The Effect of Age on 12 Chemical Element Contents in the Intact Prostate of Adult Men Investigated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry

The effect of age on 12 chemical element contents in intact prostate of 64 apparently healthy, 13-60-year-old men (mean age 36.5 years) was investigated by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) for mass fraction (milligrams/kilogram, on dry weight basis) of Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Sr, and Zn were: Ba 1.18 ± 0.12, Ca 2,178 ± 160, Cu 10.7 ± 0.9, Fe 122 ± 5, K 12,530 ± 360, Mg 1,100 ± 70, Na 10,470 ± 320, P 7,580 ± 300, S 8,720 ± 180, Sr 1.85 ± 0.28, and Zn 782 ± 97, respectively. The upper limit of mean content of V was ≤0.22 mg/kg. A tendency of age-related increase in Ca, Fe, Na, and Zn mass fraction as well an increase in Zn/Ba, Zn/Ca, Zn/Cu, Zn/Fe, Zn/K, Zn/Mg, Zn/Na, Zn/P, Zn/S, and Zn/Sr ratios in prostate was observed. A significant positive correlation was seen between the prostatic zinc and Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Na, and P contents.     

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.     

Effects of adrenalectomy and of adrenal hormones on the tissue distribution of 14 elements in the rat

The effects of adrenalectomy (ADY) and of replacement therapy using a mineralocorticoid, deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and a glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (DEX) on the tissue distribution of elements in the rat, were studied under semichronic conditions. The elements, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, S, P, Rb, Sr, Mn, Cu, and Zn were determined in whole blood, plasma, brain liver, kidney, heart, skeletal muscle, spleen, thymus, and bone. Additionally Mo was determined in kidney and liver and Ba in bone. ADY modified concentrations of all elements tested. Small changes were observed for K, Mg, Ca, S, and P, whereas much larger changes were noted for Na, Rb, and Sr. Cu, Zn, and Fe were mainly modified in liver and kidney, organs involved in storage and/or elimination. The consequences of ADY were corrected fairly well by DEX for Mg, Mn, Ca, Cu, and Mo; by DOC for Na and K, and by the two corticoids for Zn, Fe, Sr, and Rb. This study revealed that corticoids, mainly glucocorticoids, play an important role in the plasma and tissue balance of elements. It is suggested that these results may have a pathological and clinical significance.     

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.     

湘西地区木通果实微量元素的测定

采用马弗炉干法灰化消化样品,火馅原子吸收法连续测定白木通Akebia trifoliata var.australis (Cieli._Kehd、三叶木通A.trifoliata(Thumb.)Koidz、木通A.quinata Decne.果实中微量金属元素,检测出K,Ca,Na,Mg,Fe,Zn,Mn,Cu等8种元素含量。3种植物果实中K,Ca,Mg含量较高(＞0．1000mg/g),其中K元素远高于其他元素,Na,Cu含量较低(＜0．0100mg/g)。Fe,Zn,Mn的含量处于中等水平。白木通果实中K,Me,Zn,Mn 4种矿质元素高于三叶木通和木通。木通果实中Ca,Fe两种元素稍高于白木通、三叶木通。Na,Cu两种微量元素在3种果实中含量基本相拟。     

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.     

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.     

Effects of thyroparathyroidectomy and of thyroxin and calcitonin on the tissue distribution of twelve elements in the rat

The effects of thyroparathyroidectomy (TPTY) and of replacement therapy using thyroxin (T4) and calcitonin (CT) on the tissue distribution of elements were studied in the rat under semichronic conditions. The elements Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, S, P, Rb, Sr, Mn, Cu, and Zn were determined in whole blood, plasma, brain, liver, heart, kidney, skeletal muscle, and bone. TPTY modified concentrations of all elements tested but only small changes were observed for K, Mg, S, and P. The mineral bone composition was slightly modified, 28 d after TPTY, whereas plasma was the most altered. The consequences of TPTY were corrected fairly well by T4 for Na, Cu, Zn, Fe, and S, and by CT for K, P, Rb but with less efficiency for Ca. This study revealed that hormones of the thyroid gland, mainly T4, play an important role in the plasma and tissue balance of elements. It is suggested that T4 participates in tissue fixation of Cu, Zn, and Fe and that CT influences phosphoremia and cellular Ca binding.     

川东红池坝地区红三叶和鸭茅人工草地土壤和植物营养元素含量特征的研究

川东红池坝地区红三叶（Ｔｒｉｆｏｌｉｕｍｐｒａｔｅｎｓｅ）和鸭茅（Ｄａｃｔｙｌｉｓｇｌｏｍｅｒａｔａ）人工草地土壤和植物营养元素的含量特征如下：（１）土壤中的元素含量以铁、钾和镁较高,钠、钙、氮、锰和磷较低,硫、锌、硼、铜和钼微少;（２）从元素的富集特征来看,该区土壤中的钙、硫为重度淋溶元素,钾、磷、镁、锌、钠为中度淋溶元素,铁、铜属轻度淋溶元素,锰属富集元素;（３）根据元素的生物吸收系列,红三叶属氮－钙型植物,鸭茅属氮－钾－磷型植物。（４）两种牧草的生物吸收系数,均以钙、硫、磷较高,钠、铁较低,其余７种元素介于二者之间。     

Distribution of 14 elements in various rat tissues following hypophysectomy,thyroparathyroidectomy, adrenalectomy,and castration

The tissue distribution of 14 elements was simulatneously determined in rats 28 d after hypophysectomy (HPY), thyroparathyroidectomy (TPTY), adrenalectomy (ADY), and castration (CTN). The elements Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, S, P, Rb, Sr, Mn, Cu, and Zn were investigated in whole blood, plasma, brain, liver, kidney, heart, skeletal muscle, and bone. Additionally Mo was determined in kidney and liver. The following results were obtained: 1) With regard to hormone deficiency: HPY induced the most noticeable, variations on all the elements tested owing probably to the direct and indirect effects of adenohypophyseal hormones. ADY led to the expected modification of Na and K but also to a Sr accumulation and a Rb depletion. TPTY induced a sharp decrease in plasma and tissues Ca, an increase in plasma P, but did not disturb the two elements in bone. An increase of Rb in many tissues and of Fe in heart, kidney, and liver were also observed. CTN had little consequences except in bone whose Cu and Fe contents were increased: 2) With regard to element variations: K, Mg, and S underwent little change. Discriminations were revealed between elements such as K and Rb, Ca and Sr, Ca and Mg, and Cu and Zn. The changes of Rb and Sr were consistent with regulatory mechanisms. The accumulation of Fe and Cu in tissues such as liver after HPY, TPTY, and ADY, suggest that the hormonal deficiencies could worsen the hemochromatosis with Wilson's disease; 3), With regard to plasma and tissues: No correlation appeared in element levels between plasma and other tissues. Brain was the least affected and liver, kidney and bone the most.     

Serum concentrations of macro and trace elements in heroin addicts of the Canary islands

Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Cu, Zn and Se concentrations were determined in the serum of 106 heroin addicts and were compared with the concentrations obtained in a control group formed of 186 apparently healthy individuals. Heroin addicts displayed K and Se mean concentrations lower (p < 0.05), and Na, Mg, P mean concentrations and a Cu/Zn ratio higher (p < 0.05) than those mean values observed in the control group. The Mg and P concentrations in the serum of heroin addicts tended to normalize when age increased. The heroin addicts included in the methadone maintenance treatment program had higher serum mean concentrations of K and Mg than the heroin addicts in the detoxification process. The Na, K and Mg concentrations displayed highly significant correlations, with a different behavior for the heroin addicts group and the control group. When applying factor analysis and representing the scores of the first and second factors, the heroin addicts tended to differentiation from the control group. However, methadone substitution treatment was not able to normalize these concentrations.     

Age-related effects of major and trace element concentrations in rat liver and their mutual relationships

The concentrations of 22 major and trace elements in livers from rats aging from 5 to 113 weeks old were determined. The rats investigated were the same rats previously reported with respect to 29 elements in bones (femur) and 26 elements in kidneys. The samples were decomposed with high-purity nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Seven elements (Na, Mg, P, K, Ca, Fe and Zn) were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and 15 elements (Mn, Co, Cu, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Pb and Bi) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for age variations indicated that the concentrations of many elements, such as Mg, P, K, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sr, Mo and Cd, were almost constant across the ages of the rats with the exception of 5 weeks old (p > 0.05). Arsenic, Pb and Bi showed significant increasing trends, while Na and Co showed decreasing trends (p < 0.01). Selenium showed a decreasing trend except at the initial stage of 5–9 weeks old. Calcium, Rb, Sn, Sb, Cs and Ba showed significant age-related variations, but their patterns were not monotonic. The liver clearly contrasts with the kidneys, in which many elements showed significant age-related variations with increasing trends. The concentration ranges of Mg, P, K, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Mo were controlled within 15% across all ages of rats. The homeostasis of the aforementioned elements may be well established in the liver. The toxic elements, such as Cd, Pb and Bi, showed a narrow concentration range among age-matched rats.     

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.     

Serum trace element levels in HIV-infected subjects

The absolute number of T4 cells and the serum concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, P, Se, and Zn were determined in 59 Walter-Reed staged, HIV-infected men, compared to healthy controls, serum levels of Ca, Cu, and Fe were significantly higher, those of P and Se significantly lower in the HIV-infected subjects. In the HIV-infected cases, but not in the controls, the concentrations of Se and Zn, of Ca with Cu and Fe, and of Fe with P, were directly correlated. In the controls, the correlation between the levels of K and Mg was direct, and inverse between those of Zn and P. Trace element levels did not significantly correlate with WR-stage. However, the absolute number of T4 cells was directly correlated with the serum Mg concentration.     

The importance of belowground mineral element stores in cattails (Typha latifolia L.)

We measured the amount of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, B, Mn, Na, Sr, Cu and Zn in above- and belowground parts of cattails (Typha latifolia L.) every 2 weeks during the growing season (April–October) in plants growing in a marsh on the shore of Lake Mendota, Wisconsin. Elements differed considerably in their distribution between above- and belowground parts and the amount of apparent exchange between parts. The ratio of the amount of an element in aboveground plant parts to that belowground (A:B) was between 1:1 and 2:1 for most elements, as compared with the 2.2:1 ratio of biomass. The maximum amounts of Fe and Zn belowground exceeded their aboveground maxima, while K, Ca and Mn had A:B ratios greater than 2:1. N, P and K in belowground plant parts decreased considerably during the spring, and belowground decreases were large enough to be potentially important sources of these elements for shoot growth. Belowground stores of Ca, Mg, Mn, Na and Sr decreased little in the spring and do not function as reserves.     

A search for trace elements in some human intracranial tumors by instrumental neutron activation analysis

A investigation was undertaken to measure the presence of trace elements in some intracranial tumors using the instrumental neutron activation analysis technique. The following 20 minor and trace elements were investigated: Na, Mg, Al, P, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sb, I, and Cs. Our results are compared with other trace element analyses in human brain tissue.     

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.     

微波消解-FAAS法分析并比较旱芹(Apium graveolens L.)不同部位八种金属元素的含量

采用微波消解法处理旱芹根、茎、叶,并用火焰原子吸收法测定其中的Na、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn、Zn、Cu 8种金属元素的含量。结果表明:旱芹中富含人体必需的Na、K、Mg、Fe、Ca等元素,各元素在不同部位含量有一定差异。Fe元素在旱芹根中含量为883.57μg.g-1,明显高于茎和叶;Ca、Zn和Mn元素在旱芹叶中的含量分别为11 103.74,214.04,88.07μg.g-1,明显高于茎和根;K、Na和Mg元素在旱芹茎中的含量高于根和叶中,Cu元素含量在各部位差异不大。方法的加标回收率为96.8%～105.8%,相对标准偏差(RSD)≤3.36%。     

Chemometric Evaluation of Elemental Imbalances in the Scalp Hair of Valvular Heart Disease Patients in Comparison with Healthy Donors

The present study deals with the plausible association between the trace elemental imbalances and the emergence of valvular heart disease (VHD). A total of 14 elements including Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Sr and Zn in the scalp hair of VHD patients and healthy donors were analysed by flame atomic absorption spectrophometry employing wet acid digestion methodology. Median levels of Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Sr in the scalp hair of patients were significantly higher compared to those of the healthy donors, while the median concentrations of K and Na were found to be considerably higher in the scalp hair of the healthy donors. In addition, substantially elevated Cu/Zn value in patients indicated the prevalence of inflammatory processes inside the body. The correlation coefficients among the elements in the hair of VHD patients were significantly diverse compared to those of the healthy donors. Multivariate statistical methods showed noticeably dissimilar apportionment of the elements in the two groups. Variations in the elemental levels were also observed with gender, habitat, dietary/smoking habits and occupations of both donor groups. Overall, the study revealed significant imbalances among the essential and toxic elements in the scalp hair of VHD patients compared to those of the healthy subjects.     

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.