Availability of Essential Elements in Nutrient Supplements Used as Antidiabetic Herbal Formulations

Five brands of antidiabetic herbal formulations as tablets, Diabetex, Divya Madhu Nashini, Jambrushila, Diabeticin, and Madhumeh Nashini, from different pharmacies were analyzed for six minor (Na, K, Ca, Cl, Mg, and P) and 20 trace (As, Ba, Br, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, La, Mn, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Th, V, and Zn) elements by thermal neutron irradiation followed by high-resolution gamma ray spectrometry. Further Ni, Cd, and Pb were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Most elements vary in a narrow range by a factor of 2–4 while a few others vary in a wide range, e.g., Na (0.05–0.67 mg/g), Mn (26.7–250 μg/g), and V (0.26–2.50 μg/g). All the five brands contain K, Cl, Mg, P, and Ca as minor constituents along with mean trace amounts of Cr (2.11 ± 0.67 μg/g), Cu (15.7 ± 7.11 μg/g), Fe (459 ± 171 μg/g), Mn (143 ± 23 μg/g), Se (238 ± 112 ng/g), and V (0.99 ± 0.93 μg/g). Jambrushila is enriched in Na, Ca, Mg, Cl, Fe, Cu, Se, and Zn, essential nutrients responsible for curing diabetes. Dietary intake of Mn, Fe, and Cu are greater than 10% of the recommended dietary allowance, whereas that for Zn and Se is less than 2%. Mean contents of toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) were found below permissible limits except in Jambrushila. Cr and Zn were inversely correlated with r = −0.81, whereas Rb and Cs exhibit linear correlation (r = 0.93) in five brands. C, H, N analysis showed C ∼ 55%, H ∼ 12%, and N ∼ 2% with a total of ∼70% organic matter. However, thermal decomposition studies at 700°C suggest less than 5% nonvolatile metal oxides. Herbal formulations contain minor and trace elements in bioavailable forms that favorably influence glucose tolerance and possibly increase the body’s ability to ameliorate development of diabetes.     

The Effect of Age and Gender on 59 Trace-Element Contents in Human Rib Bone Investigated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

The effect of age and gender on 59 trace-element contents in rib bone of 80 apparently healthy 15–55-year-old women (n?=?38) and men (n?=?42) was investigated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mean values (M?±?SΕΜ) for the mass fraction (milligrams per kilogram, on dry-weight basis) of Ba, Bi, Cd, Ce, Cu, Dy, Er, Gd, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Nd, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sm, Sr, Tb, Tl, U, Yb, and Zn for both female and male taken together were: Ba 2.5?±?0.2, Bi 0.015?±?0.002, Cd 0.044?±?0.005, Ce 0.029?±?0.002, Cu 1.05?±?0.06, Dy 0.0020?±?0.0003, Er 0.0011?±?0.0002, Gd 0.0015?±?0.0001, La 0.020?±?0.002, Li 0.040?±?0.002, Mn 0.354?±?0.004, Mo 0.052?±?0.006, Nd 0.011?±?0.001, Pb 2.24?±?0.14, Pr 0.0032?±?0.0004, Rb 1.51?±?0.06, Sm 0.0014?±?0.0001, Sr 291?±?20, Tb 0.00041?±?0.00005, Tl 0.00050?±?0.00003, U 0.0013?±?0.0001, Yb 0.00072?±?0.00007, and Zn 92.8?±?1.5, respectively. The upper limit of mean contents of Ag, Al, B, Be, Br, Cr, Cs, Hg, Ho, Lu, Ni, Sb, Te, Th, Ti, Tm, and Y were: Ag?≤?0.011, Al?≤?7.2, B?≤?0.65, Be?≤?0.0032, Br?≤?3.9, Cr?≤?0.25, Cs?≤?0.0077, Hg?≤?0.018, Ho?≤?0.00053, Lu?≤?0.00024, Ni?≤?1.05, Sb?≤?0.0096, Te?≤?0.0057, Th?≤?0.0030, Ti?≤?2.8, Tm?≤?0.00006, and Y?≤?0.0047, respectively. In all bone samples, the contents of As, Au, Co, Eu, Ga, Hf, Ir, Nb, Pd, Pt, Re, Rh, Sc, Se, Sn, Ta, V, W, and Zr were under detection limits. The Ce, Dy, Er, Gd, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, and Yb contents increase with age. Higher Sr mass fraction is typical of female rib as compared to those in male bone.     

The effect of age and gender on 38 chemical element contents in human iliac crest investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis

ProjectTo understand the role of major, minor, and trace elements in the etiology of bone diseases including osteoporosis, it is necessary to determine the normal levels and age-related changes of bone chemical elements.ProcedureThe effect of age and gender on 38 chemical element contents in intact iliac crest of 84 apparently healthy 15–55 years old women (n=38) and men (n=46) was investigated by neutron activation analysis.ResultsMean values (M±SEM) for mass fraction (on dry weight basis) of Ca, Cl, Co, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Sr, and Zn for both female and male taken together were Ca – 169±3 g/kg, Cl – 1490±43 mg/kg, Co – 0.0073±0.0024 mg/kg, Fe – 177±24 mg/kg, K – 1820±79 mg/kg, Mg – 1840±48 mg/kg, Mn – 0.316±0.013 mg/kg, Na – 4970±87 mg/kg, P – 79.7±1.5 g/kg, Rb – 1.89±0.22 mg/kg, Sr – 312±15 mg/kg, and Zn – 65.9±3.4 mg/kg, respectively. The upper limit of mean contents of Cs, Eu, Hg, Sb, Sc, and Se were Cs≤0.09 mg/kg, Eu≤0.005 mg/kg, Hg≤0.005 mg/kg, Sb≤0.004 mg/kg, Sc≤0.001 mg/kg, and Se≤0.1 mg/kg, respectively. In all bone samples the contents of Ag, As, Au, Ba, Br, Cd, Ce, Cr, Gd, Hf, La, Lu, Nd, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, U, Yb, and Zr were under detection limits.ConclusionsThe Ca, Mg, and P contents decrease with age, regardless of gender. Higher Ca, Mg, P, and Sr mass fractions as well as lower Fe content are typical of female iliac crest as compared to those in male bone.     

Determination of trace elements in aerosol samples by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

Two nuclear techniques, Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis (EDXRF) and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), were used to analyze aerosol samples collected in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Na, Cl, Mn, V, Al, Sm, Mo, W, La, As, Br, Sb, K, Ba, Se, Th, Cr, Rb, Ca, Fe, Ce, and Sc were determined by INAA, and Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Hg, and Pb were determined by EDXRF. A preliminary identification of the main source of the atmospheric aerosol was performed based on enrichment factor and correlation coefficient calculations.

     

The hair of the common hare (Lepus europaeus Pall.) and of the common vole (Microtus arvalis Pall.) as indicator of the environmental pollution

We made the INAA of hair of the common hare (Lepus europaeus Pall.) and of the common vole (Microtus arvalis Pall.) living in the emission zones. Both the hare and the vole are almost exclusively herbivores; they consume relatively large amounts of contaminated food and mirror reliably the contamination degree of the respective ecosystem. The use of free-living animals for the control of the environmental quality may complete effectively the information obtained by examination of habitants. Though the free-living animals lead a rather different way of existence it has been found that the analyses of their hair correlate very well with the analyses of human hair. It may be expected that the changes of concentrations of heavy metals will manifest themselves earlier in animals than in men, because the animals are strictly tied to the local food sources. The hair samples of hares contained increased concentrations of Sm, La, Au, As, Se, Cr, Sc, Fe, Ce, Th and Co. The hair of voles showed increased concentrations of Sm, La, Zn, As, Se, Cr, Sc, Fe, Sb, Ce, Cs and Co. A conspicuous trend towards the cumulation in hair was observed in the following elements: As, Se, Sc and Fe. The increase of their concentrations in the hair of animals from the emission regions amounted as such as to 10(3)%.     

Effects of some rare elements on nicotine content of the tobacco plant

Fifty-four rare elements were tested for their effects on the nicotine level of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants grown in solution culture. Be, Cu, Pd, Pt, and Sm definitely increased nicotine yield (over 25%), whereas Bi, Co, Ho, Pb, Ni, Rb, Ag, Tl, Sn, U. V. and Zr definitely decreased nicotine yield. Cs, Er, Li, Rh, Ru, Se, Sr, Ti, and Yb possibly increased (less than 25%) nicotine yield, whereas As, Ce, Cr, Dy, Gd, I, Mo, Nd, Re, Ta, and Th possibly decreased nicotine yield. Other elements including Al, Ge, Au, Hf, In, Ir, La, Lu, Hg, Os, Pr, Sc, Te, Tb, Tm, W, and Zn showed no significant effects.     

Characterization and Distribution of the Selected Metals in the Scalp Hair of Cancer Patients in Comparison with Normal Donors

Eighteen metals were estimated in the scalp hair samples from cancer patients (n = 111) and normal donors (n = 113). Nitric acid–perchloric acid wet digestion procedure was used for the quantification of the selected metals by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In the scalp hair of cancer patients, highest average levels were found for Ca (861 μg/g), followed by Na (672 μg/g), Zn (411 μg/g), Mg (348 μg/g), Fe (154 μg/g), Sr (129 μg/g), and K (116 μg/g), whereas in comparison, the dominant metals in the scalp hair of normal donors were Ca (568 μg/g), Zn (177 μg/g), Mg (154 μg/g), Fe (110 μg/g), and Na (103 μg/g). The concentrations of Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, and Zn were notably higher in the hair of cancer patients as compared with normal donors, which may lead to a number of physiological disorders. Strong positive correlations were found in Mn–Pb (0.83), Cd–Cr (0.82), Cd–Li (0.57), Fe–Pb (0.56), and Fe–Mn (0.55) in the hair of cancer patients whereas Na–Cd, Li–Cr, Li–Co, Co–Cd, Li–Cd, Na–Co, Na–Li, Ca–Mg and Na–Cr exhibited strong relationships (r > 0.50) in the hair of normal donors. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the data revealed seven PCs, both for cancer patients and normal donors, but with significantly different loadings. Cluster Analysis (CA) was also used to support the PCA results. The study evidenced significantly different pattern of metal distribution in the hair of cancer patients in comparison with normal donors. The role of trace metals in carcinogenesis was also discussed.     

The Selenium Levels of Mothers and Their Neonates Using Hair,Breast Milk,Meconium, and Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood in Van Basin

The objective of the present study is to calculate linear regressions between a mother and her child with respect to their selenium concentration (ng/g) in the following traits: maternal blood and umbilical cord blood, maternal and child hair, maternal milk and child umbilical cord blood, maternal milk and meconium, maternal blood plasma, and child meconium. The data were collected at Research Hospital of the University of Yüzüncü Yıl from 30 pairs of mothers and their newborn baby. The mean maternal serum Se level in 30 mothers was 68.52 ± 3.57 ng/g and cord plasma level was 119.90 ± 18.08 ng/g. The Se concentration in maternal and neonatal hair was 330.84 ± 39.03 and 1,124.76 ± 186.84 ng/g, respectively. The Se concentration of maternal milk at day 14 after delivery was determined as 68.63 ± 7.78 ng/g (n = 13) and the concentration of Se was 418.90 ± 45.49 ng/g (n = 22) for meconium of neonatal. There was no significant difference between maternal blood and milk Se levels. However, hair Se concentration was significantly higher than milk and maternal blood Se level. For each trait comparison, the average absolute difference in log₁₀-transformed Se concentration was calculated between a mother and her child. The observed average absolute difference was compared with a test distribution of 1,000 resampled bootstrap averages where the number of samples was maintained but the relationship between a mother and her child was randomized among samples (α = 0.05).     

Study on air pollution in Beijing’s major industrial areas using multielements in biomonitors and NAA techniques

Three kinds of plant leaves, Chinese white aspen, arborvitae, and pine needles, have been sampled from the Yanshan Oil refinery complex, the Capital Iron and Steel Factory, and Badachu, a control area in Beijing, as biomonitors for air-pollution studies. Each sample was divided into two parts, washed, and unwashed. Thirty-one trace elements (As, Au, Br, Ca, Cd, K, La, Lu, Mo, Na, Sb, Sm, U, W, Yb, Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, Rb, Sc, Se, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, and Zn) have been determined by using the relative and the K₀ methods of instrumental neutron activation analysis (NAA) techniques. The results indicated the following: (1) The concentration of trace elements in unwashed samples are much higher than these in washed samples; (2) the area around Capital Iron and Steel Factory is heavily polluted, and the Yanshan Oil refinery complex area is moderately polluted; (3) Chinese white aspen is a good biomonitor in particular seasons and pine needles are better than arborvitae for yearly monitoring; (4) elements As, Cd, Hg, Co, Rb, Sb, W, and Zn are highly absorbed by Chinese white aspen. Pine needles are sensitive for the absorption the elements Br, Cr, Cd, Fe, Sc, Cs and rare earth elements, but arborvitae is very sensitive for the absorption of Sr.     

Characterization of airborne particulates in bangkok urban area by neutron activation analysis

Samples of airborne particulates were collected in a residential area and in an area near a busy highway in Bangkok during the period from January 1997 to May 1998. A stacked filter system was used for the former site and a Partisol 2000 was used for the latter site. Both 2.5 Μm and 10-Μm particulates were collected every week. The total suspended particulate matters were also collected at the latter site. The samples were analyzed by neutron activation analysis utilizing neutron flux from a 2-MW TRIGA MARK III research reactor. The elements most frequently detected in the airborne particulates were Al, As, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, I, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Th, Ti, V, and Zn. The enrichment factor and factor analysis were used to investigate trends, sources, and origin of the atmospheric aerosols. Anthropogenic elements in road dust, construction dust, motor vehicles emission, and other combustion components were identified. A comparative study of data between both sites was performed and it was found that the mass concentration in the area close to the highway was about three times higher than in the residential area.     

The Content of Selected Chemical Elements in the Hair of Young Men of the Bantu Language Group from Tanzania Versus Environmental and Social Conditioning

Research works that would determine the content of chemical elements in black population organisms on the basis of hair analysis are not numerous. There are no studies referring to black populations living in indigenous environment, like the Mafinga region, Iringa District in Tanzania examined by us. The aim of the study performed was to analyse the content of chemical elements Fe, Ca, Mg, Zn and Cu in easily available biological media like hair. The material was collected in October 2005 and March 2006 during anthropological examination, which came from young males (n = 91), students of a secondary school. Large Ca concentration range was found for the total number of subjects (680.20 to 2,089.70 μg/g d.m.). Mean Fe content in hair for the total number of subjects was 11.19 ± 3.70 μg/g d.m., while that of Mg 6.84 ± 2.02 μg/g d.m. Mean Zn concentration for the total number of subjects was 91.06 ± 39.22 μg/g d.m., being significantly higher in younger group than in older one (p = 0.039). Mean Cu concentration in hair for the total number of subjects was 7.50 ± 2.90 μg/g d.m Body mass index (BMI = kg/m²) was calculated for the subjects showing that out of 91 men participating in the study 15.4% was characterised by mediocre nutrition. No statistically significant correlations were found between BMI and the analysed chemical elements. The analysis of the content of trace elements in the hair of the examined young males showed deficiencies in Zn, Cu, Fe and significantly in Mg.     

Elemental analysis of herbal preparations for traditional medicines by neutron activation analysis with the k0 standardization method

Medicinal herb preparations prescribed for specific treatment purposes were purchased from markets and were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis withk ₀ standardization. Then, 500–700 mg of each sample was pelletized under a pressure of six tones and irradiated together with monitors for a and neutron flux ratio determinations for about 6 h in a thermal flux of 2.29 x 10¹² n/cm²/s. The accuracy of the method was established by analyzing standard reference materials. Twenty-nine elements, Ag, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Mn, Mo, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Th, U, Yb, and Zn, were measured in all the samples, and Hg was detected in some samples, with good accuracy and reproducibility. The concentration of elements determined was found to vary depending on the composition of the herbs used. Although the trend linking the element of the medicinal plants to its curative abilities could not be clearly determined, this study showed that the toxic elements found in the samples were below the levels prescribed by health regulations. Nevertheless, such data are important to understand the pharmacological action and the exact mechanisms of action and formation of active constituents for each medicinal plant and to decide the dosage of the herbs used in the final formulation.     

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.     

Multielement determination in rice,wheat, and barley by instrumental neutron activation analysis

INAA has been used for the determination of Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Sc, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, and W in grains of rice, wheat, and barley, which were collected from different plant fields in Iraq. Samples and standards were irradiated in the IRT-5000 reactor, at neutron fluxes of 2 × 10¹³ cm⁻²·s⁻¹ and 3.2 × 10¹¹ cm⁻²·s⁻¹. Interferences of photopeaks with each other were considered, and reaction interferences were calculated and determined experimentally. Accuracy of our method was assessed by the analysis of IAEA standards Wheat Flour and Bovine liver. A good agreement has been achieved between the present results and recommended values. The precision and detection limit were determined for all elements in all types of grain.     

Influence of the coat color on the trace elemental status measured by particle-induced x-ray emission in horse hair

The influence of hair color on the trace elemental status in horse's hair has been studied. A current analytical technique such as particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) used in this study has provided reliable, rapid, easy, and relatively inexpensive diagnostic methods. Twenty-eight elements (Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Y, and Zn) in mane hair were detected by the PIXE method. The gray hair contains significantly greter amounts of Cu, Ti, and Zn, and lower amounts of Br, Ca, Se, and Sr than those in other colored horse hairs (p<0.05). Those results measured in the horse's hair were similar to those found in human and dog hair. When interpreting a result, it should be kept in mind that hair color, especially gray hair, influences the concentrations of some elements in horse hair.     

Competitive inhibition and selectivity enhancement by Ca in the uptake of inorganic elements (Be, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Sc, Mn, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ce, Pm, Gd, Hf) by carrot (Daucus carota cv. U.S. harumakigosun)

We investigated the uptake of inorganic elements (Be, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Sc, Mn, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ce, Pm, Gd, and Hf) and the effect of Ca on their uptake in carrots (Daucus carota cv. U.S. harumakigosun) by the radioactive multitracer technique. The experimental results suggested that Na, Mg, K, and Rb competed for the functional groups outside the cells in roots with Ca but not for the transporter-binding sites on the plasma membrrane of the root cortex cells. In contrast, Y, Ce, Pm, and Gd competed with Ca for the transporters on the plasma membrane. The selectivity, which was defined as the value obtained by dividing the concentration ratio of an elemental pair, K/Na, Rb/Na, Be/Sr, and Mg/Sr, in the presence of 0.2 and 2 ppm Ca by that of the corresponding elemental pair in the absence of Ca in the solution was estimated. The selectivity of K and Rb in roots was increased in the presence of Ca. The selectivity of Be in roots was not affected, whereas the selectivity of Mg was increased by Ca. These observations suggest that the presence of Ca in the uptake solution enhances the selectivity in the uptake of metabolically important elements against unwanted elements.     

Selenium Distribution in Camel Blood and Organs After Different Level of Dietary Selenium Supplementation

Eight young female camels shared in four groups of two 2 years received a basal diet enriched respectively with 0, 2, 4, and 8 mg selenium under sodium selenite form for 64 days. Feed intake was assessed daily; blood samples were taken on weekly basis. One camel from each group was killed at the end of the experiment. Se concentration in serum was increased significantly in the supplemented groups with an average of 176.3 ± 18.0 ng/mL in the control group, 382.7 ± 107.6 in the group receiving 2 mg Se, 519.8 ± 168.4 in the group receiving 4 mg Se, and 533.4 ± 158.6 in the group receiving 8 mg Se daily. For glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, the control group (51.0 IU/g Hb) and the group receiving 2 mg (50.5 IU/g Hb) were significantly different than groups receiving 4 and 8 mg (respectively, 65.9 and 76.1 IU/g Hb). No significant variation occurred for vitamin E (mean, 0.56 ± 0.23 ng/mL). Significant correlation between serum Se and GSH-Px was reported. Kidney was the richest organ in selenium followed by lung, spleen, and liver, but the increase in supplemented groups was more marked in liver and kidney. The hair seemed to be the best indicator of selenium intake in camel.     

Characteristics of Se-Enriched Mycelia by Stropharia rugoso-annulata and its Antioxidant Activities in vivo

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and animals. Stropharia rugoso-annulata is a nutritional and functional mushroom containing many kinds of bioactive ingredients. The aims of this study were to investigate the Se-enrichment characteristics of S. rugoso-annulata in submerged culture and evaluate the antioxidant activities of Se-enriched mycelia in vivo in terms of the values of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The optimum parameters of Se-enrichment under the optimal Se concentration (150 μg/mL) in media were as follows: biomass 8.11 ± 0.25 g/L, Se content in mycelia 4,727.68 ± 13 μg/g, Se-accumulated rate 24.68 ± 1.67%, and percentage of organic Se 96.27 ± 3.26%. The mainly subsistent forms of selenium in Se-enriched mycelia were selenoprotein and selenium-polysaccharide. The contents of total amino acids (TAA) and essential amino acids (EAA) in Se-enriched mycelia were increased by 13.5 ± 1.09% and 12.8 ± 0.89%, respectively. It was efficient for Se-enriched mycelia to elevate GSH-Px and SOD activities and decrease MDA content. These results indicated that Se-enriched mycelia of S. rugoso-annulata represent a novel dietary source of bioavailable supplemental selenium.     

Mass Fractions of 52 Trace Elements and Zinc/Trace Element Content Ratios in Intact Human Prostates Investigated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Contents of 52 trace elements in intact prostate of 64 apparently healthy 13?C60-year-old men (mean age 36.5?years) were investigated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mean values (M ± S????) for mass fraction (in milligrams per kilogram, on dry-weight basis) of trace elements were as follows: Ag 0.041?±?0.005, Al 36?±?4, Au 0.0039?±?0.0007, B 0.97?±?0.13, Be 0.00099?±?0.00006, Bi 0.021?±?0.008, Br 29?±?3, Cd 0.78?±?0.09, Ce 0.028?±?0.004, Co 0.035?±?0.003, Cs 0.034?±?0.003, Dy 0.0031?±?0.0005, Er 0.0018?±?0.0004, Gd 0.0030?±?0.0005, Hg 0.046?±?0.006, Ho 0.00056?±?0.00008, La 0.074?±?0.015, Li 0.040?±?0.004, Mn 1.53?±?0.09, Mo 0.30?±?0.03, Nb 0.0051?±?0.0009, Nd 0.013?±?0.002, Ni 4.3?±?0.7, Pb 1.8?±?0.4, Pr 0.0033?±?0.0004, Rb 15.9?±?0.6, Sb 0.040?±?0.005, Se 0.73?±?0.03, Sm 0.0027?±?0.0004, Sn 0.25?±?0.05, Tb 0.00043?±?0.00009, Th 0.0024?±?0.0005, Tl 0.0014?±?0.0001, Tm 0.00030?±?0.00006, U 0.0049?±?0.0014, Y 0.019?±?0.003, Yb 0.0015?±?0.0002, Zn 782?±?97, and Zr 0.044?±?0.009, respectively. The upper limit of mean contents of As, Cr, Eu, Ga, Hf, Ir, Lu, Pd, Pt, Re, Ta, and Ti were the following: As ??0.018, Cr ??0.64, Eu ??0.0006, Ga ??0.08, Hf ??0.02, Ir ??0.0004, Lu ??0.00028, Pd ??0.007, Pt ??0.0009, Re ??0.0015, Ta ??0.005, and Ti ??2.6. In all prostate samples, the content of Te was under detection limit (<0.003). Additionally, ratios of the Zn content to other trace element contents as well as correlations between Zn and trace elements were calculated. Our data indicate that the human prostate accumulates such trace elements as Al, Au, B, Br, Cd, Cr, Ga, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, U, and Zn. No special relationship between Zn and other trace elements was found.     

Determination of 19 elements in human eye lenses

Neutron activation analysis was used to determine the concentrations of 19 elements in normal and senile human cataractous lenses. It was found that the concentrations of Ca, Na, Cl, Eu, Sb, and Fe were significantly higher, and those of K, Rb, Cs, Cr, Mn, Co, Sc, and Ce were significantly lower in senile mature cataractous lenses than those in normal human eye lenses. No changes were found for the concentrations of Se, Zn, Mg, S, and Th in the two groups. Positive correlations between Na, Cl, and Ca and K, Rb, and Cs were found, whereas a significantly negative correlation between na, Ca, Cl and K, Rb, Cs were found. The roles of these elements in the evolution of cataract are discussed.