Trace element levels in serum and gastric mucosa in patients with Helicobacter pylori positive and negative gastritis

BackgroundMost trace elements are inhibited by Helicobacter pylori-infection, and variations in specific element levels are linked to the development of stomach cancer. This is the first study to show the relationship between serum and tissue concentrations of twenty-five trace elements and H. pylori infection status. This study purposed to define serum and tissue trace element levels of 25 healthy individuals with Helicobacter pylori-positive gastritis and Helicobacter pylori-negative gastritis and to reveal their relationship with the disease.MethodsStudy groups consisted of sixty-two patients with Helicobacter pylori-positive, thirty-seven patients with Helicobacter pylori-negative, and thirty healthy individuals. Serum and tissue concentrations of twenty-five elements (aluminum, boron, arsenic, barium, calcium, beryllium, copper, cadmium, iron, chromium, mercury, lithium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, manganese, nickel, phosphorus, lead, scandium, strontium, selenium, tellurium, titanium, zinc) were defined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.ResultsExcept for copper, lithium, and strontium elements in serum samples, other trace elements differed significantly between the groups (p < 0.05). The serum chromium (p = 0.002), mercury (p = 0.001), boron (p < 0.001), and cadmium (p < 0.001) levels of H. pylori-negative gastritis and H. pylori-positive gastritis participants were significantly different, and their serum concentrations were less than 0.5 µ/l. Boron, barium, beryllium, chromium, lithium, phosphorus and strontium elements in tissue samples did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05). Manganese, nickel, tellurium and titanium elements were not detected in tissue and serum samples. The mean concentrations of calcium, beryllium, chromium, iron, potassium, lithium, magnesium, scandium, and selenium were higher in the tissues of patients with H. pylori gastritis compared to healthy control tissues. Also, cadmium could not be detected in tissue samples. There was a significant difference between H. pylori-infected tissue and serum chromium levels (p = 0.001), with lower levels detected in tissue samples.ConclusionThis is the first study that we are knowledgeable of that reports the concentrations of twenty five elements in both serum and tissue samples, as well as the relationship between trace elements and Helicobacter pylori-infection status. Dietary adjustment is indicated as an adjunct to medical therapy to stabilize trace elements because Helicobacter pylori bacteria cause inflammation and impair element absorption in gastritis patients. We also think that this study will shed light on studies on the relationship between Helicobacter pylori-trace elements and serum-tissue/healthy serum-tissue trace element levels of patients with Helicobacter pylori gastritis.     

The Effects of Whole Body Cell Phone Exposure on the T1 Relaxation Times and Trace Elements in the Serum of Rats

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of radiofrequency radiation emitted from cellular phones on: (1) trace elements such as manganese, iron, copper, zinc, (2) T1 relaxation times in serum, and (3) rectal temperature of rats exposed to microwave radiation emitted from cellular phones. Sixteen Spraque–Dawley rats were separated into two groups of eight, one sham-exposed (control) and one exposed (experimental). The rats were confined in Plexiglas cages and a cellular phone was placed 0.5 cm under the cage. For the experimental group, cellular phones were activated 20 min per day, 7 days a week, for 1 month. For the control group, a cellular phone placed beneath the cage for 20 min a day was turned off. Rectal temperatures were measured weekly. For 250-mW-radiated powers, the whole body average specified absorption rate (SAR) (rms) is 0.52 W/kg and 1-g-averaged peak SAR (rms) is 3.13 W/kg. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical comparisons of groups. T1 relaxation time and the values of iron and copper in the serum of the experimental group were not changed compared to the control group (p > 0.05). However, manganese and zinc values in the serum of the experimental group were significantly different from the control group (p < 0.05). The difference in rectal temperature measured before and after exposure in the experimental groups was not statistically different from control (p > 0.05).     

Topotecan Treatment and Its Toxic Effects on Hematologic Parameters and Trace Elements

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of topotecan, a topoisomerase I-inhibiting anticancer agent, on hematologic parameters and serum levels of trace elements. The study was conducted on three groups consisting of 16 and 18 rabbits in the study groups and 15 rabbits in the control group. Rabbits in group I (n = 16) received high-dose topotecan intravenously (i.v.; 0.5 mg/kg once daily), while rabbits in group II (n = 18) received low-dose topotecan i.v. (0.25 mg/kg once daily) for 3 days. The 15 rabbits comprising the control group did not receive topotecan. Serum samples were collected from each rabbit on the first day, before the treatment, and on the 15th day of treatment. Erithrocytes, hemoglobin, white blood cell count, thrombocyte count, and trace elements such as selenium, copper, lead, zinc, and cobalt were analyzed. Hemoglobin levels and erythrocyte counts were lower in both study groups than in the control group. However, thrombocyte and leukocyte counts were similar in all three groups (p > 0.005). Serum trace element levels (copper, lead, zinc, and cobalt) did not differ significantly between groups. However, serum selenium levels were significantly lower in both study groups than the control group (p < 0.001). The results revealed that topotecan treatment causes a decrease in erythrocyte counts and hemoglobin levels due to bone marrow suppression, and these effects must be taken into account during treatment. In addition, selenium supplementation might be helpful in cancer patients receiving topotecan to increase the effect of the chemotherapeutic agent.     

海南岛兴降地区某些药用植物中的微量元素

本文研究海南兴隆地区12种不同类型药用植物微量元素的生物吸收系数(Ax)及其含量水平变化特性,结果表明不同科、属、种植物对同一元素的吸收量差异显著,以Mg>Al>Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu为序;同属不同品种植物在不同生境中对微量元素的生物吸收系数各有差别,海南槟榔(Ax 0.30×10-6、12.51×10-6)>泰国槟榔(Ax 0.29×10-6、11.59×10-6)>云南槟榔(Ax 0.27×10-6、11.56×10-6),元素间吸收量相比以Mo>Zn>Cu>Mn>Ni为例;同种植物不同器官微量元素的吸收量也是不同的,例如巴戟天的含量以根(218.48×10-6)>叶(115.19×10-6)>茎(113.02×10-6)。植物与土壤中元素含量消长变化关系密切,相比之下,植物中Fe、Mn、Zn含量均高于Cu、Pb、Ni。绞股蓝(189.26)>巴戟天(169.04)>益智(161.70)>槟榔(155.88)。     

海南岛西南地区某些药用植物微量元素的生物吸收和含量变化

本文研究海南岛西南地区１２种不同类型药用植物微量元素的生物吸收系数（Ａｘ）及其含量水平变化特性。     

鸭儿芹及制品中矿质元素分析

采用空气-乙炔火焰原子吸收法,测定了鸭儿芹及制品中钾、钙、钠、镁、铁、锌、锰、铜等8种矿质元素.对测定分析条件进行了实验,以氯化铯为电离抑制剂,用氯化锶消除磷对钙的干扰,盐酸浓度控制在2%以内,获得了满意效果.实验加标回收率为90.5%～108.2%,相对偏差为0.3%～0.7%,适合于植物材料中微量元素的分析测定.实验结果表明:鲜鸭儿芹中钾含量很高,达到44.774 mg/g,钙含量达到11.296 mg/g,同一元素在不同制品中含量存在明显差异.     

不育男性患者和健康男性血液与精浆中微量元素含量的对比分析

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

Chemical Speciation and Mobility of Some Trace Elements in Vermicomposted Fly Ash

Fly ash, a by-product of power plants, is currently being used extensively in India for soil amendment. However, the toxic elements sorbed in the fly ash might pose a serious threat to the environment, causing soil and water contamination. Vermicomposting of fly ash is expected to reduce the contamination of toxic trace metal and could improve the mobility of essential trace element. The current study is focused on characterizing different species of trace metals and their bio-availability in the vermicomposted fly ash (VCFA)-treated lateritic soil. As a fertilizer, different doses (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) of VCFA were applied to the soil and sequential extraction was carried out to analyze trace elements. In the different fractions, Cr < Mn < Pb < Fe were found to be sorbed more to Fe-Mn oxide-bound fractions, whereas Cd, Cu, and Zn were bound more to organic-matter-bound fractions; Cr and Ni were mostly bound to residual fraction. The Fe-Mn oxides and organic-matter-bound fractions may be bio-available with the appropriate environmental condition, whereas chromium and nickel mostly associated with residual fraction are very difficult to release into the environment. The mobility factor index showed the midlevel substitution (i.e., 10% to 30% of VCFA to lateritic soil) to be beneficial as these doses increased the bio-availability of some essential trace elements and restricted the availability toxic trace metals in the soil. At higher doses, the toxic trace metals were found to be released in the bio-available form, which could be hazardous to the environment.     

Effects of Vitamin E and Selenium on Serum Trace and Major Elements in Horses

The combined effects of vitamin E and selenium were studied in native Anatolian horses subject to strenuous exercise. The concentrations of copper, zinc, iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium were determined in serum by atomic absorption spectrometry in two study groups (n = 25 each), one of which served as untreated controls. After exercising the horses by running 1,500 m in about 7 min, only the copper level and the copper/zinc ratio significantly increased (p < 0.05), but the concentrations of calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium remained unchanged. In horses treated with vitamin E and selenium, the calcium and potassium levels decreased to levels lower than those of untreated controls before and after exercise. The iron levels were not changed by exercise or treatment alone but increased when the horses had been supplemented and exercised. The copper level and the copper/zinc ration increased as a result of exercise in both treated and untreated horses. These changes suggest that supplementation with vitamin E and selenium had an important effect on the serum concentrations of calcium, potassium, copper, iron, and the copper/zinc ratio.     

微量元素对大肠杆菌生长和乙酸生成的影响研究

大肠杆菌DA19的代谢特性与培养基中添加微量元素有较大的关系。在基本培养基中,当氮源限制时,添加微量元素可以在一定程度上改善DA19菌体的生长,提高菌体得率YX/G,大大减少乙酸的生成;当氮源充分时,与不添加微量元素相比,DA19在添加微量元素后,菌体浓度大大增加,虽然葡萄糖消耗速率加快,但产乙酸仍然很少,只有不添加时的13％,YX/G提高至少60％。基本培养基中添加0.1～1mL/L的微量元素混合溶液对DA19菌体生长、乙酸生成及葡萄糖消耗没有显著影响。在单独添加不同种类的微量元素时, BO33-、Zn2+、MoO42+、Cu2+没有特别明显的影响,Al3+会抑制菌体生长和葡萄糖利用,而Co2+、Mn2+、Fe2+可以改善细胞生长,特别是添加Fe2+时,细胞生长及乙酸生成等培养结果与添加微量元素混合溶液几乎相同。     

Analysis of Trace Elements in Bronchoalveolar Lavage of Patients with Diffuse Lung Diseases

Airborne trace elements are implicated in the etio-pathogenesis of a large number of pulmonary diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of direct determination of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples from patients with sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis and healthy (smoking and non-smoking) controls. A total of 44 individuals were recruited among sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis patients and healthy (smoking and non-smoking) controls. Average Mn concentrations in BAL from patients were 45% lower than in controls (p < 0.01) and remarkable decreases in average concentrations of Cr, Ni and Zn were also found in BAL from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. As these diseases are characterized by the enhanced activation of certain immunomodulatory cells and by generation of free radicals, the depressed Mn, Zn, Cr and Ni concentrations in BAL from patients may be due to oxidative stress. These preliminary results indicate that assessment of the elemental composition of BAL is a promising approach to study the pathogenesis of diffuse lung diseases and Langerhans cell histiocytosis.     

Leaching of Trace Elements from Biological Tissue by Formalin Fixation

In studies of trace elements in biological tissue, it is imperative that sample handling does not substantially change element concentrations. In many cases, fresh tissue is not available for study, but formalin-fixed tissue is. Formalin fixation has the potential to leach elements from the tissue, but few studies have been published in this area. The concentrations of 19 elements were determined by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in formalin in which human and rat brain samples had been stored for different time durations ranging from weeks up to several years. Additional analysis was carried out in fixed brain samples. There was substantial leaching of elements from the tissue into the formalin, and the leaching varied considerably between different elements. For example, formalin concentrations of As, Cd, Mg, Rb, and Sb increased more than 100-fold upon long-term (years) storage, while for Ni and Cr, the leaching was negligible. The degree of leaching was strongly time-dependent. In conclusion, formalin fixation and storage of biological tissue has the potential to leach substantial fractions of several trace elements from the tissue. The potential of leaching must be critically considered when using formalin-fixed biological tissue in trace metal analysis.     

Trace elements in nasal polyps

The reason why nasal polyps occur has not been explained yet. In the literature, the role of immunological factors are considered and broadly discussed, but there is no information on the role of microelements in the pathogenesis of nasal sinusal polyposis. In this study concentrations of Cu, Se, Zn, and Pb in tissue of nasal polyps were determined. The tissue samples were taken from 41 patients during polypectomia procedures, whereas healthy tissue from nasal mucosa was sampled from 10 patients during endonasal surgery. The concentrations of the elments were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. It was found that the concentrations of all the elements were significantlylower in polyp tissues than in healthy nasal mucosa. The reasons for this are unclear in the present study     

肾透明细胞癌相关微小RNA的研究进展

微小核糖核酸(miRNAs)是一类长约22个核苷酸的非编码单链小核糖核酸分子,miRNA通过与靶mRNA 3'端非翻译序列完全或部分互补结合,导致靶mRNA降解或转录后翻译抑制,从而调控靶基因的表达.最新研究显示人类血清/血浆中miRNA表达稳定,并在肿瘤患者血清中发现多种miRNA,其中的一些已经被证实与肾癌发生及发展相关,以往miRNA与肾癌的研究方.向多集中于肾癌组织,尽管发现很多有差异的miRNA,但不同研究者之间的结果常难以相互验证,而最近研究证实血清miRNA具有组织相关性和器官特异性,并对某些肿瘤具有高敏感性和特异性,因此其有望成为新的肿瘤标志物.肾癌是国内泌尿系统的第二常见恶性肿瘤,而且其近年来发病率和死亡率有逐年增高的趋势.由于肾透明细胞癌是肾癌的主要亚型,因此本文就血清miRNA在肾透明细胞癌的表达及其作用的研究进展作一综述.     

Electrolytes and Trace Elements in Human Breast Cyst Fluid

Gross cystic breast disease (GCBD) is one of the most common breast diseases, and women with apocrine (type I) cysts are at higher risk of developing breast cancer than women with flattened (type II) cysts. Type I cysts contain fluid with an electrolyte composition similar to that of intracellular fluid (Na/K ratio <3), whereas type II cysts fluid’s content resembles that of plasma (Na/K ratio >3). The electrolyte composition of breast cyst fluid (BCF) has been investigated intensively; however, there have been only a few studies in literature reporting the content of trace elements in BCF. The aim of this study was to compare the concentrations of Na, K, Ca, P, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Na/K and trace element ratios in breast cyst fluid in two subgroups of breast cysts. Sixty-three BCF were obtained by needle aspiration from premenopausal women with GCBD diagnosed by clinical, xheromammographic, and cytological studies. After separation of cells for cytological evaluation, the cyst fluid was centrifuged and supernatant stored at −80°C until the analysis. Sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and iron were measured using Roche Diagnostics commercial kits on Hitachi 747-200 autoanalyzer. Measurements of copper and zinc were performed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer on Shimadzu AAS 680. We found statistically significant higher K, lower Na, higher phosphorus concentrations, and lower Na/K ratios in type I cysts when compared with type II cysts’ values. Median values of Na/K ratio in type I and in type II were 0.32 and 6.2, respectively. Higher Zn, Cu, and Fe concentrations with respect to median values were noted in type I cysts; higher [Na.Cu/K.Zn], [Na.Cu/K.Fe], and [Na.Zn/K.Fe] ratios were found in type II cysts. A significant negative correlation existed between Na/K and Cu, and a significant positive correlation between Na/K and Fe in type II cysts (r = −0.660, p = 0.007; r = 0.615, p = 0.014, respectively). We can conclude that the trace elements content of BCF, in addition to electrolytes, could be useful in classifying the breast cyst. Future studies in larger series are needed to confirm these data.     

MicroRNA-145在肾癌中的临床意义及其分子机制探讨

目的:探讨miRNA-145在肾癌中的临床意义及其分子机制。方法:通过实时定量PCR检测和比较16例肾癌患者的肿瘤组织及癌旁正常肾组织中miRNA-145的表达,并分析miRNA-145的表达水平与肾癌患者病理特征及临床分级的相关性。进一步采用实时定量PCR检测和比较肾癌细胞株786-O、769P及正常肾细胞株HK2中miRNA-145表达量,通过转染miRNA-145 mimics和阴性对照miRNA至769P、786-O肾癌细胞株后观察癌基因(bcl-2、e2f3、cdk6、ccnd1)mRNA的表达。结果:肾癌组织中miRNA-145的表达显著低于癌旁正常肾组织(P0.05),且与肾癌的直径、病理核分级及临床分级呈显著负相关(P0.05)。肾癌细胞株769P、786-O中miRNA-145的表达显著低于正常HK-2肾细胞(P0.05),而转染miRNA-145 mimics的769P、786-O细胞中多个癌基因(bcl-2、e2f3、cdk6、ccnd1)的mRNA表达均较阴性对照组显著降低(P0.05)。结论:MiRNA-145在肾癌中呈低表达,可能通过调控多个癌基因的表达在肾癌的发生发展过程中发挥重要的作用。     

Alterations in Trace Elements and Oxidative Stress in Uremic Patients with Dementia

The present study was conducted to compare the trace elements and oxidative status between uremic patients with and without dementia. Chronic hemodialysis patients with dementia (n = 20) and without dementia (n = 25), and age-matched healthy volunteers (n = 20) were enrolled. The nutritional status, blood levels of trace elements aluminum (Al), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe), malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl production, antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were measured. No significant difference in nutritional status or clinical characteristics was observed between nondementia and dementia patients. However, uremic patients with dementia have significantly higher Al, Cu, and Mg and lower Zn concentrations, as well as increased Cu/Zn ratio in comparison to nondementia patients. There were statistically significant increased MDA and carbonyl production and decreased GPx and GR activities in dementia patients. Furthermore, the significant associations of Al, Mg, and Cu/Zn ratio with oxidative status in patients with dementia were noted. The dementia may initially worsen with abnormal metabolism of trace elements and oxidative stress occurrence. Our results suggest that abnormalities in trace element levels are associated with oxidative stress and may be a major risk factor in the dementia development of uremic patients.     

Antioxidant Enzymes and Related Trace Elements in Aging Brain Capillaries and Choroid Plexus

The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalase were measured in isolated brain capillaries, choroid plexus, cerebrum, and cerebellum from rats of 2, 6, 12, and 24 months. The contents of copper, zinc, and manganese were determined in capillaries, cerebrum, and cerebellum, and the profile of fatty acids was studied in brain capillaries. In brain capillaries, the activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase did not change with age. The activities of the two enzymes increased in cerebrum and cerebellum. In choroid plexus, glutathione peroxidase activity increased, but glutathione reductase activity remained unchanged. Catalase activity in brain capillaries declined, whereas in choroid plexus, cerebrum, and cerebellum, it did not change. The activities of the three enzymes were significantly higher in brain capillaries and choroid plexus than in cerebrum and cerebellum. SOD activity increased in the four tissues. Copper content in the capillaries increased initially and then levelled off, whereas it continued to increase in cerebrum and cerebellum. Zinc increased in brain capillaries, but did not vary in cerebrum and cerebellum. Manganese content remained constant in all tissues studied. The percent of saturated fatty acids in brain capillaries did not change with age, whereas those of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids increased and decreased, respectively. The possibility that a deficiency of enzymes protective against free radicals causes blood-brain barrier and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier degeneration is ruled out.