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.     

Metallic and metalloid elements in various developmental stages of Amanita muscaria (L.) Lam

There is growing evidence that mushrooms (fruiting bodies) can be suitable for biogeochemical prospecting for minerals and as indicators of heavy metal and radioactive contaminants in the terrestrial environment. Apart from the nutritional aspect, knowledge of accumulation dynamics and distribution of elements in fruiting bodies, from emergence to senescence, is essential as is standardization when choosing mushroom species as potential bioindicators and for monitoring purposes. We studied the effect of fruitbody developmental stage on the contents of the elements (Li, K, V, Cr, Mn, Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Ag, Al, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Pb, Tl and U) in the individual parts of the Amanita muscaria fruiting body. Elements such as K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn and Se remained similar throughout all developmental stages studied, however for K, differences occurred in the values of caps and stipes, as expressed by the cap to stipe concentration quotient (index Q_C/S). The other elements quantified, i.e., Li, V, Cr, As, Rb, Sr, Ag, Al, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Pb, Tl and U are considered as nonessential or toxic (with the exception of V in A. muscaria). Their accumulation in the fruiting bodies and their distribution between cap and stipe did not show a uniform pattern. Pb, Sb, Tl, Ba, Sr, Li, Rb and Cs decreased with increasing maturity of the fruitbodies, implying that translocation, distribution and accumulation in stipes and caps was not a continuous process, while V, Cr, As, Ag, Cd, and U remained at the same concentration, similarly to the essential elements. Our results for A. muscaria confirm that elemental distribution in different parts of fruiting bodies is variable for each element and may change during maturation. Soil properties, species specificity and the pattern of fruitbody development may all contribute to the various types of elemental distribution and suggest that the results for one species in one location may have only limited potential for generalization.     

Concentration levels of major and trace elements in rice from sri lanka as determined by the k 0 standardization method

Instrumental neutron activation (INAA) with k ₀ standardization has been used to determine the concentration levels of a variety of major and trace elements (Al, As, Br, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Rb, Sc, Se, and Zn) in rice grains (raw and parboiled) and in rice flour collected from local markets in Sri Lanka. In addition, the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis has been used to determine the three elements Ca, P, and S in powdered samples. To evaluate and assure the accuracy and precision of the k ₀ standardization method, the IAEA standard reference material V-8 rye flour was analyzed. The results obtained in the present investigation were compared with the results reported from other countries. All of the elements detected in the rice matrices from Sri Lanka were very low in concentration or within normal limits for food plants. Approximate daily dietary intakes of the individual elements supplied through rice were calculated and compared with the available literature values of daily allowances.     

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.     

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.     

Element Concentrations in Some Species of Seaweeds from La Paz Bay and La Paz Lagoon, South-Western Baja California, Mexico

La Paz Bay and La Paz Lagoon are water bodies of the Gulf of California that are influenced by waste water discharges from the City of La Paz and from activities of the phosphorite mining company “Rofomex”. Because seaweeds concentrate elements from the water and are used as effective indicators of contamination by metals, we investigated their usefulness in this region. Concentrations of certain major elements (Ca, Fe, K and Na) and trace elements (As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cs, Hf, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Ta, Th, U, Zn and Zr) were determined in 12 species of seaweeds from La Paz Bay and La Paz Lagoon using instrumental neutron activation analysis. The contents of trace elements of environmental importance (As, Co, Cr, Fe, Sb, Se and Zn) in all studied samples are within the range of typical levels for a pristine environment not subjected to anthropogenic impact. Somewhat higher concentrations of Cr (81mg kg⁻¹), Hf (4mg kg⁻¹), Rb (48mg kg⁻¹), Sc (6.3mg kg⁻¹), Ta (0.95mg kg⁻¹), Th (6.8mg kg⁻¹), U (33mg kg⁻¹) and Zn (90mg kg⁻¹) were found in the green seaweed species Ulva (formerly Enteromorpha) intestinalis, whereas such elements as As (77mg kg⁻¹), Sb (1.4mg kg⁻¹) and Se (1.8mg kg⁻¹) were mainly concentrated in the species Sargassum sinicola, Codium cuneatum and Padina mexicana respectively. Because of their higher abundance and heterogeneity in elemental composition the seaweeds species Ulva intestinalis and Caulerpa sertularioides seem to be more suitable for further biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution of the coastal waters in this zone.     

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.     

Heavy metal and other trace elements in native mussel Diplodon chilensis from Nothern Patagonia Lakes, Argentina

Native mussels, Diplodon chilensis, were sampled from four lakes in Nahuel Huapi National Park, Northern Patagonia, Argentina in order to evaluate heavy-metal distribution in the region and to assess the contribution of this compartment of the trophic web to their circulation in the food chain. The concentration of potential pollutants Ag, As, Cr, Hg, Sb, and Se, and other nine elements of interest (Ba, Br, Ca, Co, Cs, Fe, Na, Sr, and Zn) were determined in Diplodon chilensis pooled samples. Digestive glands were analyzed separately from soft tissues. Geological tracers Sc, Ta, Th, and rare earth elements were also determined in order to discriminate lithophile contributions. Elemental concentrations of Ba, Br, Fe, Sr, Se, and Zn in total soft tissues samples do not show significant differences among sampling sites. Arsenic and Cr contents in total soft tissues and digestive gland pooled samples are higher in sampling points close to zones with human settlements. Silver contents in samples collected in Lake Nahuel Huapi were higher than in the other lakes studied, and up to 50-fold higher than the sample collected in Lake Traful, considered as the reference. Mercury highest concentration values measured in total soft tissues pooled samples from lakes Nahuel Huapi and Moreno were found to be similar to those observed in other reported Hg contamination situations, and they are three to five times higher than those of the reference samples collected in Lake Traful.     

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.

     

Trace element correlations in the blood of indian women with breast cancer

Fourteen minor (Na, K, P, Fe) and trace (Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Hg, Rb, Sb, Se, Sr, Zn) elements have been determined in pre and postoperative blood samples of 10 breast-cancer-affected. Indian women and compared with controls. The study showed elevation of Cr, Hg, Fe, Rb, Sb, and Zn and lowering of Se, K, P, and Sr contents in the blood of cancer patients. Most elemental contents in pre and postoperative stages remain unaltered except Br, Co, and Sb. Statistical significance of Fe, Se, Zn, and Hg levels has been tested by box plots. Lowering of Se in blood (-54.4%) is correlated with its enhancement in cancerous breast tissue (94.7%) of various clinical stages. Se/Zn and Se/Fe ratios are lowered in the blood of cancer patients, whereas Na/K ratio is only marginally enhanced. An attempt has been made to correlate Se levels with the dietary intake and breast cancer risk vis-a-vis American and Japanese women.     

Determination of trace elements in porcine brain by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry,electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry,and instrumental neutron activation analysis

Methods have been developed for the analyses of trace metals in various areas of porcine brains, (temporal, parietal, frontal cortex, both right and left hemispheres). Determinations were carried out using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The elements investigated were Li, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb by ICP-MS and Cu, Cd, and Mn by ETAAS. For determination by ICP-MS, a method of standard additions calibration coupled with internal standards was used, and for ETAAS, standard additions calibrations were prepared. The accuracy of all methods was determined using NIST and IAEA certified reference material. A small number of pig brains were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis for Cr, Co, Cs, Fe, Rb, Se, Sc, Sb, and Zn using the comparator method of analysis. Four separate NIST standard reference materials have been used to examine the validity of the comparator method.     

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)%.     

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.     

Levels of some trace elements in selected autopsy organs,and in hair and blood samples from adult subjects of the Italian population

This study, which is part of a research program for the determination of trace element reference levels in various human tissues for the Italian population, presents the concentrations of Se, Hg, Cr, Cs, Sc, Rb, Zn, Fe, Co, and Sb in lung, liver, spleen, and kidney autopsy samples taken from 14 adult subjects of the Italian population who died from accidental causes. Concentrations of the same trace elements are given also for blood and hair samples taken from subjects of the general Italian population and of a population group living in a small coastal town that has an average annual fish consumption well above the national average. The analytical method used was Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. The levels and distribution of the trace elements in the various human organs examined are analyzed and discussed.     

Optimization of parameters for semiempirical methods IV: extension of MNDO,AM1, and PM3 to more main group elements

The NDDO semiempirical methods MNDO, AM1, and PM3 have been extended to all the remaining non-radioactive elements of the main group, excluding the noble gases. Most of the new elements are of Groups I and II. 44 sets of parameters are presented for the following methods and elements. MNDO: Na, Mg, K, Ca, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, In, Sb, Te, Cs, Ba, Tl, and Bi; AM1: Li, Be, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, In, Sn, Sb, Te, Cs, Ba, Tl, Pb, and Bi; PM3: B, Na, K, Ca, Rb, Sr, Cs, and Ba. Average errors are presented for heats of formation, molecular geometries, etc.     

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.     

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.     

Dietary boron intakes of selected populations in the United States

Knowledge of daily boron (B) intakes will assist researchers in establishing B requirements and elucidating the metabolic role of B in humans. B concentrations in commonly consumed foods were utilized to approximate the B intake of selected US populations. Triplicate food samples were digested at low temperatures with 16M HNO₃ and 30% H₂O₂, and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP). Milk and dairy products, juices, and beverages were the largest contributors to dietary B. Total B content of average daily diets ranged from 548 μg for toddlers (2 yr old) to 883 μg for mature males (60–65 yr old), excluding tap water contributions. Toddlers consumed 3.7 times more B than mature males when adjusted for body weight (body wt) and consumed the diet with the highest boron density (1.8 μg/kJ or 0.43 μg/kcal). Adolescent females consumed a diet with the lowest B density (1.12 μg/kJ or 0.26 μg/kcal). Food B concentrations applied to diet records (1020 μg/d) and ICP analysis of the corresponding food composites (1170 μg/d) were comparable (p < 0.05). Current estimations of B in US diets are consistent with reports in the literature stating that normal adult daily B intakes are approx 1 mg. Presented at the symposium “Second International Symposium on the Health Effects of Boron and Its Compounds” held in Irvine, CA, on October 23, 1997. This symposium was presented by the University of California, Irvine. The publication of the symposium was supported by U.S. Borax Inc. Guest editors for this symposium were B. Dwight Culver (University of California, Irvine, CA) and James R. Coughlin (Coughlin and Associates, Newport Coast, CA). US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Northern Plains Area is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, and all agency services are available without discrimination.     

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.     

Does dietary arsenic and mercury affect cutaneous bleeding time and blood lipids in humans?

Fish species may contain considerable amounts of trace elements, such as selenium (Se), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg). The present study investigated the relationships between dietary intake of these elements and cutaneous bleeding time and blood lipids in 32 healthy volunteers. For 6 wk, one group (n=11) consumed approx 250 g Se-rich fish daily, providing them with an average Se intake of 115±31 μg Se/d, Hg intake of 18±8 μg/d, and As intake of 806±405 μg/d, all values analyzed in 4-d duplicate food collections. To study the effect of Se alone, one group (n=11) included Se-rich bread in their normal diet, giving them a Se intake (135±25 μg/d) that was comparable to the fish group. A control group (n=10) ate their normal diet, providing 77±25 gmg Se/d, 3.1±2.5 μg Hg/d, and 101±33 μg As/d. The dietary As load strongly correlated both with bleeding times and changes in bleeding times (r=0.48,p<0.01 andr=0.54,p<0.002, respectively). Dietary Hg showed a positive correlation with LDL-cholesterol (r=0.55,p<0.01), whereas dietary Hg in the fish group showed a strong negative relationship with HDL-cholesterol (r=?0.76,p<0.01). Selenium seemed to have only a modest effect on bleeding time. Our results suggest that mercury and arsenic from fish may be factors contributing to or modifying some of the known effects of fish ingestion.