activity indicates precisely the time when apparently all the ⁵⁴Mn from the GIT was excreted. At that moment ⁵⁴Mn WBC activity would usually be below 5%. When on a low manganese diet, ⁵⁴Mn whole body retention and GIT transit time were increased in the women having low ferritin status as compared to those with the high ferritin status. Conclusion: Low iron nutritional status when on low manganese diet is a strong constipation factor in the women of reproductive age.Correspondence to:
Prof. B. Momcilovic, MD, PhD
Srebrnjak 59
10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Email: berislav.momcilovic@gmail.com

Abstract

T. Noak, P. Eckermann, K. Kisters, G. Kraatz, R. Schubert and W. Zidek

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Volume 26, No. 3/2009(3rd Quarter)