Effects of dexamethasone on trace elements and serum protein patterns following brain trauma in rats

The effect of dexamethasone (Dxm) on trace elements and serum protein patterns was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to brain trauma. After 6-or 24 h of the traumatic incident, the level of serum copper was significantly higher in the Dxm-treated rats, compared to controls (p<0.05). The corresponding levels of zinc and iron did not show significant differences. The zinc level returned to normal 24 h after trauma. After 6 and 24 h of trauma, the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel patterns of serum proteins showed that a 41.6-kDa protein was significantly increased in the Dxm-treated animals. Two proteins weighing 26.6 kDa and 55.1 kDa did not show Dxm-induced changes. These results suggest that increases in the copper-zinc ratio and the changes of the 26.6-kDa, 41.6-kDa, and 55.1-kDa proteins might be a useful prognostic indicator for severe traumatic brain injury.     

Trace elements, age, and sex in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease

The statistical tests analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, correlation coefficient, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test,t-test, and Tukey test were applied to copper, magnesium, managenese, and zinc content in serum (S) and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of controls and of a sporadic form of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) disease. This is carried out in order to evaluate statistically the possible relationships among the trace elements when ALS patients and controls are considered as independent groups, within sex groups and within age decades of both patients and control classes. A statistically significant difference between older controls (age >40) and ALS patients (age>40) for copper in CSF, copper in S, manganese in S, and zinc in CSF was found. Statistically significant correlation coefficients within the different classes formed for this study were observed. Within this pool, a correlation of patient group can differ statistically from the corresponding one of controls and vice versa. Thus, this correlation could be characteristic of the group from which is extracted, e.g., the correlation between copper in S and zinc in S, which is characteristic of ALS patients when considered as an independent group as well as members of the male patient class.     

Reference values for trace and ultratrace elements in human serum determined by double-focusing ICP-MS

Reference values for trace and ultratrace elements concentrations in healthy human serum, measured by double-focusing inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), are presented. Blood donors from Asturias (Spain) were selected as the reference population (n=59). Blood samples were collected, after donation, taking the necessary precautions to avoid contamination. All subjects analyzed had normal renal function and nutritional status, as shown from their creatinine and albumin levels. A total number of 14 elements (Al, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Pb, and U) were monitored almost simultaneously. Serum samples were diluted 1+4 with ultrapure water and matrix interferences were corrected using Sc, Ga, Y, and Tl as internal standards. Fe, Cu, and Zn were also determined by isotope dilution analysis (IDA). Reference trace element concentrations intervals observed containing 95% of the reference distribution after excluding outliers are presented. Fourteen serum samples from hemodialysis patients were also analyzed for comparison. High levels of Al, Cr, Sr, Mo, Mn, Pb, U, Co, and Cu and low levels of Fe, Zn, and Rb were found in the serum samples from hemodialysis patients compared to the corresponding reference values observed in this work.     

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.     

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     

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.     

Chromatographic study of magnesium and calcium binding to immobilized human serum albumin

The use of immobilized human serum albumin (HSA) as a stationary phase in affinity chromatography has been shown to be useful in resolving optical antipodes or to investigate interactions between drugs and protein. However, to our knowledge, no inorganic ion binding has been studied on this immobilized protein type. To do this, the human serum albumin stationary phase was assimilated to a weak cation-exchanger by working with a mobile phase pH equal to 6.5. A study of the eluent ionic strength effect on ion retention was carried out by varying the buffer concentrations and the column temperatures. The thermodynamic parameters for magnesium and calcium transfer from the mobile to the stationary phase were determined from linear van’t Hoff plots. An enthalpy–entropy compensation study revealed that the type of interaction was independent of the mobile phase composition. A simple model based on the Gouy–Chapman theory was considered in order to describe the retention behavior of the test cations with the mobile phase ionic strength. From this theoretical approach, the relative charge densities of the human serum albumin surface implied in the binding process were estimated at different column temperatures.     

Trace elements enhance biofilm formation in UASB reactor for solo simple molecule wastewater treatment

In this paper, trace elements (TE) adding was investigated in one bench-scale UASB reactor treating solo simple molecule wastewater with the aim of evaluating its effect on enhancing biofilm formation. After adding sufficient TE (3 mL/L) in the influent, during 3 days, COD removal efficiency increased from 74% to 90% comparing to no adding TE. Over 55 days of operation, the organic loading rate (OLR) reached 11 g/L/day with COD removal efficiencies greater than 90%. While in the steady running period no effect even improvement on treatment performance was observed without any TE adding. The results illuminated that TE accounted for quick start-up of the UASB biofilm system rather than ever known biocatalyst.     

嘉陵江8种鱼类不同组织微量元素含量分析

测定了黄颡鱼（Pelteobagrus fulvidraco）、中华倒刺钯（Spinibarbus sinensis）、大鳍鲠（Mystus macropterus）、长吻鲍（Leiocassis longirostris）、大眼鳜（Siniperca kneri）、小口鲇（Silurus asotus）、岩原鲤（Procypris rabaudi）和圆口铜鱼（Coreius guichenoti）8种嘉陵江名贵鱼不同组织微量元素含量及肌肉和脑中Ca、P含量,结果表明,鱼脑中各类矿物质元素显著高于肌肉;肌肉5种微量元素总量由低到高依次为：圆口铜鱼、中华倒刺鳃、长吻鲍、大鳍鲮、黄颡鱼、大眼鳜、岩原鲤、小口鲇;而脑由低到高依次为：大眼鳜、岩原鲤、小口鲇、圆口铜鱼、大鳍鲢、中华倒刺鳃、长吻鲍、黄颡鱼。微量元素在各内脏器官的分布：铁和铜以肝（胰）脏最高,肾脏其次,胃肠最低;锰和锌的含量肾脏〉肝（胰）脏〉胃肠;镁的分布各种鱼差异较大。     

The association between content of the elements S,Cl, K,Fe, Cu,Zn and Br in normal and cirrhotic liver tissue from Danes and Greenlandic Inuit examined by dual hierarchical clustering analysis

ProjectMeta-analysis of previous studies evaluating associations between content of elements sulphur (S), chlorine (Cl), potassium (K), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and bromine (Br) in normal and cirrhotic autopsy liver tissue samples.ProcedureNormal liver samples from 45 Greenlandic Inuit, median age 60 years and from 71 Danes, median age 61 years. Cirrhotic liver samples from 27 Danes, median age 71 years. Element content was measured using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Statistics: Dual hierarchical clustering analysis, creating a dual dendrogram, one clustering element contents according to calculated similarities, one clustering elements according to correlation coefficients between the element contents, both using Euclidian distance and Ward Procedure.ResultsOne dendrogram separated subjects in 7 clusters showing no differences in ethnicity, gender or age. The analysis discriminated between elements in normal and cirrhotic livers. The other dendrogram clustered elements in four clusters: sulphur and chlorine; copper and bromine; potassium and zinc; iron. There were significant correlations between the elements in normal liver samples: S was associated with Cl, K, Br and Zn; Cl with S and Br; K with S, Br and Zn; Cu with Br. Zn with S and K. Br with S, Cl, K and Cu. Fe did not show significant associations with any other element.ConclusionsIn contrast to simple statistical methods, which analyses content of elements separately one by one, dual hierarchical clustering analysis incorporates all elements at the same time and can be used to examine the linkage and interplay between multiple elements in tissue samples.     

A preliminary study of trace elements in plasma protein by gel chromatography combined with SXRF

Fractions of plasma protein of male Kunming mice (body weight 24.2±0.3g), treated with Cisplatin i.p. injection in dose of 10mg/kg, were obtained by separation on Sephadex-G-50 columns, buffered with ammonium acetate to pH 5.7. The SXRF experiments were performed at the BEPC (Beijing Electron Positron Collider) synchrotron radiation facility. The elements (Pt, S, Ca, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br and Sr) in the fraction of the plasma proteins (< 22KD) were assayed using highly sensitive SXRF. The relative concentrations of elements were calculated by a normalization of Compton scattering intensity around 22 keV, after the normalization for collecting time of X-ray spectrum and the counting of the ion chamber, and subtracting the contribution of the polycarbonate film used for supporting the samples. The determination could prove that the element Pt in plasma was bound with macro-molecularprotein. Cu and S were present in the fraction of the protein in mice treated with Cisplatin and exhibited an increase, the ratio of treated/control were 1.66±0.06 and 1.78±0.33 respectively, whereas Zn decreased to a ratio of 0.78±0.09. Our results are in agreement with others which showed that Cisplatin exposure leads to a marked loss of kidney copper, and a moderate rise in kidney zinc. However, this work mainly focussed on the implementation of this analytical procedure, but not on the results of the investigations of the effect of Cisplatin on trace elements in plasma protein.     

Concentrations of trace elements in the hair of the guinea pig

Various animal models have been employed for research on the significance of measuring trace element concentrations in the human scalp hair. The objects of such research were the establishment of relationships between the concentrations of trace elements in human scalp hair and (1) their concentrations in other compartments of the human body or (2) specific pathophysiological conditions. The guinea pig appears to be the animal of choice for such studies because the elemental composition and growth pattern of its hair parallel those of the human scalp hair.     

微量元素在大鼠体内的分布

为了研究微量元素在大鼠体内的分布,本实验将大鼠分为两组,喂镍组大鼠每天灌喂1％硫酸镍0.25毫升,另一组大鼠喂水作对照,一个月后,处死全部大鼠,取鼻咽、气管、食管、胃、小肠、心、肝、脾、肺、肾、大脑、颅骨及皮毛等13种器官和组织,用发射光谱技术测定微量元素的含量。结果表明,喂镍组大鼠的鼻咽、气管、食管、肺、颅骨、心、脾和肾的镍含量显著地高于正常组(P<0.01),实验组大鼠鼻咽的镍含量明显增高这一事实,可以解释硫酸镍在诱发大鼠鼻咽癌的作用。     

Trace element contents in the bone as an age and sex indicator. A case study of the necropolis of “S'Illot des Porros” (Spain)

The levels of trace elements in bones can provide information about the diet of a selected population and at the same time can provide information about the sex and age of the individuals. The aim of this study is to discuss this latter point; a study of sex and age by Sr, Mg, Ba, Cu, Zn, V and Ca levels made in femurs and ribs. The investigation was conducted in the Necropolis of S'Illot des Porros (Mallorca, Spain). In general the results show that differences between the various age and sex groups of the selected population are not significant.     

马边大风顶自然保护区大熊猫食性与微量元素的关系

从1991年5～8月、1992年7～8月、1993年4～7月、9～10月在马边县大风顶自然保护区大熊猫观察站约40 km²的研究区域内, 进行野外跟踪调查, 并将各种竹子及大熊猫新鲜粪便按不同季节进行随机采样烘干后在室内进行Cu、Zn、Mn、Fe、K、Ca、Mg 等7种元素的测定分析。结果表明 , 大熊猫在不同时期对 7 种元素的总量或某一种元素的摄入都不相同, 这是通过选择不同的食谱即改变食性而实现的, 并由于各期有不同的生命活动 (特别是繁殖活动)所引起的。