Volume 27, No. 2/2010(2nd Quarter)
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 Trace Elements and Electrolytes
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Original
Plasma selenium levels in healthy blood bank donors at the coastal area of Belgium
R. Van Cauwenbergh, H. Robberecht, V. Van Vlaslaer, A. De Smet, M.-P. Emonds and N. Hermans
Abstract
Trace Elements and Electrolytes, Vol. 27 – No. 2/2010 (47-56)
Plasma selenium levels in healthy blood bank donors at the coastal area of Belgium
R. Van Cauwenbergh1, H. Robberecht1, V. Van Vlaslaer2, A. De Smet3, M.-P. Emonds3 and N. Hermans1
1Laboratory of Nutrition and Functional Food Science, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2Plantijn Hogeschool, Antwerp and 3Rode Kruis Vlaanderen, Bloedtransfusiecentrum Vlaams-Brabant-Limburg, Centraal Donorlaboratorium, Leuven, Belgium
Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, with Zeeman background correction and improved matrix modification, was used to measure the plasma selenium content of healthy blood bank donors at the sea-side part of Belgium. The mean plasma selenium concentration of 100 men and 100 women was 79.3 ± 11.0 ng/ml with a range of 51.9 – 117.7 ng/ml. Women tended to have lower selenium levels compared to men, but at a statistically insignificant level (p > 0.05). No effect of age was observed. The mean plasma selenium concentration measured corresponded well with literature data for Belgium. The obtained values were found to be in the medium range, compared with recent literature values for the European countries. Some factors, influencing concentration levels, are discussed.Correspondence to:
Dr. H. Robberecht
Laboratory of Nutrition and Functional Food Science
Department of Pharmaceutical
Sciences
University of Antwerp
Universiteitsplein 1 (CDE)
2610 Antwerp, Belgium
Email: labrom@ua.ac.be
Original
Zinc and copper in different types of heart failure
A. Ghaemian, E. Salehifar and M. Shokrzadeh
Abstract
Trace Elements and Electrolytes, Vol. 27 – No. 2/2010 (57-64)
Zinc and copper in different types of heart failure
A. Ghaemian1, E. Salehifar2 and M. Shokrzadeh3
1Heart Center of Mazandaran, Faculty of Medicine, 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and 3Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Iran
Congestive heart failure is one of the common causes of mortality and morbidity in all ethnic groups. Despite all of the therapeutic measures, the appearance of symptoms of congestive heart failure will result in a decrease in the level of quality of life and also on mortality. In the majority of cases heart failure is caused by other cardiovascular disorders such as systemic hypertension, valvular heart disease and coronary artery disease. However, structural and functional impairment of the myocardium could be secondary to viral, bacterial, parasitic and immunologic disorders. The relation of trace elements, with their protective and occasionally destructive cellular effects, with heart failure has long been recognized. Both increased and decreased levels of copper have been shown in some cardiovascular disorders such as myocardial infarction and heart failure. The role of zinc in heart failure in different studies has also been contradictory. In this article we reviewed the relation of these trace elements with heart failure.Correspondence to:
E. Salehifar, Associate Professor
Department of Clinical Pharmacy
Faculty of Pharmacy
Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences
Km 18 Khazar abad
Khazar Square, Sari, Mazandaran, Iran
Email: Salehifare@yahoo.com
Original
May the level and ratio changes of trace elements be utilized in identification of disease progression and grade in prostatic cancer?
A.R. Kiziler, B. Aydemir, S. Guzel, B. Alici, S. Ataus, M.B. Tuna, H. Durak and M. Kilic
Abstract
Trace Elements and Electrolytes, Vol. 27 – No. 2/2010 (65-72)
May the level and ratio changes of trace elements be utilized in identification of disease progression and grade in prostatic cancer?
A.R. Kiziler1, B. Aydemir2, S. Guzel3, B. Alici4, S. Ataus4, M.B. Tuna4, H. Durak5 and M. Kilic6
1Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, 2Department of Biophysics, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, 3Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, 4Depatment of Urology, 5Department of Pathology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, and 6Department of Industrial Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
Objective: The effects of the level and ratio changes in the trace elements have been reported previously in several diseases. The aim of this study was to determine whether those trace elements (Cu, Fe and Zn) can be used to distinguish among different histology grades of prostate cancer development and progression, and to assess the level changes of trace elements in serum and in tissues and copper-to-zinc and iron-to-zinc ratios in the serum and prostatic tissues of patients. Material and methods: 69 patients comprised of 23 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), 20 patients with malignant prostatic carcinoma (Malign Ca), 14 patients with low-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (LGPIN) and 12 patients with high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) diagnosed on basis of clinical profile, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and histopathology, were included in this study. The levels of elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The mean serum Cu levels in malign Ca were significantly higher than those seen in LGPIN, in HGPIN, and controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively). The mean serum Cu/Zn ratios in malign Ca were significantly higher than those in BPH (p < 0.01), LGPIN (p < 0.01), HGPIN (p < 0.01), and controls (p < 0.001). However, the mean serum Fe levels in controls were significantly lower than those in BPH, malign Ca, LGPIN and HGPIN (p < 0.001 for each). The mean serum Fe/Zn ratio in controls were significantly lower than those in malign Ca and LGPIN (p < 0.001 for each). The mean tissue Cu levels in malign Ca were significantly higher than those in LGPIN (p < 0.01) and HGPIN (p < 0.05). However, the tissue Zn levels of malign Ca were significantly lower than those of BPH (p < 0.05), but similarly these differences were not statistically significant among malign Ca, LGPIN and HGPIN. The mean tissue Fe concentrations were significantly lower in LGPIN as compared to HGPIN (p < 0.05). From Pearson correlation analysis, there were significant positive correlations between Cu/Zn and Fe/Zn ratios in serum, Fe/Zn in serum and Fe/Zn in tissue in HGPIN (r = 0.636, p < 0.05; r = 0.776, p < 0.01, respectively). Serum Cu/Zn was significantly positively correlated with serum Fe/Zn, tissue Cu/Zn and tissue Fe/Zn in malign Ca (r = 0.527, p < 0.05; r = 0.685, p < 0.01; r = 0.556, p < 0.05, respectively). A significant positive correlation was also found between tissue Cu/Zn and tissue Fe/Zn in malign Ca (r = 0.639, p < 0.01). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between serum Cu/Zn ratio and tissue Fe/Zn ratio in LGPIN (r = 0.755, p < 0.01). However, there was a negativ correlation between tissue Cu/Zn ratio and serum Fe/Zn ratio in LGPIN (r = -0.695, p < 0.01). Conclusion: These findings indicate that changes of levels of Cu, Zn and Fe, and Cu/Zn and Fe/Zn ratios in the serum and/or tissue are influenced by the prostatic carcinoma development and progression. Therefore, further studies need to be performed to clarify the exact role of these disparities of trace elements that are rooted from and are affected by tumorigenesis or by the result of tumorigenesis.Correspondence to:
B. Aydemir, PhD
Çobançesme Mah Valide Sok No 23/3
Yenibosna Bahcelievler, Istanbul, 34197,Turkey
Email: birsenay@yahoo.com
Original
Mystical stones in oncology: crystal healing power or perfect nonsense?
O. Micke, K. Schönekaes, R. Mücke, K. Kisters and J. Büntzel on behalf of the German Working Group Trace Elements and Electrolytes in Oncology – AKTE
Abstract
Trace Elements and Electrolytes, Vol. 27 – No. 2/2010 (73-79)
Mystical stones in oncology: crystal healing power or perfect nonsense?
O. Micke1, K. Schönekaes2, R. Mücke3, K. Kisters4 and J. Büntzel5 on behalf of the German Working Group Trace Elements and Electrolytes in Oncology – AKTE
1Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Franziskus Hospital, Bielefeld, 2Department of Radiotherapy, Radiological Health Care Center, Practice Clinic, Minden, 3Department of Radiotherapy, Lippe Hospital, Lemgo, 4Department of Internal Medicine I, St Anna Hospital, Herne and 5Department of Otolaryngology, Südharz Hospital, Nordhausen, Germany
Recently, crystal healing and gemstone therapy, also known as litho- or gemmotherapy, is extensively promoted in the media, newspapers and the internet. There is also a growing interest of cancer patients in this unconventional treatment, resulting in the need for oncologists to give informed advice to their patients and to prevent them from wasting hope, time and money in an ineffective treatment, and at worst to postpone the necessary treatment of this life threatening disease. In the context of the currently ever-growing New-Age wave, believing in crystal healing has spread widely in the population. It is a historical belief similar to that of charmstones, rather than one based on modern scientific practices and advances. Pleasant feelings or seeming successes of crystal healing can be attributed to the strong placebo effect, or the believers wanting it to be true and seeing only things that back that up: cognitive bias. A scientific proof of any positive effect beyond a placebo effect does not exist. Even though this treatment can be generally regarded as harmless and without toxicity, it should not be recommended to cancer patients. Thereby we will help prevent our patients from wasting hope, time and money in an ineffective treatment, and at worst to postpone the necessary treatment of this life threatening disease, resulting in a worsened prognosis.Correspondence to:
Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. O. Micke
Klinik für Strahlentherapie und Radioonkologie
Franziskus Hospital
Kiskerstraße 26, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
Email: strahlenklinik@web.de
Abstracts
28th Symposium on Magnesium of the Society for Magnesium Research – Fulda, Germany, October 9 – 11, 2008
Abstracts
29th Symposium on Magnesium of the Society for Magnesium Research – Fulda, Germany, October 15 – 17, 2009
Abstracts
38th Rostock Seminar for Cardiovascular Function and Hypertension – Rostock, Germany, June 20, 2009
