Aluminium, Cadmium and Lead Concentration in the Hair of Tobacco Smokers

In the research, the contents of heavy metals, Al, Cd and Pb, in the hair of individuals who reside in similar environmental conditions were spectrometrically determined with the use of atomic emission spectrometry–inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer. The relation to their tobacco smoking habit, age and sex was established. It was observed that the level of all three determined elements was generally higher in the hair of smokers in comparison to hair of non-smokers in both younger and older age groups. In addition, it has been observed that, in the group of elderly people over 50 years old, there was an increase in the content of aluminium, cadmium and lead both in smokers and non-smokers, irrespective of their sex. The sex-related differences in the content of the investigated elements were not unidirectional, and only in few cases did they reveal statistical significance.     

Interaction Between Zinc, Cadmium, and Lead in Scalp Hair Samples of Pakistani and Irish Smokers Rheumatoid Arthritis Subjects in Relation to Controls

The incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with cigarette smoking. The aim of our study was to assess the trace essential and toxic metals, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), in scalp hair samples of 32 Irish and 46 Pakistani smokers and non-smokers RA male patients with age range 42-56 years. For comparison purpose, the scalp hair samples of 27 Irish and 55 Pakistani non-RA male subjects of the same age group were collected. The concentrations of trace and toxic elements were measured by inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer and atomic absorption spectrophotometer prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of the methodology was checked using certified reference materials and using conventional wet acid digestion method on the same certified reference materials (CRMs). The recovery of all studied elements was found to be in the range of 97.5-99.7% of certified reference values of CRMs. The results of this study showed that the mean values of Cd and Pb were significantly higher in scalp hair samples of both smoker and non-smoker RA patients than in referents (P < 0.001), whereas the concentration of Zn was lower in the scalp hair samples of smokers and non-smokers rheumatoid arthritis patients. The deficiency of Zn and the high exposure of Cd and Pb as a result of cigarette smoking may be synergistic risk factors associated with rheumatoid arthritis.     

Lead,Cadmium and Zinc in Hair Samples: Relationship with Dietary Habits and Urban Environment

This study was performed in order to analyze the relationships between hair zinc, lead, and cadmium with the kind of diet consumed (by recall of the diet consumed the previous 14 days), living area (urban or rural), tobacco smoking, and body mass index (BMI) among 419 individuals of the Canary Archipelago. Median values and interquartile range were 43 μg/g (18.50–132.50) for zinc, 4.09 μg/g (2.19–8.38) for lead, and 0.128 μg/g (0.05–0.30) for cadmium. We observed that hair zinc was markedly elevated among those consuming fish more frequently and, to a lesser amount, among those who consumed meat frequently, among those living in urban areas, and among those with BMI over 25 kg/m², keeping a significant relationship with BMI. Hair lead was also higher among fish consumers, showed a trend to higher values among inhabitants of urban areas, and was lower among obese individuals. Hair cadmium was higher among those who consumed less vegetables and fruits. By multivariate analysis, introducing the variables meat, fish, and vegetable consumption, urban/rural; sex; age; and BMI values, we observed that fish consumption (beta?=?0.15) was the only variable independently associated to higher zinc levels; fish consumption (beta?=?0.15) and meat consumption (beta?=?0.17) were related to high cadmium levels, whereas meat consumption was significantly associated to higher hair lead levels (beta?=?0.15). Therefore, we conclude that hair zinc, cadmium, and lead seem to depend more heavily on dietary habits than on tobacco consumption or living in rural or urban areas.     

西番莲对镉、铅的吸收累积特性

以紫果西番莲和黄果西番莲为试材进行盆栽试验,研究镉、铅处理后西番莲体内镉、铅含量变化。结果表明,镉、铅在西番莲体内分布的一般规律是枝蔓> 叶> 果。不同品种西番莲的镉含量未见显著差异,而铅含量则呈显著差异。西番莲枝蔓和叶对镉、铅的吸收量分别随着各自处理浓度的增加而增加;统计显示,西番莲枝蔓和叶的镉、铅含量与各自土壤的添加量呈极显著正相关。值得注意的是,西番莲对镉有较强的吸收能力(枝蔓和叶对土壤镉的富集系数均大于1),而对铅的吸收能力较差。在本试验中,铅处理浓度为1 000 mg/kg时,西番莲果实可食部分铅的含量也低于无公害果品标准,说明西番莲作为果树生产时,即使在铅含量较高的污染土上种植,也是安全的;但要特别注意镉的污染风险。     

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 Exposure to Lead and Cadmium in Sweden

Abstract

A duplicate diet study on male and female pensioners in 1970–71 showed mean daily dietary lead intakes of 30 μg and 19 μg respectively. The corresponding cadmium intakes were 10.5μg and 12.9 μg. Analysis of duplicate diets collected during seven consecutive 24-hour periods from 15 women in Stockholm in 1988 showed a mean daily lead intake of 26 μg (range 13–40 μg). The corresponding cadmium intake was 8.5μg (range 5.7–14 μg). Analysis of faeces samples corresponding to the duplicate diets showed similar lead and cadmium contents (mean lead content 24 μg day^?1, range 10–41 μg day^?1; mean cadmium content 8.9 μg day^?1 range 5.5–12 μg day^?1). The median lead and cadmium concentrations in human milk collected in Uppsala were 2 μg kg^?1 and 0.1 mg kg^?1 respectively. The median weekly intakes of lead and cadmium by the breast-fed infants were calculated to be 2 μg kg^?1 body weight and 0.1 μg kg^?1 body weight. Analysis of seven daily diets, together representing the weekly diet of an adult Swedish male, showed a mean lead content of 26 μg (range 15–45 μg), and a mean cadmium content of 10 μg (range 7–15 μg). The mean daily intakes of lead and cadmium found by analysing market baskets prepared in 1987 were 17μg and 12μg respectively. Calculations based on food balance sheet data and levels of lead and cadmium in individual foods showed mean daily intakes of 30 μg lead and 14 μg cadmium per person.     

High Levels of Cadmium and Lead in Seminal Fluid and Blood of Smoking Men are Associated with High Oxidative Stress and Damage in Infertile Subjects

We measured the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and reducte glutathione (GSH) in seminal plasma and spermatozoa from 95 subjects including 50 infertile patients to evaluate the association between oxidative stress and damage and the components of the anti-oxidant defenses in seminal plasma and spermatozoa of infertile subjects and concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in the blood and seminal plasma because of tobacco smoke exposure. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) in spermatozoa were also evaluated by luminol (5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione)-enhanced chemiluminescence assay. The sperm count, motility, and morphology in the smokers infertile group were found to be lower than those in the fertile male group and nonsmokers infertile group (p < 0.001). Concentrations of Cd, Pb, MDA, protein carbonyls, and ROS levels in the smokers infertile group were significantly higher than those in the fertile male and nonsmokers infertile male groups (p < 0.001). However, GSH levels and GST activities were decreased in the smokers infertile male group than those in the fertile male and nonsmokers infertile male groups (p < 0.001). The results indicate that smoking could affect semen quality and oxidative lipid and protein damage in human spermatozoa. From Pearson correlation analysis, positive correlations were demonstrated between the seminal plasma Cd and seminal plasma protein carbonyls and between seminal plasma Pb and spermatozoa ROS levels in smokers of the subfertile group, while there was a significant positive correlation between blood Cd and ROS levels in smokers of the fertile group. There was also a significant negative correlation of the Cd level of the blood and GSH levels of the sperm and seminal plasma. These findings suggest that cigarette smoking enhances the levels of Cd and Pb in seminal plasma and blood and the extent of oxidative damage associated with a decrease in components of the anti-oxidant defenses in the sperm of infertile males.     

Phasing Out Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury

Large stocks of metals have accumulated in the urban technosphere (i.e., the physical environment altered by human activity). To minimize health and environmental risks, attempts were begun in the 1980s to phase out the use of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg). To study the effect of this attempt, we conducted substance flow analyses (SFAs) in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1995 and in 2002–2003, which allow a comparison of the results over time.
The SFAs showed a reduction in the stocks of Cd and Hg by approximately 25% to 30% between 1995 and 2002–2003. For Pb, the stock development was more uncertain. Cd and Hg inflow was substantially reduced during this period, but Pb inflow increased. Amounts of Cd and Pb in waste were still large, whereas Hg flows in waste were decreasing. Furthermore, although emissions of Pb decreased, Cd and Hg emissions were in the same range as in 1995.
The application of SFAs has provided unique data on the accumulation of metals in the Stockholm technosphere, thus serving as a valuable indicator of how the phasing out progresses. The changes can be related to regulations, initiatives by industries and organizations, and the proactive attitude of the local environmental authorities and of the water company.     

Dietary Monitoring Studies on Lead and Cadmium Exposures in Poland

Abstract

The dietary intake of metals, especially lead and cadmium, in some regions of Poland exceeds Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) allowances established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). This is mostly due to increased environmental pollution.

The results of dietary monitoring studies to determine the heavy metals content in daily diets and in selected food products are described.     

Preparation and Characterization of Artificial Antigens for Cadmium and Lead

Cadmium and lead were conjugated to two carrier proteins using a bifunctional chelator [2-(4-aminobenzyl)-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid] to synthesize artificial antigens for cadmium and lead. The techniques, including ultraviolet spectrometry, circular dichroism, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, were utilized for characterizing the artificial antigens. The results of ultraviolet spectrometry showed characteristic absorption peak shifts between conjugates and carrier proteins. Circular dichroism resulted that the second structure of the conjugates was ??-helix. The sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis results revealed the differences of band migration and molecular weight among antigens, chelator protein conjugate, and carrier proteins. The result of coupling ratios revealed that the metal content of the antigens was much higher than that of carrier proteins. These results indicated that the artificial antigens of cadmium and lead were synthesized successfully and had potential application in immunoassays of cadmium and lead ions.     

Absorption of Cadmium and Lead Ions by Gametophyte of the MossPlagiomnium undulatum

A cytochemical analysis of heavy-metal distribution was used to establish an increased ability of the marginal and midrib cells of moss leaves to accumulate metal ions from solutions of lead and cadmium nitrate. The adjacent leaf cells accumulated metal ions more slowly. As shown by the color reaction produced by metal–dithizone complex, the concentration of the absorbed metal ions in the cells increased more than 100-fold as compared to the salt concentration in the solution. The morphological differentiation of the marginal and midrib cells was closely related to the cytosolic pH value and the absorption capacity of cells. Metal ions absorbed in excess of the capacity of absorption sites were not bound by cells and readily washed out.     

Correlation of Hair Mineral Concentrations with Insulin Resistance in Korean Males

Calcium and magnesium that are associated with insulin resistance play an antagonistic role with each other in cells. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between hair mineral concentrations and insulin resistance in Korean adult males. A total of 123 male subjects (63 patients with metabolic syndrome and 60 normal control patients) were recruited and fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, as well as HDL cholesterol levels, HOMA-IR, and hair mineral concentrations were measured. The ratio of calcium/magnesium in hair showed a significantly positive correlation with the HOMA-IR (r?=?0.191, P?=?0.038) and insulin (r?=?0.198, P?=?0.031). The result of multiple regression analysis after adjusting the age also showed a significant correlation of the Ca/Mg ratio with HOMA-IR (R ²?=?0.115, P?=?0.047). The hair chromium concentration was lower in the metabolic syndrome group than in the control group, and it showed a significantly negative correlation with the fasting blood glucoseand the triglyceride. The result of this study showed that insulin resistance increased as the ratio of Ca/Mg increased, or as the chromium concentration in hair decreased.     

Psychophysical and Psychohedonic Functions of Four Common Food Flavours in Elderly Subjects

This study was designed to determine the cause of potentialdifferences in optimal preferred flavour concentrations in fourcommon food items between young and elderly subjects. The mainobjective was to investigate whether the differences in concentration-pleasantnessfunctions could be attributed to differences in concentration-intensity(psychophysical) functions, or to differences in intensity-pleasantness(psychohedonic) functions. Groups of elderly subjects (n = 31)and young subjects (n = 25) judged four series of food items(bouillon, tomato soup, chocolate custard and orange lemonade),each with five geometrically spaced flavour concentration levels.In addition, all participants judged a series of grey surfacesas a reference series. Stimuli were judged on a 10-point scalewith respect to perceived intensity and pleasantness. The resultsshowed that the responses to the various stimuli in the seriesof grey surfaces were almost equivalent for young and elderlysubjects. The older subjects had higher optimal flavour concentrationsthan young subjects for each of the four food items. The differencescould be attributed to differences in both psychophysical andpsychohedonic functions for all four flavours. However, changesin psychohedonic functions were less pronounced for the savouryflavours than for the sweet flavours. The higher optimal preferredflavour concentration level for the elderly could be partlyexplained by the phenomenon that the elderly need higher concentrationlevels than young subjects in order to obtain a similar perceivedintensity level. Chem. Senses, 21: 293ndash;302, 1996.     

Prevalence and Factors Associated with High Levels of Aluminum,Arsenic, Cadmium,Lead, and Mercury in Hair Samples of Well-Nourished Thai Children in Bangkok and Perimeters

Biological Trace Element Research - Toxic element exposure increases risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, hair element profiles of well-nourished urban resident children were largely...     

The Bioadsorption of Cadmium and Lead by Bacteria in Root Exudates Culture

Microorganisms are important for phytoremediation of soil contaminated with heavy metals. In the present study, bacteria Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Alcaligenes sp., and Flavobacterium sp. isolated from the Zhangshi Irrigation Area were applied to bioadsorbed Cd and Pb in liquid cultures with root exudates of sunflower as a sole carbon source. The experimental data demonstrated that these bacteria had a high potential of enrichment of Cd and Pb, and Bacillus sp. and Alcaligenes sp. had better ability to accumulate Cd or Pb than the others; the distinct bioadsorption of Cd and Pb by bacteria might depend on the physiology of bacteria, categories of heavy metals, and environmental factors (such as pH). In addition, root exudates of sunflower could not only support the growth of these bacteria, but also influence the toxicity and bioavailability of Cd and Pb. Our results indicated that amendment with bacteria isolated from heavy-metal-polluted soil and root exudates could be considered as a potential approach to enhance the phytoremediation of Cd- or Pb-contaminated soil.     

Symptoms of Depression in Elderly Korean Immigrants: Narration and the Healing Process

This paper explores ways in which depressive symptoms are expressed by elderly Korean immigrants in the USA. Depressed elderly Korean immigrants in the Washington DC area were interviewed in depth to explore their conceptualizations of depression in terms of explanatory models and semantic networks. The expressions of depressive symptoms were influenced by linguistic and psycho-socio-cultural factors, therapeutic behaviors, and efficacy of treatment. The data were interpreted in terms of traditional Korean medical principles, cosmological, socio-cultural, and religious influences, and an individual's family structural changes and acculturation. Findings indicate the construction of somatization among Korean elders is more complex than is generally reported: in most cases, a dynamic, holistic blend of processes appears to operate simultaneously, instead of as somatization in isolation. Informants placed different degrees of emphasis on psychologization or somatization, or the two combined. The roles of personality, value orientation, intellect, emotion, economic status, degree of acculturation, degree of dependence on children, living situation (with or not with children), and self-will or self-confidence are important influences on the depression symptoms in the psychologization-somatization continuum. The more self-directed the informants are, the more they psychologize; the more other-directed, the more they seem to somatize. Names and symptoms of depression (a Western concept) and popular illnesses (traditional Korean concepts) were used interchangeably by the informants. When informants were asked to explain the signs and symptoms of depression and sadness, some described symptoms similar to the criteria of major depression in DSM-III (American Psychiatric Association), while others gave different symptoms and ways of expressing them. Some informants believed that symptoms and signs of depression can be concealed from others if one chooses to do so. Many felt that manifestations of depression can be controlled by willpower, personality, and self-care.     

Trace Elements in Fingernails of Healthy Chinese Centenarians

Trace element concentrations in body tissues of healthy centenarians have not been widely analyzed, yet they can be used as reference data leading to improved assessment of the aging process and monitoring of the micronutrient status of this age group. The present study sought to assess trace element concentrations and behaviors in the fingernails of healthy Chinese centenarians. The effects of gender on element concentrations, which also play an important role in determining the lifespan, were also investigated. Trace elements (Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, and Zn) in the fingernails of 78 healthy Chinese centenarians were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The overall reference values obtained in milligram per kilogram are as follows: Ba, 5.10; Cd, 0.031; Co, 0.101; Cr, 0.82; Cu, 3.71; Fe, 154.35; Li, 0.31; Mn, 3.09; Mo, 0.040; Ni, 0.95; Pb, 1.86; Se, 0.44; Sr, 6.20; and Zn, 147.96. Data analysis showed that only Cr and Se concentrations show a normal distribution, and no significant difference between male and female groups was found for any element except Cr. Result also revealed that sufficient Se, Co, and Zn as well as lower or lack of exposure to Cr contribute positively to the lifespan of centenarians. The results suggest that regulating in vivo contents of trace elements, especially Se, Co, and Zn, is reasonable to intervene with geriatric diseases.     

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) as a Potential Antidote for Cadmium and Lead Intoxication: Cadmium and Lead Distribution and Analysis in Different Mice Organs

Analysis and distribution of Pb and Cd in different mice organs including liver, kidney, spleen, heart and blood were evaluated after treatment with different aqueous concentrations of garlic (12.5–100 mg/l). Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used for analysis of Pb and Cd in these organs. Treatment of Cd–Pb exposed mice with garlic (12.5–100 mg/l) reduced Pb concentrations by 44.65, 42.61, 38.4, 47.56, and 66.62% in liver, kidney, heart, spleen and blood respectively. Moreover, garlic reduced Cd levels by 72.5, 87.7, 92.6, 95.6, and 71.7% in liver, kidney, heart, spleen and blood respectively. The suppressed immune responses in mice pretreated with Cd–Pb mixture were reversed by 48.85, 55.82, 81.4 and 90.7 in the presence of 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 mg/ml of garlic extract.     

Cadmium, Lead, Copper and Zinc in Breast Milk in Poland

Mother's milk is the fundamental food for infants. It contains proteins, fat, carbohydrates and essential metals which are necessary to ensure correct functioning of the organism. Unfortunately, breast milk is a potential source of toxic metals, which are dangerous for a baby. In Poland, previous research concerning the content of metals in breast milk was very scarce or its results were unavailable. The present study aimed at assessing the content of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in human breast milk, as well as estimating the mean weekly intake of these metals by breast-fed infants from Poland. The average concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn were 2.114 μg/l, 6.331 μg/l, 0.137 mg/l and 1.623 mg/l, respectively. The admissible levels of supply of these toxic metals has not been exceeded, but their contents were high, particularly in 6-month-old infants (nearly 85 % TWI for Cd and nearly 70 % BMDL₀₁ for Pb). The daily intake of Cu and Zn did not fully satisfy the infant's requirements determined by Polish standards and WHO recommendations. Since the lifestyle of lactating women has a direct influence on the content of these elements in breast milk, women should be educated in this respect with particular focus on eliminating tobacco smoking, both by breastfeeding mothers and by their direct environment.