Dietary Exposure to Lead and Cadmium in Yugoslavia

Abstract

Lead exposure still represents a matter of health concern especially in Yugoslavia. To assess the exposure of normal urban population to lead and cadmium through food, a preliminary monitoring was performed on a small group of urban population. Lead, cadmium and some essential elements (calcium, zinc, iron, copper and manganese) were analysed in collected duplicate diet samples and compared to similar population in Sweden. We found that dietary exposure to lead and cadmium is similar to other countries although Yugoslav urban population is exposed to much higher concentrations of lead in air than in cities of developed countries, due to high lead in gasoline. However, daily intake of some essential elements was significantly lower.

Also populations living around lead smelters in various parts of Yugoslavia are still exposed to elevated environmental lead and cadmium levels. To assess the exposure of the population living in this area, a cumulative long-term exposure to lead was determined by measuring lead in deciduous teeth. Concentrations of lead and cadmium in vegetables, soil and meals from the same region were also analysed. Values obtained for lead and cadmium in food products grown in exposed and control area were found to be related to respective concentrations of these elements in soil as well as to the distance from the smelter. Meals prepared in this region show the same trend, revealing very high intake particularly of lead.

The influence of nutritional factors, i.e. dietary calcium on lead metabolism, was also studied. Blood lead concentration was determined in two groups of peasant women living in two regions with different dietary calcium intake. Lower blood lead values were found in the higher dietary calcium intake region.     

Dietary Intake and Serum and Hair Concentrations of Minerals and their Relationship with Serum Lipids and Glucose Levels in Hypertensive and Obese Patients with Insulin Resistance

Inadequate minerals intake, as well as disruption of some metabolic processes in which microelements are cofactors, are suggested to lead to the development of hypertension. The role of minerals in the pathogenesis of hypertension still remains to be explained. In the present study, we sought to determine associations between serum and hair mineral concentrations and serum lipids and glucose levels. Forty obese hypertensive subjects with insulin resistance and 40 healthy volunteers were recruited in the study. Blood pressure, BMI, and insulin resistance were recorded in all subjects. Levels of lipids, glucose, sodium and potassium, iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and calcium were assessed in serum. Iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and calcium were assessed in hair. Dietary intake of the analyzed minerals was estimated. We found distinctly higher concentrations of serum iron and serum and hair calcium as well as markedly lower levels of hair zinc in the hypertensive subjects. The study group manifested also significantly lower daily intake of calcium, magnesium, and iron. We observed a relationship between the concentrations of iron, zinc, and copper in serum and hair and high and low range of cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose serum levels in the studied patients. Moreover, this study demonstrated significant correlation between serum and hair concentrations of selected minerals and their dietary intake and levels of serum lipids and glucose and blood pressure in the study and the control groups. The obtained results seem to indicate the association between lipid and glucose metabolism and iron, copper, zinc, and calcium concentrations in blood and hair of hypertensive and obese patients with insulin resistance.     

Effects of zinc, copper, and selenium on placental cadmium transport

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential effects of zinc, copper, and selenium on placental cadmium transport. From November 2002 through January 2003, a total of 47 healthy pregnant women from Da-Ye City, Hubei Province in Central China participated in the study. Their age, parity, gestational age, pregnancy history, and lifestyle data were obtained by questionnaire interview. The placental, whole-blood, and cord blood levels of cadmium were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), whole-blood zinc was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS), whole-blood copper by ICP-MS, and selenium was by atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry (AFS). The cord blood cadmium concentration (0.020-1.48 microg/L) was significantly lower than in maternal blood (0.80-25.20 microg/L, p<0.01). The placental cadmium concentration was from 0.082 to 3.97 microg/g dry weight. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that lower levels of maternal blood copper were significantly associated with higher cadmium concentrations in cord blood. Placental cadmium in women with lower levels of maternal blood zinc was significantly higher than in those with normal zinc levels. The placental cadmium level in women with lower whole-blood selenium was significantly lower than in subjects with normal selenium levels. It was concluded that the essential elements copper, selenium, and zinc might significantly affect placental cadmium transport.     

Concentrations of heavy metals in maternal and umbilical cord blood

Concentrations of lead, cadmium, methylmercury and total mercury were measured in maternal and umbilical cord blood using graphite atomic absorption spectrometry. Two essential metals, copper and zinc, were also determined using ion chromatography. Lead, copper and zinc were found to be lower in the cord blood, whereas methylmercury and total mercury were higher in cord blood than in maternal blood. Little differences were noted for cadmium in maternal and cord blood. Significant positive correlations were observed between the concentrations in maternal and cord blood with regard to lead (correlation coefficient, r = 0.44), copper (r = 0.34), zinc (r = 0.29), methylmercury (r = 0.44) and total mercury (r = 0.58). These results suggest that, like essential metals, most heavy metals can move rather freely across the human placenta. The potential health effects of heavy metal transfer from mothers to young infants cannot be discounted.     

The Effect of Occupational Lead Exposure on Blood Levels of Zinc, Iron, Copper, Selenium and Related Proteins

The study objective was to evaluate the effect of occupational lead exposure on blood concentrations of zinc, iron, copper, selenium and proteins related to them, such as transferrin, caeruloplasmin and haptoglobin. The examined group consisted of 192 healthy male employees of zinc?Clead works. By the degree of lead exposure, the exposed group was subdivided into three subgroups. The control group was composed of 73 healthy male administrative workers. The markers of lead exposure (blood levels of lead and zinc protoporphyrin) were significantly elevated in the exposed group compared with the control group. Additionally, concentrations of copper and caeruloplasmin were raised. The significant increase in haptoglobin level was observed only in the low exposure group. Selenium levels were significantly decreased, whereas iron, zinc and transferrin levels were unchanged in the exposed group compared with the control group. There were positive correlations between the lead toxicity parameters and the copper and caeruloplasmin levels. In conclusion, the effect of occupational exposure to lead on the metabolism of trace metals appears to be limited. However, significant associations between lead exposure and levels of copper and selenium were shown. Changed levels of positive acute-phase proteins, such as caeruloplasmin and haptoglobin, were also observed.     

Effects of sub-chronic low-level lead exposure on the homeostasis of copper and zinc in rat tissues

Information about the health risks or the subtle adverse health effects that might be associated with low-level lead exposure on micronutrient metabolism are scarce in the literature. The present work investigated the subtle adverse health effects of exposure to progressively low levels of lead on the metabolism of two micronutrients, copper and zinc in different tissues of the rat. Rats were exposed to 200, 300 and 400 ppm lead in their drinking water for 12 weeks. Lead, copper and zinc concentrations were determined in blood, liver, kidney, heart, spleen and brain of the animals. While the imbalance in zinc metabolism was characterized by a deposition of zinc in the kidney and to a lesser extent in the heart of the animals, imbalance in copper metabolism was characterized by a depletion of blood and splenic copper concentrations as well as renal and cardiac accumulation of copper. Hepatic and brain copper and zinc contents, together with blood zinc were not affected by the 12-week lead exposure. A linear relationship was observed between lead dose and lead accumulation in the spleen, whereas a non-linear relationship was observed between lead dose and lead accumulation in blood, liver, kidney and heart. Our findings indicate that exposure to progressively low-level lead concentrations results in imbalance in copper and zinc in the organism and this might be a factor in propensity toward behavioral disorders observed in lead exposure.     

Uptake of six heavy metals by oat as influenced by soil type and additions of cadmium,lead, zinc and copper

Summary The influence of heavy metal additions on availability and uptake of cadmium, lead, zinc, copper, manganese and iron by oat was studied. The experiments were carried out as pot experiments using sandy loam, sandy soil and organic soil. Selective extractants were used to remove metals held in different soil fractions.Lead and copper were preferently bound by organics and oxides, zinc by oxides and inorganics, and cadmium by inorganics and organics.Addition of cadmium to the soils resulted in higher cadmium concentrations in all plant parts but lower concentrations of lead, zinc, copper, manganese and iron, and the accumulation indexes of these metals were also lower when cadmium was added to the soil.Addition of cadmium plus lead, zinc and copper resulted in higher cadmium concentrations in leaves and straw of plants grown in sandy loam and sandy soil, but lower concentrations when plants were grown in organic soil as compared with the results when cadmium was added separately. The transfer of cadmium, lead, zinc and copper from soil to plant was greatest from sandy soil, and zinc and cadmium were more mobile in the plant than were lead and copper.Cadmium concentrations in leaves correlated significantly with CaCl₂ and CH₃COOH extractions in sandy loam and sandy soil and with CH₃COOH extractions in organic soil.Generally, the total metal uptake was lowest from organic soil.     

Cadmium, copper and zinc in tissues of deceased copper smelter workers

Workers at a copper and lead smelter in northern Sweden have a multifactorial exposure to a number of heavy metals. The concentrations of cadmium, copper and zinc in liver, lung, kidney and brain tissues have been determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in 32 deceased long-term exposed male lead smelter workers, and compared with those of 10 male controls. Furthermore, copper and zinc levels in hair and nails were determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence.

The highest cadmium concentrations among both workers and controls were observed in kidney, followed in order by liver, lung and brain. The levels in kidney, liver and lung were all significantly higher in the workers than in the controls (p < 0.03). Among the workers relatively strong positive correlations (p < 0.03) were observed between cadmium concentrations in liver and lung, liver and kidney, liver and brain, and lung and brain. In the exposed workers a positive correlation was observed between cadmium and zinc concentrations in the kidney (r_s = 0.38; p = 0.034). This is probably mainly due to the protein metallothionein, which is stored in the kidney, binding equimolar amounts of these two metals.

The highest concentrations of copper were found in hair and nails among both workers and controls, followed in order by liver, brain, kidney and lung. The tissue concentrations of copper in brain, lung and kidney were all significantly higher among the smelter workers than in the controls (p ≤ 0.036). Copper levels in lung and age at time of death were positively correlated among the exposed workers (r_s = 0.39; p = 0.029). In the same group, positive correlations between copper and zinc concentrations in kidney (r_s = 0.45; p = 0.009) and nails (r_s = 0.68; p < 0.001) were also observed, reflecting possible biological interactions between these two metals.

Among both workers and controls, the highest zinc concentrations were found in hair, followed in order by nails, liver, kidney, brain and lung. Significantly higher tissue concentrations among the workers as compared with the reference group were noted in kidney, liver and brain (p ≤ 0.033).

Neither copper nor zinc concentrations in hair and nails seemed to provide a useful measure of the trace element status of the smelter workers.     

Serum copper and zinc concentrations are lower in Iranian patients with angiographically defined coronary artery disease than in subjects with a normal angiogram.

BACKGROUND: An imbalance between zinc and copper metabolism has been reported to predispose to coronary artery disease (CAD) in Western populations, but there are little data for other racial groups. We have therefore investigated the association between serum copper and zinc, and CAD in Iranian subjects undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS: Serum copper, zinc, fasting lipid profile, and blood glucose levels were measured in 114 patients (67 male and 47 female) undergoing routine coronary angiogram. Anthropometric features including blood pressure were determined using standard procedures. Demographic characteristics, including menopausal status and smoking habit, were assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS: Male patients had lower serum copper (p<0.05), lower serum zinc (p<0.05), and higher serum zinc/copper ratio (p<0.05) than females. Serum copper and zinc concentrations were significantly lower in the subjects with angiographically defined CAD than those patients with a normal angiogram, although the zinc/copper ratio was higher in these patients (p<0.001). Serum copper (r=-0.303, p<0.001) and zinc (r=-0.250, p<0.01) concentrations were both inversely related to age, and copper was positively associated with fasting serum triglycerides (r=0.188, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum copper and zinc concentrations were significantly lower in Iranian patients with abnormal versus those with a normal angiogram. However, the zinc/copper ratio was higher in patients with CAD compared to subjects without CAD. Serum zinc and copper concentrations appear to be influenced by several physiological factors including age and gender.     

The Correlation of Serum Trace Elements and Heavy Metals with Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Changes in essential trace elements and heavy metals may affect the atherosclerotic state of patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). The aim of the study was to evaluate the relation between the serum levels of some trace elements and heavy metals (iron, zinc, manganese, copper, magnesium, cobalt, cadmium, lead, and copper/zinc ratio) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) in HD patients. Fifty chronic HD patients without known atherosclerotic disease and 48 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in the study. The serum levels of trace elements (iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and magnesium) and heavy metals (cobalt, cadmium, and lead) were measured by Atomic Adsorption Spectrophotometer (UNICAM-929). CIMT was assessed by carotid artery ultrasonography. The serum levels of iron, zinc, and manganese were lower; levels of copper, magnesium, cobalt, cadmium, lead, and copper/zinc ratio were higher in HD patients compared to controls. CIMT in HD patients were higher than the control group (0.64?±?0.11 vs 0.42?±?0.05, p?相似文献   

Detection and Analysis of 12 Heavy Metals in Blood and Hair Sample from a General Population of Pearl River Delta Area

To detect the content of 12 heavy metals in blood and hair sample from a general population of Pearl River Delta area, and to analyze the influence of duration of residence, gender, age, smoking and drinking on the heavy metal content. Use inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to detect the content of 12 heavy metals lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), chrome (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn) and antimony (Sb) in blood and hair samples of a total of 50 subjects from a general population, collected by multistage stratified cluster random sampling method. The geometric mean of heavy metal content in blood samples of general population (μg/L): blood aluminum 214.00; blood chrome 92.82; blood manganese 21.43; blood nickel 20.59; blood copper 0.67; blood zinc 11.50; blood arsenic 0.55; blood cadmium 2.45; blood tin 0.00; blood antimony 1.92; blood lead 158.84; and blood mercury 1.19. The geometric mean of heavy metal content in hair samples of general population (μg/g): hair aluminum is 84.65; hair chrome 0.00; hair manganese 2.44; hair nickel 0.61; hair copper 28.49; hair zinc 136.65; hair arsenic 0.75; hair cadmium 0.46; hair tin 1.04; hair antimony 0.05; hair lead 8.97; and hair mercury 0.69. Some heavy metals were correlated with duration of residence, gender, age, smoking and drinking. This was the first time that simultaneously detecting heavy metal content in blood and hair was used to analyze the internal heavy metal burden in resident population of Pearl River Delta area. These data can serve as reference for further research.     

Simultaneous Determination of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Se in Human Blood of Jordanian Smokers by ICP-OES

A total of 73 blood samples (56 from smokers and 17 from nonsmokers) were collected to determine the concentrations of selected heavy metal in the whole blood of smokers and nonsmokers living in and around the city of Amman, Jordan. Analysis of heavy metals in the whole blood samples of various groups took in consideration the number of cigarettes smoked per day. The analysis of blood samples was carried out using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. This study aimed to evaluate the blood metal levels in smokers and nonsmokers and to assess the influence of smoking cigarettes on blood metal levels. The results were compared with those from a control group. The results indicated that the average concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) were 0.0313, 0.344, 2.328, 3.214, and 0.332 mg/L, respectively. Statistical analysis of results indicated that these average concentrations were significantly higher compared with the average concentrations in nonsmokers (P < 0.05). Moreover, the correlations between blood metal and other blood metal levels in smokers, the correlations between blood metal and other blood metal levels in nonsmokers, and the correlations between blood metal concentration in smokers and its concentration in nonsmokers were calculated. The standard reference material (blood serum National Institute of Standards and Technology 1598) and the quality control were used to validate the reliability of the method used for the estimation of heavy metals in blood samples. Results revealed that there was an agreement between the certified values and the measured values.     

Serum and hair levels of zinc and other elements in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis

The aim of this study was to determine the zinc, iron, copper, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels in blood serum and zinc and copper levels in hair of dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis. The serum zinc and iron levels were found to be significantly lower in diseased dogs than those of healthy controls. Serum copper levels were significantly higher, whereas no significant differences were observed for calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. There were no significant differences in the zinc and copper levels in hair. Our results show that the serum zinc, iron, and copper levels are altered in canine leishmaniasis.     

不育男性患者和健康男性血液与精浆中微量元素含量的对比分析

目的:研究不育患者精浆和血液中微量元素的含量,为男性不育的诊断和治疗提供理论依据。方法:对73例正常生育组男性和265例男性不育患者的精浆和血液中的锌、铁、铜、钙、镁、镉进行检测分析,分析两组血液和精浆微量元素的差异。结果:不育组患者精浆和血液中锌的含量明显低于正常对照组,铜、镉离子含量明显高于正常对照组,与正常对照组比较均有显著性差异(P<0.01);而两组中的钙、铁、镁的含量接近,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。不育组患者精浆中的锌元素水平明显高于血液锌含量,而血液中的镉含量明显高于精浆中的镉含量,差异有明显的统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:精浆和血液中锌、铜、镉的变化与男性不育密切相关。     

Correlation between birth weight, leptin, zinc and copper levels in maternal and cord blood

Leptin and zinc are involved in the regulation of appetite. Copper is a trace element regulating the functions of several cuproenzymes that are essential for life. To evaluate the relationship between zinc and copper status and the leptin system in humans, we examined whether leptin concentrations in the mother and the newborn correlate with the weight of mother, placenta and newborn. A total of 88 pregnant women at 38-42 weeks' gestation were studied. All infants were categorized as small for gestational age (SGA) (n = 16), average for gestational age (AGA) (n = 59) or large for gestational age (LGA) (n = 13). Leptin, zinc, and copper levels were measured in maternal and cord serum at birth. Maternal BMI and placental weight of the LGA groups were significantly higher than those of the SGA and AGA groups. Cord and maternal leptin levels of the SGA groups were significantly lower than those of the AGA and LGA groups. Maternal serum leptin levels were positively correlated with BMI and maternal zinc levels in all groups. Cord serum leptin levels of all groups were positively correlated with birth weight and placental weight. Birth weight was negatively correlated with maternal and cord copper level of all groups. Umbilical leptin concentrations of SGA newborns correlated with leptin concentrations of their mothers. In all pregnancies, birth weight increases in association with increase in cord leptin level. Our results suggest that maternal zinc but not copper level has an effect on maternal serum leptin levels. The increase in copper level in both maternal and cord blood may contribute to restriction in fetal growth.     

Cadmium in blood in Alzheimer's disease and non-demented subjects: results from a population-based study

Blood cadmium concentrations were studied in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-demented subjects. The 29 individuals were randomized from the ongoing population survey on ageing and dementia in Stockholm, the Kungsholmen Project. Smokers had, as expected, higher cadmium levels than non-smokers. Cadmium concentrations in blood were related to diastolic blood pressure in non-smoking, non-demented individuals. In contrast to previous reports no differences in blood cadmium levels were found between AD sufferers and non-demented subjects. Furthermore, there were no correlations between cadmium levels in blood and age or cognitive functions. The importance of quality assurance in sample collection and analysis of cadmium as well as scrutinizing smoking habits is emphasized.     

Influence of L-lysine and zinc administration during exposure to lead or lead and ethanol in rats

Influence of lysine and zinc administration on the lead-sensitive biochemical parameters and the accumulation of lead during exposure to lead or lead and ethanol was investigated in rats. The lead exposure inhibited blood δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, increased blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), blood and tissue lead levels, and decreased blood and hepatic glutahione (GSH) contents. Some of these effects were enhanced on coexposure to ethanol. The simultaneous administration of lysine and zinc reduced tissue accumulation of lead and most of the lead-induced biochemical alterations irrespective of exposure to lead alone or lead and ethanol. The depletion of endogenous calcium and magnesium owing to lead or ethanol exposure was also prevented by co-administration of lysine and zinc.     

The influence of biological and environmental factors on metallothionein concentration in the blood

The concentration of metallothionein (MT), a low-molecular-weight protein, is regulated by many factors, primarily metals (zinc, cadmium, copper), cytokines, glucocorticoides and free radicals. These factors are determined by such aspects of human biology as gender, pregnancy and age, as well as by environmental factors including the use of oral contraceptives and cigarette smoking, all which may affect MT levels in the body.The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of these biological and environmental factors on MT concentrations in erythrocyte lysate and in plasma.MT concentrations were determined by a two-step direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Evaluation of exposure to cigarette smoking was performed by checking cotinine levels in the plasma of subjects.The studies showed higher MT concentrations in both the erythrocyte lysate and plasma of women when compared to men. Furthermore, pregnancy causes an increase of MT concentration in plasma, while oral contraceptives cause an elevated concentration of MT in erythrocyte lysate. Age impacts plasma MT concentrations in men, whereas it does not affect concentrations of MT in erythrocyte lysate.     

Trace metals in the benthic habitat of the Maarsseveen Lakes system,The Netherlands

The cadmium, zinc, lead and copper concentrations in benthic invertebrates and sediment were determined during two consecutive winters in the Maarsseveen Lakes system. A sequential extraction procedure was applied to estimate the bioavailability of the trace metals in the sediment. Based on the trace metal analyses of organisms and sediment, it is concluded that the Maarsseveen Lakes system has background levels of cadmium, zinc, lead and copper. As the majority of metals was present in geochemically more stable sediment phases, the sequential extractions provided limited additional information on trace metal bioavailability.     

Metallic Elements in Hair as a Biomarker of Human Exposure to Environmental Pollution: A Preliminary Investigation in Hubei Province

Metallic elements in hair were assessed in human subjects randomly sampled from six villages in Hubei province, PR China, known to differ in industrial pollution. Metallic elements assessed included copper, zinc, lead, and cadmium. Subjects sampled included adults and children of both sexes. Soil and rice samples from the villages were also examined for contents of metallic elements. Soil and rice contents of copper, lead, and cadmium were higher in the villages closer to the pollution source (copper smeltery). Hair contents of copper, lead, and cadmium were higher in subjects from the polluted villages compared with subjects from the nonpolluted areas. No differences were found in hair zinc content among the villagers. Cadmium contents in rice and human hair were linearly correlated. For lead and copper a logarithmic relation was found. No difference was found between the two genders with respect to hair metallic contents. With regard to age, hair cadmium content was highest in the older age groups in the polluted villages and may reflect chronic exposure. No other systematic age effects were observed. It was concluded that contents of cadmium, lead, and copper in human hair do reflect the degree of environmental pollution.