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.     

Age-Related Changes of the Concentrations of Select Elements in the Prostates of Japanese

To elucidate compositional changes of the prostate with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements in the prostates and the relationships among their elements using Japanese and Thai. After ordinary dissections by students at Nara Medical University and Chiang Mai University were finished, the prostates were resected from the subjects. Fifty-seven Japanese subjects ranged in age from 65 to 101 years (average age = 82.5 ± 7.8 years), whereas 13 Thai subjects ranged in age from 43 to 86 years (average age = 67.9 ± 11.9 years). After ashing with nitric acid and perchloric acid, element contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry. It was found that although there were no significant correlations between age and seven element contents, such as Ca, P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na, in the prostates of Japanese, high contents of Ca (>5 mg/g) and P (>4 mg/g) were contained in one fourth of the prostates of Japanese over 70 years of age. In the prostates of Thai, a significant direct correlation was found between age and Ca content, but it was not found between age and the other element contents, such as P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na. Regarding the relationships among their elements, extremely significant direct correlations were found among the contents of Ca, P, Mg, Zn, and Na in the prostates of Japanese. In the prostates of Thai, significant direct correlations were found among the contents of Ca, Mg, and Zn, but no significant correlations were found between Ca and P contents and between P and Mg contents. Regarding the relationships among their elements, there were differences between the prostates of Japanese and Thai. To examine whether element contents changed in prostatic hypertrophy, the transverse width of the Japanese prostates was measured. No significant correlations were found between the transverse width and element contents, such as Ca, P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na, in the Japanese prostates. Therefore, it is unlikely that the increase of elements results in prostatic hypertrophy.     

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.     

Serum Copper,Zinc, and Magnesium Levels in Patients with Chronic Fluorosis

Although there are many studies on effect of fluoride on trace elements in experimental animals, few studies exist on serum trace elements levels in patients with endemic fluorosis. We aimed to determine the serum levels of trace elements including serum copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and serum levels of minerals including calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K) in patients with endemic fluorosis. The study group consisted of 30 patients with endemic fluorosis (17 females, 13 males, mean age 33.53 ± 9.85 years). An age, gender, and body mass index matched 30 healthy volunteers comprised control group (21 females, ten males with a mean age 33.93 ± 7.39 years). Urine fluoride levels of chronic fluorosis patients were significantly higher than that of control subjects as expected (1.92 ± 0.10 mg/l vs. 0.41 ± 0.09 mg/l, respectively; P < 0.001). Serum Cu levels (89.14 ± 16.77 μg/dL vs. 102.69 ± 25.04 μg/dL, respectively, P = 0.017), serum Zn levels (77.98 ± 20.58 μg/dL vs. 94.57 ± 35.87μg/dL, respectively, P = 0.032), and serum Mg levels (1.92 ± 0.18 mg/dL vs. 2.07 ± 0.31 mg/dL, respectively, p = 0.022) was significantly lower in chronic fluorosis patients than in controls. There were no statistically significant differences between the fluorosis group and control group with respect to serum levels of Na, K, Ca, and P. We concluded that chronic fluorosis is associated with reduced serum levels of Cu, Zn, and Mg.     

Zinc,Manganese, Calcium,Copper, and Cadmium Level in Scalp Hair Samples of Schizophrenic Patients

The purpose of the study was to determine the concentration of trace elements present in scalp hair sample of schizophrenic patients and to find out the relationship between trace elements level and nutritional status or socioeconomic factors. The study was conducted among 30 schizophrenic male patients and 30 healthy male volunteers. Patients were recruited from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University by random sampling. Hair trace element concentrations were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and analyzed by independent t test, Pearson’s correlation analysis, regression analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Mn, Zn, Ca, Cu, and Cd concentrations of schizophrenic patients were 3.8 ± 2.31 μg/gm, 171.6 ± 59.04 μg/gm, 396.23 ± 157.83 μg/gm, 15.40 ± 5.68 μg/gm, and 1.14 ± 0.89 μg/gm of hair sample, while those of control subjects were 4.4 ± 2.32 μg/gm, 199.16 ± 27.85 μg/gm, 620.9 ± 181.55 μg/gm, 12.23 ± 4.56 μg/gm, and 0.47 ± 0.32 μg/gm of hair sample, respectively. The hair concentration of Zn and Ca decreased significantly (p = 0.024; p = 0.000, respectively) and the concentration of Cu and Cd increased significantly (p = 0.021; p = 0.000, respectively) in schizophrenic patients while the concentration of Mn (p = 0.321) remain unchanged. Socioeconomic data reveals that most of the patients were poor, middle-aged and divorced. Mean body mass indices (BMIs) of the control group (22.26 ± 1.91 kg/m²) and the patient group (20.42 ± 3.16 kg/m²) were within the normal range (18.5−25.0 kg/m²). Pearson’s correlation analysis suggested that only Ca concentration of patients had a significant positive correlation with the BMI (r = 0.597; p = 0.000) which was further justified from the regression analysis (R ² = 44%; t = 3.59; p = 0.002) and one-way ANOVA test (F = 3.62; p = 0.015). A significant decrease in the hair concentration of Zn and Ca as well as a significant increase in the hair concentration of Cu and Cd in schizophrenic patients than that of its control group was observed which may provide prognostic tool for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. However, further work with larger population is suggested to examine the exact correlation between trace element level and the degree of disorder.     

Evaluation of the concentration of selected elements in serum patients with intervertebral disc degeneration

Quantitative analysis of the trace element content of human intervertebral discs (IVDs) is essential because it can identify specific enzymes or metabolites that may be related to human intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). The goal of this study was to assess the concentrations of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) in serum samples obtained from patients with IVDD in comparison to healthy volunteers (a control group). The study group consisted of 113 Caucasian patients qualified by a specialist neurosurgeon for microdiscectomy. The control group consisted of 113 healthy volunteers who met the eligibility criteria for blood donors. The examined clinical material was the serum samples obtained from both groups.Based on the quantitative analysis of selected elements, there were statistically significantly (p 0.05) higher concentrations of Cu (1180 μg/L±800 μg/L vs. 1230 μg/L±750 μg/L), Zn (790 μg/L±300 μg/L vs. 850 μg/L±200 μg/L), and Mg (21730 μg/L±4360 μg/L vs. 23820 μg/L±4990 μg/L) in the serum of healthy volunteers compared to those in the study group. In addition, statistically significant changes were not detected in the concentrations of any elements among either sex in either the study or control group or in their body mass index (BMI) values (p > 0.05). In the serum samples from the study group, the strongest relationships were noted between the concentrations of Zn and Pb (r = 0.61), Zn and P (r = 0.69), Zn and Ca (r = 0.84), Zn and Cu (r = 0.83), Mg and Ca (r = 0.74), and Ca and P (r = 0.98).It has been indicated that, above all, the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg depend on the advancement of radiological changes, according to the Pfirrmann scale. However, no influence on pain intensity was found, depending on the concentration of the assessed elements.The analysis indicates that the determination of serum Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg concentrations may have diagnostic significance in predicting the onset of lumbosacral IVDD. The predictive evaluation of changes in the concentrations of selected elements in patients with degenerative lumbar IVD lesions appears to be a promising, cost-effective strategy.     

Serum Levels of Cu,Se, and Zn in Adult Rural/Urban Residents in Ghana: Paradigm Shift?

Deficiencies in Cu, Se, and Zn impair one or more biochemical functions, and excess are associated with toxicity. Baseline studies on the Ghanaian population are scanty. The study was undertaken to determine whether significant rural/urban differences in the serum levels of Cu, Se, and Zn did exist. Forty males/60 females from rural and 50 males/50 females from urban Ghanaian communities were sampled. Serum Cu, Se, and Zn were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Cu level for rural and urban subjects was 997 ± 333 and 979 ± 290 μg/L, respectively (p = 0.68). However, Cu levels were significantly higher in the rural females (1,063 ± 367 μg/L) than the rural males (898 ± 249 μg/L; p = 0.0085). Se levels for rural/urban subjects were 97 ± 36 and 87 ± 31 μg/L, respectively (p = 0.03). Zn levels in the rural/urban subjects were 312 ± 218 and 150 ± 102 μg/L, respectively (p = 0.002). Additionally, Zn was significantly higher in rural females (428 ± 204 μg/L) than the urban females (166 ± 103 μg/L; p = 0.0002). Finally, Zn was significantly higher in rural females (428 ± 204 μg/L) than males (172 ± 116 μg/L; p = 0.0028). In conclusion, Cu, Se, and Zn were higher in the rural group compared to the urban group, and the generally low Zn levels were confirmed in another cohort follow-up study.     

Total Iron,Heme Iron,Zinc, and Copper Content in Rabbit Meat and Viscera

The aim of this study is to determine the content of total iron (TFe), heme iron (HeFe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in different cuts of meat and viscera from rabbit. Five young New Zealand rabbits were used in the study. Samples in triplicate were obtained from three meat cuts (foreleg, hind leg, and loin) and from main viscera. TFe, Zn, and Cu concentrations from samples were determined by wet acid digestion followed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), while HeFe was determined by acid extraction followed by AAS. Mean TFe, HeFe, Zn, and Cu in meat was 0.83 ± 0.09, 0.56 ± 0.11, 0.95 ± 0.35, and 0.08 ± 0.01 mg/100 g, respectively. TFe content was less than 1 mg/100 g in all meat cuts. Sixty-seven percent of iron content was HeFe. The cut of meat with highest Zn concentrations was the foreleg with 1.33 ± 0.12 mg/100 g. Cu content was low for all meat cuts. TFe, HeFe, Zn, and Cu content in viscera varied greatly. The spleen was the organ with the highest TFe and Zn concentrations (82.79 ± 9.22 mg/100 g and 3.49 ± 0.63 mg/100 g, respectively). Nevertheless, the lungs had the highest concentration of HeFe (5.79 ± 0.90 mg/100 g), accounting for 91% of the total iron. The liver had the highest Cu content (3.89 ± 0.89 mg/100 g). Rabbit meat has low TFe concentration, similar to that of poultry, and most of the iron is HeFe. The amount of minerals in viscera closely depends on their function.     

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

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

Level of Trace Elements (Copper,Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium) and Toxic Elements (Lead and Mercury) in the Hair and Nail of Children with Autism

Autism is a multi-factorial pathology observed in children with altered levels of essential and elevated levels of toxic elements. There are also studies reporting a decrease in nutritional trace elements in the hair and nail of autistic children with healthy controls; moreover, bioelements have been shown to play an important role in the central nervous system. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to assess the levels of trace elements like copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and selenium (Se) and toxic elements like mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in the hair and nail samples of autistic children and to evaluate whether the level of these elements could be correlated with the severity of autism. The subjects of the study were 45 autistic children with different grades of severity (low (LFA), medium (MFA), and high (HFA) functioning autism) according to Childhood Autism Rating Scale, n = 15 children in each group and 50 healthy children (age and sex matched). The boys and girls ratio involved in this study was 4:1, and they were 4-12 years of age. The study observed a valid indication of Cu body burden in the autistic children. The children with different grades of autism showed high significance (p < 0.001) in the level of copper in their hair and nail samples when compared to healthy controls. The level of Cu in the autistic children could be correlated with their degree of severity (more the Cu burden severe is autism). The study showed a significant elevation (p < 0.001) in the levels of toxic metals Pb and Hg in both hair and nail samples of autistic children when compared to healthy control group. The elevation was much pronounced in LFA group subjects when compared among autistic groups MFA and HFA. The levels of trace elements Mg and Se were significantly decreased (p < 0.001) in autistic children when compared to control. The trace element Zn showed significant variation in both hair and nails of LFA group children when compared to control group and other study groups. The significant elevation in the concentration of Cu, Pb, and Hg and significant decrease in the concentration of Mg and Se observed in the hair and nail samples of autistic subjects could be well correlated with their degrees of severity.     

Comparative Analysis of Serum Manganese,Zinc, Calcium,Copper and Magnesium Level in Panic Disorder Patients

The purpose of the study was to determine the serum concentration of trace elements of panic disorder patients and to find out the relationship between trace element levels and nutritional status or socio-economic factors. The study was conducted among 54 panic disorder patients and 52 healthy volunteers. Patients were recruited from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University by random sampling. Serum trace element concentrations were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (for Mg, Zn, Ca, and Cu) as well as graphite furnace (for Mn). Data were analyzed by independent t test, Pearson’s correlation analysis, regression analysis, and ANOVA. The serum concentration of Mn, Zn, Ca, Cu, and Mg in panic disorder patients were 0.37 ± 0.30, 0.67 ± 0.20, 99.91 ± 15.15, 0.83 ± 0.23, and 21.14 ± 3.72 mg/L, while those were 0.4163 ± 0.2527, 0.86 ± 0.3, 106.6073 ± 18.6531, 0.8514 ± 0.3646, and 21.37 ± 2.03 mg/L in control subjects, respectively. The serum concentration of Zn decreased significantly (p = 0.001) in patient group. But the differences of the concentration of Mn, Ca, Cu, and Mg between patient and control group were not significant (p = 0.522, p = 0.065, p = 0.800, and p = 0.712, respectively). Socio-economic data reveal that most of the patients were very poor and middle aged. Mean BMIs of the control group (23.74 ± 2.71 kg/m²) and the patient group (22.62 ± 3.74 kg/m²) were within the normal range (18.5–25.0 kg/m²). There was no significant relationship between serum zinc level and BMI of patients (r = 0.038; p = 0.809). So the decreased level of serum zinc in panic disorder patients was not because of other reasons, but rather it may provide a prognostic tool for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.     

Trace Elements Contents in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asparagus curillus</Emphasis> (Buch.-Ham.) ex Roxb.

Concentration level of nine elements viz. Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Na, K, Ca, and Li were determined in leaves and roots of Asparagus curillus (Buch.-Ham.) ex Roxb. collected from four different altitudes in three seasons by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The overall concentration of K was found to be highest, whereas the level of Cu was lowest. The maximum concentrations of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Na, K, Ca, and Li were found to be 97.0 ± 1.5, 28.0 ± 7.0, 44.0 ± 7.3, 1138.0 ± 18.5, 91.0 ± 6.2, 381.0 ± 7.8, 9508.0 ± 7.8, 3076.0 ± 6.4, and 78.0 ± 4.6 mg/kg, respectively.     

Trophic Transfer and Dietary Mineral Intake of Essential Elements in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus albacares</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Katsuwonus pelamis</Emphasis> from the Eastern Pacific

With the aim of knowing levels of Cu, Fe, and Zn in the edible portion of tunas Thunnus albacares and Katsuwonus pelamis, these elements were measured in 73 fish collected in the eastern Pacific. Additionally, trophic transfer (TF) and dietary mineral intake (DMI) of analyzed metals were determined. The most elevated average concentration of Zn (31.7 μg g⁻¹ dry weight) was found in T. albacares from the Baja California region; in the case of Cu and Fe, highest values (3.86 and 71.0 μg g⁻¹ dry weight) were found in K. pelamis from the offshore waters in the Pacific Ocean. Concentrations of Cu in muscle tissue of both species were significantly (p < 0.05) correlated (negatively) with total length of specimens; levels of Fe in muscle of K. pelamis also showed a negative correlation with total length. None of TFs were above the unit, it implies that there is no biomagnification of Cu, Fe, and Zn. The DMI of Cu, Fe, and Zn from muscle tissue of analyzed tuna represented less than 13%, 21%, and 8%, respectively, of the daily requirements for humans.     

Serum Zinc and Copper Levels in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Changes in the copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations have been reported previously in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ISCMP). Due to controversial results, the aims of this study were to compare levels of Cu, Zn, and Zn/Cu ratio of ISCMP patients with healthy volunteers and also to investigate the possible relationship between trace elements status in ISCMP patients with the severity of clinical disease based on the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. The subjects of this study consisted of 30 ISCMP and 27 healthy volunteers. ISCMP was diagnosed with a history of previous myocardial infarction and also coronary artery disease was confirmed by coronary angiography. Exclusion criteria were renal or hepatic insufficiency, alcohol usage, and intake of supplements containing Cu or Zn within 1 week. Cu and Zn levels have been assayed with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS 10 software using independent sample t test for comparing the levels of Cu and Zn between ISCMP and normal subjects. The mean Cu level of the ISCMP group (1.54 ± 0.52 mg/L) was significantly more than the Cu levels of the healthy volunteers (1.31 ± 0.24 mg/L; p = 0.048). The mean Zn levels of the ISCMP and healthy volunteers were 1.05 ± 0.28 and 1.12 ± 0.42, respectively, without any significant difference between groups. There was a trend for higher Cu level, lower Zn level, and lower Zn/Cu ratio in NYHA III patients in comparison with NYHA II group. Considering the results of this study, Cu may have a role in the development of ISCMP. Interventions such as administration of Cu chelators to relieve the symptoms or to decrease the progression of ISCMP is needed to be examined in large clinical trials. In this study, the Zn level of ISCMP patients was not significantly different in comparison with the healthy volunteers.     

Identification of Human Age Using Trace Element Concentrations in Hair and the Support Vector Machine Method

Trace element content in hair is affected by the age of the donor. Hair samples of subjects from four counties in China where people are known to have long lifespan (“longevity counties”) were collected and the trace element content determined. Samples were subdivided into three age groups based on the age of the donors from whom these were taken: children (0–15 years); elderly (80–99 years); and centenarians (≥100 years). We compared the trace element content in hair of different age groups of subjects. Support vector machine classification results showed that a non-linear polynomial kernel function could be used to classify the three age groups of people. Age did not have a significant effect on the content of Ca and Cd in human hair. The content of Li, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Ni in human hair changed significantly with age. The magnitude of the age effect on trace element content in hair was in the order Cu > Zn > Ni > Mg > Mn > Cr > Li. Cu content in hair decreased significantly with increasing age. The hair of centenarians had higher levels of Li and Mn, and lower levels of Cr, Cu, and Ni comparing with that of the children and elderly subjects. This could be a beneficial factor of their long lifespan.     

The Study of Cu and Zn Serum Levels in Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy (IDCMP) Patients and its Comparison with Healthy Volunteers

Changes in the cupper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations have been reported previously in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCMP). As a result of controversial results, the aim of this study was to compare the Zn and Cu concentrations and Zn/Cu ratio of IDCMP patients to healthy volunteers. In addition, the correlation of Cu and Zn levels with age has been evaluated. The study population consisted of 18 IDCMP patients and 27 healthy volunteers. IDCMP patients had normal angiography with echocardiography supporting cardiomyopathy without pericardial and valvular diseases. Exclusion criteria were renal or hepatic insufficiency, alcohol usage, and intake of supplements containing Cu or Zn within 1 week ago. Cu and Zn levels have been assayed with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 10 software with independent sample t test for comparing the level of Cu and Zn of IDCMP patients with normal subjects and Pearson correlation to determine the correlation between numeric data. P < 0.05 was considered as significant differences. There was a trend for a lower Zn level in IDCMP patients compared to healthy volunteers. (0.97 ± 0.25 mg/l vs. 1.12 ± 0.42 mg/l, respectively). The mean Cu levels of IDCMP and normal subjects were 1.33 ± 0.20 mg/l and 1.31 ± 0.23 mg/l, respectively. There was a significant difference in Zn/Cu ratio among patients based on the NYHA classification of heart failure (P = 0.003). Age was negatively correlated with Zn levels in IDCMP group (P = 0.037) and positively with Cu levels in healthy volunteers (P = 0.012). A lower Zn level in IDCMP patients compared to healthy volunteers and specially a significant difference in Zn/Cu ratio of patients based on their NYHA classification would suggest a critical role of zinc and Cu imbalance in development of IDCMP.     

Changes in Trace Elements during Follicular Atresia in Goat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capra hircus</Emphasis>) Ovary

Quantitative analysis of follicular fluid and granulosa cells from small, medium and large antral atretic follicles of goat (Capra hircus) ovaries was conducted to study the alterations in trace elements viz zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). The zinc content was lower in the follicular fluid (0.993 ± 0.001, 0.935 ± 0.002, 1.321 ± 0.001 μg/ml) and granulosa cells (0.867 ± 0.002, 0.801 ± 0.001, 1.073 ± 0.002 μg/mg) of small, medium, and large antral atretic follicles respectively than their respective controls. Copper quantity was higher in the follicular fluid (0.113 ± 0.001, 0.163±0.001 0.{163}\pm 0.00{1} , 0.224 ± 0.001 μg/ml) and granulosa cells (0.094 ± 0.001, 0.114 ± 0.001, 0.182 ± 0.001 μg/mg) from small, medium, and large antral atretic follicles respectively than their respective controls. Similarly, iron and manganese was also found higher in the follicular fluid and granulosa cells of small, medium, and large antral atretic follicles than their respective controls. The present study provides the basic data on trace elements that can be safely used as atretic marker and will find use in in vitro studies for fertility improvement plan. Thus, help in elevating the number of ovulations and screening of follicles to enhance the success rate in vivo and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer technology.     

Determination of Zinc,Copper, Iron,and Manganese in Different Regions of Lamb Brain

The levels of zinc, copper, iron, and manganese were measured in the hippocampus, thalamus, gyrus cinguli, hypothalamus, and in the prefrontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital cortexes of lamb brain by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Standard addition method was also applied to samples and it was observed that there was no matrix interference affecting the determination of elements interested. In the determination of Cu, a slotted tube atom trap was used to improve sensitivity. One-way analysis of variance was used for the statistical evaluation of the results for each element. Limit of detection results for Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn were found to be 24, 4.5, 60, and 25 ng/mL, respectively. Region-specific differences were found for all elements interested. Mn concentration ranging from 0.29 ± 0.04 to 0.61 ± 0.04 mg/kg was found to be the lowest in all brain regions among the all elements interested.     

Serum Zinc,Copper, and Zinc/Copper in Healthy Residents of Jinan

Sera of 890 healthy Jinan residents were chosen randomly, and the concentrations of serum Zn and Cu were detected by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean serum Zn and Cu concentrations and Zn/Cu were 1.32 ± 0.49 mg/l, 0.99 ± 0.26 mg/l, and 1.41 ± 0.56, respectively. Significantly higher levels of serum Zn and Zn/Cu but lower serum Cu were found in the men. Descending tendency of serum Zn and Zn/Cu was observed with social-economic status and age but not significant. Alcohol consumption produced higher level of serum Zn and Zn/Cu but lower Cu concentration. Smoking caused significant lower level in serum Cu concentration but no significance in serum Zn and Zn/Cu. Serum Zn and Zn/Cu were normal only when hours of sleep a night were kept within 7–9 h. Higher level of serum Zn and Cu concentrations and Zn/Cu were observed in individuals with regular physical exercise, but still no significant difference existed. No clear relationship between educational levels with serum Zn and Cu concentrations and Zn/Cu was observed.     

The Effect of Age and Gender on 37 Chemical Element Contents in Scalp Hair of Healthy Humans

The effect of age and gender on minor and trace element contents in the scalp hair of 80 relatively healthy 15- to 55-year-old women and men was investigated. Contents or upper limit of contents of 37 chemical elements in the scalp hair were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) for the mass fraction of Ag, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Eu, Fe, Hf, Hg, I, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Th, and Zn (milligrams per kilogram of dry hair) were 0.191 ± 0.018, 0.0102 ± 0.0014, 6.33 ± 0.68, 3.59 ± 0.26, 1320 ± 110, 0.369 ± 0.055, 1245 ± 133, 0.0707 ± 0.0054, 2.78 ± 0.22, 0.0082 ± 0.0021, 88.2 ± 6.7, 0.040 ± 0.012, 0.145 ± 0.009, 6.93 ± 1.05, 146 ± 14, 0.238 ± 0.025, 0.0030 ± 0.0007, 163 ± 17, 2.29 ± 0.30, 344 ± 31, 0.65 ± 0.10, 0.062 ± 0.005, 0.0100 ± 0.0012, 0.248 ± 0.008, 0.0090 ± 0.0010, 45.7 ± 3.5, 0.0168 ± 0.0019, and 154 ± 3, respectively. The upper limits of contents of Cd, Cs, Gd, Nd, Ta, Tb, Tm, and Yb were ≤0.17, ≤0.013, ≤0.104, ≤0.19, ≤0.011, ≤0.0048, ≤0.0057, and ≤0.0047, respectively. In all hair samples, the contents of As was under detection limits <0.01. The tendency for the Ce, La, and Th content to increase with age was found in the human hair, but statistically significant changes were shown for females only. The mass fraction of Rb in the male scalp hair increases and of Cl decreases with age. It was shown that higher Au, Ca, Mg, and Sr mass fractions as well as lower Cl, Fe, I, Sc, Se, and Sm content were typical of female hair as compared to those in male hair.