Comparison of Trace Elements in the Scalp Hair of Malignant and Benign Breast Lesions Versus Healthy Women

Trace elements including Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, and Zn were analyzed in the scalp hair samples of women with malignant breast lesions, women with benign breast lesions, and healthy donors using atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In the scalp hair of malignant-tumor patients, the highest average concentration was shown by Ca (1,187 μg/g), followed by Na (655 μg/g), Mg (478 μg/g), Zn (391 μg/g), Sr (152 μg/g), Fe (114 μg/g), and K (89.8), while in the case of benign-tumor patients, the average estimated element levels were 1,522, 1,093, 572, 457, 217, 80.4, and 74.7 μg/g, respectively. Most of the elements exhibited non-normal distribution evidenced by large spread, standard error, and skewness values. Mean concentrations of Ca (634 μg/g), Zn (206 μg/g), Mg (162 μg/g), Fe (129 μg/g), and Na (82.1 μg/g) were noteworthy in the scalp hair of healthy women. Average levels of Na, Sr, K, Cd, Co, Pb, Mg, Ca, Zn, Ni, Sb, and Mn were revealed to be significantly higher in the hair of malignant and benign patients compared to the healthy women; however, Fe, Cu, Al, and Cr were not significantly different in the scalp hair of the three groups. The quartile distributions of Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Sr revealed maximum spread in the scalp hair of malignant and benign groups; nevertheless, Al, Cu, Fe, and Zn exhibited almost comparable quartile levels in the three groups. Strong correlation coefficients were found between Fe and Cd, Al and Na, Mn and Sr, Co and Cr, Cd and Cr, Pb and K, Pb and Mn, Cu and Na, and Al and Fe in the scalp hair of malignant-tumor patients, while Fe and K, Cd and Co, Na and Co, and Cr and Pb showed strong correlations in the scalp hair of benign-tumor patients, both of which were significantly different compared with the healthy subjects. Multivariate cluster analysis also revealed divergent clustering of the elements in the scalp hair of malignant and benign patients in comparison with the healthy women.     

Medical application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for assessment of trace element and mineral in biosamples: Laboratory and clinical validity of the method

BackgroundBiomedical application is based on the use of LIBS-derived data on chemical contents of tissues in diagnosis of diseases, forensic investigation, as well as a mechanism for providing online feedback for laser surgery. Although LIBS has certain advantages, the issue of correlation of LIBS-derived data on chemical element content in different human and animal tissues with other methods, and especially ICP-MS, remains pertinent. The objective of the present review was to discuss the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for elemental analysis of human biosamples or tissues from experimental models of human diseases. Methods. A systematic search in the PubMed-Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using the terms laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS, metals, trace elements, minerals, and names of particular chemical elements was performed up through 25 February, 2023. Of all extracted studies only those dealing with human subjects, human tissues, in vivo animal and in vitro cell line models of human diseases were reviewed in detail. Results. The majority of studies revealed a wide number of metals and metalloids in solid tissues including teeth (As, Ag, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Ni, P, Pb, Sn, Sr, Ti, and Zn), bones (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, K, Mg, Na, Pb, Sr), and nails (Al, As, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, Pb, Si, Sr, Ti, Zn). At the same time, LIBS was also used for estimation of trace element and mineral content in hair (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Zn), blood (Al, Ca, Co, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Si, Sn, Zn), cancer tissues (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, K, Na, Zn) and other tissues. Single studies revealed satisfactory correspondence between quantitative LIBS and ICP-OES/MS data on the level of As (81–93 %), Pb (94–98 %), Cd (50–94 %) in teeth, Cu (97–105 %), Fe (117 %), Zn (88–117 %) in hair, Ca (97–99 %), Zn (90–95 %), and Pb (61–82 %) in kidney stones. LIBS also estimated specific patterns of trace element and mineral content associated with multiple pathologies, including caries, cancer, skin disorders, and other systemic diseases including diabetes mellitus type 2, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, etc. Data obtained from in situ tissue LIBS analysis were profitably used for discrimination between tissue types. Conclusions. Taken together, the existing data demonstrate the applicability of LIBS for medical studies, although further increase in its sensitivity, calibration range, cross-validation, and quality control is required.     

Comparative Evaluation of Trace Metal Distribution and Correlation in Human Malignant and Benign Breast Tissues

Selected trace metals were analyzed in human malignant and nonmalignant (benign) breast tissue samples by the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In malignant tissues, dominant mean concentrations were revealed by Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Al at 927, 552, 231, 61.7, 36.5, 18.3, and 8.94 microg/g, respectively, while the mean metal levels in benign tissues were 903, 435, 183, 63.3, 24.7, 14.5, and 10.1 microg/g, respectively. Average concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, K, Ca, and Zn were noted to be significantly higher in the malignant tissues compared with the benign tissues. Significantly strong correlations (r > 0.50) in malignant tissues were observed between Mn and Co, Mn and Cd, Cd and Cr, Fe and Mn, Cd and Co, Fe and Co, Mg and Pb, Cd and Fe, Mg and Ni, Pb and Ni, Ni and Sr, and Fe and Pb, whereas, Cd and Co, Cd and Mn, Co and Mg, Co and Mn, Cu and Mn, Co and Ni, Mg and Ni, Cd and Cu, Cd and Ni, Ca and Mg, Mn and Pb, Cu and Ni, Fe and Ni, Cd and Mg, Co and Cu, Cr and Na, and Cd and Cr revealed strong and significant relationships in benign tissues at p < 0.001. Principal component analysis of the metals data yielded six principal components for malignant tissues and five principal components for benign tissues, with considerably different loadings, duly supported by cluster analysis. The study revealed a considerably different pattern of distribution and mutual correlations of trace metals in the breast tissues of benign and cancerous patients.     

干热河谷石漠化区火龙果地不同耕作方式的土壤矿质元素特征

为探讨不同耕作方式的土壤矿质元素含量变化特征,促进火龙果生长发育和品质改良,该研究采用套种紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)、施用有机肥和化肥与农药、地膜覆盖和无措施五种耕作方式,以每种方式土壤的22种矿质元素为评价指标,比较不同耕作方式的矿质元素含量差异,阐明土壤矿质元素之间的相关关系。结果表明:(1)与无措施相比,其他耕作方式的Ca、Si、Mn等元素含量呈增加趋势,Fe、Mg、Al等元素含量则降低,Na含量无显著差异。(2)施用有机肥的矿质元素含量最丰富,地膜覆盖次之,套种紫花苜蓿最低。(3)相关性分析表明,火龙果地土壤矿质元素间多存在显著相关性,Al、Si、S、Ni与其他元素的相关性较密切,其次为Fe、Mg、Na、Mn、Cu和Co,均达到显著或极显著水平。(4) Ca、Fe、Mg、Mn、Cu、Zn和B之间多呈负相关,存在拮抗效应。干热河谷石漠化区在火龙果栽培时,应首选有机肥作为养分添加方式,并及时补充不同耕作方式造成的土壤矿质养分亏缺,尤其是Fe、Mg、Al、Na、Cu、Zn等元素。     

Trace element contents in hair of residents from Harbin (China), Medan (Indonesia), and Tokushima (Japan)

The concentrations of 19 trace element in hair samples from 1273 residents of Harbin (China), Medan (Indonesia), and Tokushima (Japan) were measured by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry. The mean concentrations of Ba, Ca, and Se were significantly higher in the Harbin hair samples when compared to those from Medan, but Al, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, Pb, Ti, Zn, and K were significantly higher in Medan than in Harbin hair samples. The differences in the mean concentrations of As, Cr, Mg, P, Sn, and Sr between the Medan and Harbin lots were not significant. In the Tokushima hair samples, Na and K were significantly higher, but As, B, Ba, Ca, Cr, Mg, Mn, Pb, Sn, Sr, and Se were significantly lower than in the Harbin hair samples. The differences in the mean concentrations of Al, Cu, Fe, P, Ti, and Zn between Harbin and Tokushima were not significant. In the Medan hair samples, Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Pb, Sn, Sr, Ti, and Zn were significantly higher, but P and Se were significantly lower than in Tokushima hair samples. Differences in mean concentrations of Na and K between Tokushima and Medan were not significant.     

秦岭产9种野菜中矿质元素含量的比较

野生蔬菜是指自然生长且未经人工栽培的蔬菜,因其富含人体所需的矿质元素、氨基酸及多种维生素而备受人们青睐[1-3],被公认为天然绿色食品.近年来,随生活水平的提高,多样化的饮食结构驱使人们不断对各种食品进行开发,尤其在旅游业的发展带动下,食用野菜已成为一种时尚和保健的需要.     

西北地区骆驼蓬属元素化学成分的分析

应用原子吸收光谱法对西北地区骆驼蓬属植物叶和种子中８种化学元素的含量进行了测定。结果表明：Ｋ、Ｎａ、Ｃａ、Ｍｇ的含量变化为同一分布区的不同种间大于不同分布区的同种间,Ｆｅ、Ｍｎ、Ｚｎ的含量变化为不同分布区的同种间大于同一分布区的不同种间,Ｃｕ的含量变化在不同种属、不同环境、不同器官中相对较小。叶中Ｆｅ、Ｍｎ、Ｋ、Ｍｇ的含量高于种子,种子中Ｚｎ的含量高于叶。Ｋ、Ｎａ含量与抗旱性有关,不同旱生植物中的化学元素含量呈多样性变化。     

Minor and trace elements in human milk from Guatemala,Hungary, Nigeria,Philippines, Sweden,and Zaire

Concentrations of As, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, V, and Zn were determined in human whole milk samples from Guatemala, Hungary, Nigeria, Philippines, Sweden, and Zaire; in most of these countries, three groups of subjects representing different socioeconomic conditions were studied. Analytical quality control was a primary consideration throughout. The analytical techniques used were atomic absorption spectrophotometry, atomic emission spectrometry with an inductively coupled plasma, colorimetry, electrochemistry, using an ion-selective electrode and neutron activation analysis. The differences between median concentrations of Ca, Cl, Mg, K, Na, and P (minor elements) were lower than 20% among the six countries. Among trace elements, concentrations observed in Filipino milk for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, and V were higher than for milk samples from other countries. The remaining five countries showed a mixed picture of high and low values. In the case of at least some elements, such as, F, I, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Se, the environment appears to play a major role in determining their concentrations in human milk. The nutritional status of the mother, as reflected by her socioeconomic status, does not appear to influence significantly the breast milk concentrations of minor and trace elements. Significant differences exist between the actual daily intakes observed in this study and current dietary recommendations made by, for example, WHO and the US National Academy of Sciences. These differences are particularly large (an order of magnitude or more!) for Cr, F, Fe, Mn, and Mo; for other elements, such as, Ca, Cu, Mg, P, and Zn, they amount to at least a factor 2. In the opinion of the present authors, these findings point to the need for a possible reassessment of the dietary requirements of young infants with respect to minor and trace elements, particularly for the elements Ca, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, P, and Zn.     

Studies on the Characteristic of Element Contents in the Dominant Plant Species of the Three gorges Region in China

The characteristics of the contents of 20 elements (Al, Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, K, S, Si, P, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ti, Ni, Sr, Mo, Na, B, Cr, V) in 16 plant species collected from the Three Gorges Region in China were investigated. The average contents of Ca, K and Mg were higher than 1 000 μg·g-1, that of Al, P, Si, Fe, S and Mn ranged between 100—1 000 μg·g-1 and Ti, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mo, Cd and V were less than 10 μg·g- 1. The level of Na content was less than that of the reported. The main character of the element contents was of the Ca> K type. The contents of P, S, Ca and K in different plant samples showed a normal distribution pattern, while Al and Mn showed a elements lognormal distribution pattern. Plant species differed greatly in the element contents. On analyzing the coefficient of variation (C. V., % ), Al, Mn, Mg, Ni, Sr and Fe had higher C.V., while the C.V. of K, S, P, Cr, Cd and Cu was less than 60%, and Cu had the lowest C.V. The correlations between Al and Fe, Al and Ti, Al and Cr, A1 and V, Cd and Sr, Cd and Mo, Fe and V, Zn and Cr, Ni and Sr, Mg and Ni, Mo and Sr, Ca and Sr, Cr and Mo, Na and Mg, Na and P, P and S were statistically significant in different plant species. The classification of the 16 plant species and 20 dements by two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) method may suggest the difference in dement contents of the different plant species.     

珍稀濒危植物矮牡丹体内矿质元素的研究

采用原子吸收分光光度法测定了矮牡丹体内的10种矿质元素,即K、Mg、Mn、Fe、Ni、Zn、Cu、Cd、Cr、Pb。分析了矿质元素在矮牡丹体内的分布规律及矮牡丹对各种元素的富集能力。结果表明:在不同器官中的矿质元素含量有显著差异, K、Mg、Mn、Ni、Cd、Cr、Pb以叶中为高, Fe、Zn、Cu分别以根、茎、叶柄中含量最高;大多数元素在叶柄中含量最低。矮牡丹对K、Mg、Mn、Fe、Zn有较强的吸收富集能力,一般叶的富集系数较其它器官为高。元素间相关分析表明:Zn、Cd、Cr、Pb、Mn、Fe、Ni、Cu之间有显著的相关性, K、Mg之间的相关性显著。此外,土壤与植物体内元素含量表现出显著的相关性。     

Content and health risk assessment of selected elements in the Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis,St. hillaire)

Element contents and radical scavenging activity in commercial Yerba mate tea blends from Paraguay and Argentina were determined. The potential health risk for the consumers was also calculated. Element contents in Yerba mate was arranged as follows: K > Ca > Mg > Mn > Fe > Zn > Na > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd (leaves and stalks) and K > Mg > Mn > Ca > Zn > Na > Fe > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd (infusion). In total 73% of K, 69% of Mn, 15% of Ni and Cu, 9% of Cr, 8% of Zn, 7% of Mg, 6% of Pb, 3% of Na, 2% of Cd, 0.34% of Ca, and 0.13% of Fe were extracted from leaves and stalks to the brew. Yerba mate tea was characterized by very high antioxidant activity. Argentinean Yerba mate had slightly higher antioxidant activity than Paraguayan. The combined non-carcinogenic effect (HI values) for each infusion and for all three infusion were below 1, which indicated that daily consumption of Yerba mate tea infusions did not cause essential non-carcinogenic health risk. The daily consumption of Yerba mate infusions provided necessary elements in the amounts significantly below 1% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) daily intake. The exception was amount of Mn in I infusion from the despalada kind of Yerba mate, which was equal to 1.43% of RDA for men and 1.82% of RDA for women.     

镉胁迫下草莓幼龄期叶、根矿质元素积累和分布的变化

采用水培实验,研究重金属镉对草莓幼龄期叶、根矿质元素含量和分布的影响。结果表明,高量镉降低草莓根中K、Ca、Mg、P、Cu、Zn、Mn、Fe的积累,叶片相应元素以及B、Mo含量也随镉浓度增大而呈降低趋势;但镉浓度较低时,K、Mg、P、Zn在叶、根中的含量均增加,而后才随镉处理浓度提高而降低。在镉胁迫下,同一元素在草莓叶、根之间的分布也受到影响,而且某些矿质元素含量间有显著相关性。     

Screening of Trace Metals in the Plasma of Breast Cancer Patients in Comparison with a Healthy Population

The plasmas of breast cancer patients and healthy donors were analyzed for selected trace metals by a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. In the plasma of breast cancer patients, mean concentrations of macronutrients/essential metals, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn were 3584, 197.0, 30.80, 6.740, 5.266, and 6.170 ppm, respectively, while the mean metal levels in the plasma of healthy donors were 3908, 151.0, 72.40, 17.70, 6.613, and 2.461 ppm, respectively. Average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, and Zn were noted to be significantly higher in the plasma of breast cancer patients compared with healthy donors. Very strong mutual correlations (r > 0.70) in the plasma of breast cancer patients were observed between Cd–Pb, Cr–Li, Li–K, Li–Cd, K–Cr, Li–Pb, Cr–Co, Cu–Ni, Co–K, Cd–K, and K–Pb, whereas, Al–Cr, Ca–Zn, Cd–Sb, Cd–Zn, Ca–Mg, Fe–Zn, and Na–Mn exhibited strong relationships (r > 0.60) in the plasma of healthy donors. The cluster analysis revealed considerably different apportionment of trace metals in the two groups of donors. The average metal concentrations of different age groups of the two donor categories were also evaluated, which showed the build-up of Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Li, Pb, Sb, and Zn in the plasma of breast cancer patients. The role of some trace metals in carcinogenesis is also discussed. The study indicated appreciably different patterns of metal distribution and correlation in the plasma of breast cancer patients in comparison with the healthy population.     

Trace and mineral elements in royal jelly and homeostatic effects

Royal jelly from Apis mellifera is a highly active natural biological substance and is probably one of the most interesting raw substances in natural product chemistry. Trace elements play a key role in the biomedical activities associated with royal jelly, as these elements have a multitude of known and unknown biological functions. For this reason concentrations of 28 trace (Al, Ba, Sr, Bi, Cd, Hg, Pb, Sn, Te, Tl, W, Sb, Cr, Ni, Ti, V, Co, Mo) and mineral (P, S, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn) elements were systematically investigated in botanically and geologically defined royal jelly samples. In addition, concentrations of 14 trace elements were measured in the associated honey samples--honey being the precursor of royal jelly. Concentrations of K, Na, Mg, Ca, P, S, Cu, Fe, Zn, Al, Ba and Sr in royal jelly were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), while concentrations of Bi, Cd, Hg, Pb, Sn, Te, Tl, W, Sb, Cr, Mn, Ni, Ti, V, Co and Mo in royal jelly were determined by double focusing magnetic sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS). In the honey samples, trace and mineral element concentrations strongly depended on botanical and geological origin, and substantial variation was found. In contrast, the concentrations of trace and mineral elements were highly constant in the associated royal jelly samples. The most important results were the homeostatic adjustments of trace and mineral element concentrations in royal jelly. This effect was evidently produced in the endocrine glands of nurse bees, which are adapted for needs of bee larvae. In conclusion, this research yielded a surprising and completely new finding--that royal jelly, as a form of lactation on the insect level, shows the same homeostatic adjustment as mammalian and human breast milk.     

Distribution of N,P, K,Ca, Mg,S, Zn,Fe, Mn and Cu in groundnut

Summary Concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in summer groundnut crop was higher than in kharif while Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu contents were higher in summer crop. Kernel's N, P and Zn; Leaflet's Ca and Mn; Stem's K and Fe; Root's S and Cu and Petiole's Mg contents were highest. Shell's N, P, K, Mg, S, Zn and Cu; Kernel's Ca, Fe and Mn contents were the least. N, P, K, S, Zn and Cu concentrations decreased linearly as the crop grew. Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn concentrations did not display any distinct pattern. Ca concentration was positively correlated with pod yield in both the seasons.     

Assessment of reference values for hair minerals of Korean preschool children

Hair samples of 655 children (3–6 yr of age) from metropolitan and small cities in Korea were analyzed to determine the content of 23 minor and trace elements with the aim of assessing reference values. Fifteen essential elements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Ca, Mg, Mn, P, Na, K, Cr, Se, Li, V, Co, Mo) and 8 harmful elements (Pb, Al, Hg, As, Cd, Ba, Bi, U) were taken into account. Measurements were performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The overall mean values were as follows (μ/g): Al, 8.78; As, 0.11; Ba, 0.32; Bi, 0.04; Ca, 212.47; Cd, 0.08; Co, 0.01; Cr, 0.47; Cu, 15.51; Fe, 12.62; Hg, 0.49; K, 34.10; Li, 0.01; Mg, 12.29; Mn, 0.29; Mo, 0.07; Na; 27.14; P, 121.21; Pb, 1.68; Se, 0.75; U. 0.04; V. 0.08; Zn, 69.99. There was no significant difference in hair mineral content between children living in metropolitan and small cities. There were positive correlations between age and the level of Zn, Ca, Na, P, Mn, and Li, but negative correlations between age and the level of Cr, V, and U. The proposed reference values for hair Zn, Mg, Ca, As, and Cd of Korean children were lower than those of other countries, but the values for other elements of hair were not significantly different from those of other countries.     

Genetic aspects of the interrelation between alkaloids and chemical elements in Atropa belladonna L. and Glaucium flavum Grantz. plants

The variability of the contents of tropane and isoquinoline alkaloids, ashes, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Co, Mo, Cr, Al, Ba, V, Ni, Sr, Cd, Pb, J, and Ag was studied in individual plants of the industrial population of belladonna (Atropa belladonna L.) and yellow horned poppy (Glaucium flavum Crantz.). Numerous linear and nonlinear correlations of isoquinoline and tropane alkaloids with ashes and mineral elements were revealed by means of correlation and regression analyses. Alkaline earth elements (especially Sr and Ba) were shown to have a major role in the regulation of tropane alkaloid accumulation in belladonna leaves. K and Ni were of particular importance in the aerial part of yellow horned poppy. These elements at the suboptimal concentrations were most favorable for isoquinoline alkaloid accumulation in yellow horned poppy. Analytical mathematical models were derived for the regulation of alkaloid metabolism in test plants by some mineral elements (Ba, Mg, Al, Sr, Ni, Mn, and K). Our results indicate that the interrelation between alkaloids and elements in these plants is genetically determined.     

Heavy Metals and Trace Element Concentrations in Intertidal Soils of Four Estuaries of SW Iberian Peninsula

Soils from four estuaries of SW Iberian Peninsula, affected by anthropogenic influence (urban, industrial and agricultural activities), were analyzed for the occurrence of a variety of metals and trace elements including Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S and Zn. The soils presented very high levels of salinity (high concentrations of Na, K and Mg), organic matter and, consequently, of C and N concentrations. In contrast, very low values of CaCO₃, Ca and P were found. In addition, it should be highlighted that in certain localities (Piedras 1 and 2 and Guadiana in Huelva, Spain, and Ria Formosa, Faro, Portugal) the concentrations of Pb, S and Zn were extremely high, reaching levels of pollution.     

An elemental correlation study in cancerous and normal breast tissue with successive clinical stages by neutron activation analysis

Influence of trace elements in body metabolism and their physiological importance in various diseases have motivated their accurate and quantitative determination in biological tissues and fluids. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) using short and long term irradiation has been employed to determine five minor elements (Cl, K, Na, Mg, P) and 15 trace elements (As, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Rb, Sb, Se, Sc, Sr, and Zn) in cancerous and normal breast tissue from 30 patients of four clinical stages. Several elements show enhancement in cancerous breast tissue. Selenium shows maximum enhancement of 94.7% followed by K (81.6%), Sc (66.7%), Cu (58.2%), Na (48.5%), P (44.4%), and Zn (39.2%). Some element, such as Fe, Cr, and Mn, are depressed by 30.8, 30.1, and 12.8%, respectively. These elements compete for binding sites in the cell, change its enzymatic activity and exert direct or indirect action on the carcinogenic process accelerating the growth of tumors. This is further evidenced by histopathological examination of cancerous cells showing poor cytological differentiation. An attempt has been made to correlate trace element concentrations of Se, Cu, Zn, Rb, Br, Hg, As, Co, Fe, Cr, and Mn and the ratios of Se/Zn, K/P, Cu/Zn, Na/K, and Se/Fe with the clinical stages of cancer. Inhibition of enzymatic activity caused by variation in trace element concentrations results in immunological breakdown of the body system.     

不同产地松茸氨基酸与矿质元素的比较研究

以西南地区的三种松茸子实体为材料 ,用柱前衍生高效液相色谱法和原子吸收分光光度法分别对松茸子实体的氨基酸和矿质元素进行了测定 ,氨基酸的测定结果表明 :采自四川通江的松茸子实体的氨基酸总含量最高 ,为 10 .5 82 % ;其次为采自重庆的松茸子实体为 9.6 0 7% ;最低的为采自云南昌隆的松茸子实体 ,为 3.381%。矿质元素的测定结果表明 :所测定的七种元素中 ,含量较高的有三种 ,分别为K ,Ca和Mg ,平均含量分别为 3.1× 10 4mg/Kg ,1.6 2× 10 3mg/Kg和 5 .5 8× 10 2mg/Kg。在这三种松茸子实体中云南昌隆的Fe ,Mn含量最高 ,分别为 6 2 .2 82mg/Kg和 6 .0 6 4mg/Kg ;重庆的Cu含量最高 ,为 5 2 .84 5mg/Kg;Zn的含量在这三种子实体中差异不大。