Heroin dependence effects on some major and trace elements

In this study, 56 (14 control and 42 addicts) adult human subjects of both sexes of different periods of heroin dependence were subjected to the measurement of whole blood, serum, and red blood cell levels of some trace elements (zinc, managanese, iron copper, and bromine), as well as some major elements (phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, potassium, and chlorine). This was done by the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique, in which copper and bromine showed a significant rise in whole blood (male) (22 and 32%, respectively), while zinc, iron, manganese, calcium, sulfur phosphorus, potassium, and chlorine showed a significant drop (49, 8, 25, 34, 21, 51, 61 and 72%, respectively) in proportion to the period of heroin intake (6 yr) and in comparison with the control group. No significant sexual variation has been reported.     

Age-related changes in the concentrations of major and trace elements in the brain of rats and mice

Age-related changes in the concentrations of constituent elements in the brains of rats and mice 1 wk to 24 mo old were determined with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Seventeen elements could be determined with reasonable accuracy and reproducibility. They were P, K, Na, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Rb, Al, Mn, Sr, Mo, Co, Pb, Cs, and Cd in order of concentrations in the adult rat brains. In these elements, six major elements (P, K, Na, Fe, Mg, Ca) were determined with ICP-AES and the others with ICP-MS. The concentrations of each element and the pattern of age-related changes were similar between the rat and mouse brains. The elements of which concentrations decreased with aging were K and Rb. On the other hand, the concentrations of some metal elements, including Fe, Cu, Sr, and Co, appeared to increase with growth and aging. The concentrations of other elements were relatively constant throughout the age examined.     

微量元素对糖尿病大鼠糖脂代谢的影响

目的观察微量元素铬对糖尿病大鼠糖脂代谢的影响。方法选糖尿病大鼠经灌胃给予有机铬水溶液治疗12周后,分别观察口服有机铬200μg/d及400μg/d的糖尿病大鼠空腹血糖及血脂水平(血清总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白和高密度脂蛋白)。实验分为4组:1组为正常对照组;2组为铬200μg/d组;3组为铬400μg/d组;4组为糖尿病对照组。结果有机铬具有明显降低血糖、血清总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白和甘油三酯及升高高密度脂蛋白的作用(P0.05~P0.01)。结论有机铬能明显改善糖尿病大鼠的糖脂代谢。     

Secondary metabolism: Regulation by phosphate and trace elements

Secondary metabolism and cellular differentiation occur within a range of concentrations of phosphate and, in specific taxonomic groups, of zinc, manganese, and/or iron that is much narrower than that permittee for primary metabolism. Possible molecular sites of action of the four elements are reviewed.     

Effects of pruning on the concentration of trace elements in Colophospermum mopane leaves

Despite the nutritional value of Colophospermum mopane to browser's diets, there is still insufficient knowledge on the effect of browsers on concentrations of these trace elements. A field experiment was conducted in Musina Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa, to determine the effect of pruning on the concentration of trace elements in mopane leaves. Samples were analysed for iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), fluoride (F) and selenium (Se) using the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry technique. The effect of pruning was tested using the two‐tailed t‐test: two‐sample assuming equal variance and two‐tailed Mann–Whitney U‐test. Results showed that the concentration of trace elements in the control and pruned trees varies slightly through the year. Fe, Mn, Mo, Cu, Zn and Se are higher during leaf flush, but declined as the leaves matured and aged. This study concluded that simulated browsing had no significant effect on the concentration of trace elements in the mopane leaves. Seasonal variation in the amount of trace elements has implications on the distribution of browsers in the mopane woodland.     

Effects of oral aluminum on essential trace elements metabolism during pregnancy

The present study was conducted to assess in rats the effects of oral aluminum (Al) exposure on calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) accumulation and urinary excretion. Three groups of plug-positive Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were given by gavage 0, 200, and 400 mg/kg/d of Al(OH)₃ on gestational days 1–20. Three groups of nonpregnant female SD rats of the same age received Al(OH)₃ by gavage at the same doses for 20 consecutive days. At the end of the treatment period, 24-h urine samples were collected for analysis of Al and essential elements. Subsequently, all animals were sacrificed and samples of liver, bone, spleen, kidneys, and brain were removed for metal analyses. With some exceptions, the urinary amounts of Al, Mn, and Cu excreted by pregnant animals as well as the urinary levels of Al excreted by nonpregnant rats were higher in the Al-treated groups than in the respective control groups. Although higher Al levels were found in the liver of pregnant rats, the concentrations of Al in the brain of these animals were lower than those found in the same tissues of nonpregnant rats. With regard to the essential elements, tissue accumulation was most affected in pregnant than in nonpregnant animals. In pregnant rats, the hepatic and renal concentrations of Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Fe, as well as the levels of Ca in bone, and the concentrations of Cu in brain were significantly higher in the Al-exposed groups than in the control group. According to the current results, oral Al exposure during pregnancy can produce significant changes in the tissue distribution of a number of essential elements.     

A SXRF method for determining the relative concentration of trace elements in plasma protein affected by cisplatin

This article presents an analytical method for the determination of the relative concentrations of trace elements in plasma protein by gel chromatography combined with SXRF (synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence). The fraction of plasma protein of male Kunming mice (body weight 24.2±0.3 g), treated with a cisplatin ip injection at a dose of 10 mg/kg, was obtained by the separation of a Sephadex G-50 column (buffered with ammonium acetate, pH 5.7). The SXRF experiments were performed at the 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 (>22 kDa) 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 the collection time of the X-ray spectrum and the counting of the ion chamber, and subtracting the contribution of the polycarbonate film for the supporting sample. The determination could prove that the element Pt in plasma was bound with macromolecular protein. Cu and S were present in the fraction of the protein in mice treated with cisplatin increase, and their ratios of treated/control were 1.66±0.06 and 1.78±0.33, respectively; Zn decreased to a ratio of 0.78±0.09. Our results are in agreement with others that cisplatin exposure leads to a marked loss of kidney copper and a moderate rise in kidney zinc. However, this article primarily describes one of the analytical methods used; it does not emphasize the results of the effect of cisplatin on trace elements in plasma protein.     

Effect of subchronic exposure to arsenic on levels of essential trace elements in mice brain and its gender difference

The interactions of toxic metals with essential metals may result in disturbances in the homeostasis of essential elements. However, there are few reports about toxic effect of arsenic (As) on the levels of essential trace elements in the central nervous system. To investigate whether subchronic exposure to As disturbs levels of main essential trace elements in the brain of mice and whether the gender difference in the response to As are altered, the concentrations of As, Iron (Fe), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) and Chromium (Cr) in the cerebrum and cerebellum of mice exposed to As subchronically were examined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The gender difference in the changed levels of these essential trace elements was also statistically analyzed. The concentration of As was significantly higher in the cerebrum or cerebellum of mice exposed to As than that in control group (P < 0.05). It indicates that As can accumulate in brain of mice after subchronic exposure. The concentrations of Fe, Se and Cr in the cerebrum or cerebellum were significantly lower in mice exposed to As than those in control group (P < 0.05). On the contrary, the concentration of Cu in the cerebrum or cerebellum was significantly higher in mice exposed to As (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that subchronic exposure to As may decrease the levels of Fe, Se and Cr or increase the level of Cu in the brain of mice. Moreover, the significant gender difference was found relative to the effect of As on concentration of Se in cerebrum and concentrations of Cu and Se in cerebellum of mice. Therefore, more experiments are required to further understand mechanisms whereby As interacts with essential elements in brain and induces the gender difference.     

Effects of dietary calcium on the metabolism of trace elements in male and female rats

The effect of dietary calcium on the metabolism of iron, zinc, copper, and manganese in male and female rats was investigated. For 3 or 6 weeks the rats were fed three diets containing: (1) 0.26, (2) 0.52, or (3) 2.08% Ca. The apparent absorption of iron was depressed by the high calcium diet, and manganese absorption was highest in the low calcium groups. Generally there was a decrease in the absorption of minerals from 3 to 6 weeks. With an increase in the dietary calcium the absorption of Ca and P decreased. The liver iron concentration in the females fed diet 3 decreased from about 600 to 200 microg/g dry weight. The high calcium intake also caused a slight increase in the heart calcium levels in both sexes. However, diet 3 prevented kidney calcification in the female rats at 6 weeks and this was attributed to a dramatic decrease in the urinary phosphorus, although the calcium had increased about 40 times. In males, on the other hand, the high calcium diet caused some kidney calcification.     

Effects of inflammation and antiinflammatory treatment on serum trace elements concentrations

We investigated the serum concentrations of zinc and copper during the inflammatory process together with the effect of treatment with a nonsteroid anti-inflammatory agent on these trace elements concentrations. In the present study, we used 92 guinea pigs, 12 of which constituted the control group; the remaining 80 were the experimental group. To start with, proquazone (as anti-inflammatory agent) was administered orally to 40 guinea pigs of the experimental group at 20-mg/kg doses 2 h before the surgery. Throughout the experimental period, the above dose was administered to the animals twice a day. We produced inflammation in all animals of the experimental group by using carrageenan (inflammatory agent) dropped into mandibular surgical defects. Serum concentrations of zinc and copper were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in both groups at the 6th, 48th, 120th, 168th, and 240th h. The serum zinc concentrations of the carrageenan-administered group decreased significantly (p<0.01). When comparing the serum zinc concentrations of the carrageenan plus proquazone-administered group with those of control group, the decrease (p<0.05) at the 6th, 48th, and 120th h were statistically significant. When the copper serum concentrations of the carrageenan-administered group were compared with those of the control group, at the 48th, 120th, and 168th h, a statistically significant increase (p<0.01) was observed. However, there was no significant change in the carrageenan plus proquazone-administered group at the 168th and 240th h. As a result during the acute phase of inflammation, serum zinc concentrations decreased, whereas serum copper concentrations increased. The alterations in zinc concentrations were more rapid than those in copper concentrations, but the administration of proquazone slowed the rate of decrease in serum zinc concentrations. This work was presented at the Fourth International Congress of Pathophysiology, June 29–July 5, 2002, Budapest, Hungary.     

Distribution of trace elements in normal and tumor-bearing mice using the multitracer technique

A multitracer solution obtained from the nuclear reaction of selenium with 25-MeV/nucleon ⁴⁰Ar ions was orally administered to normal and tumor-bearing Balb/c male mice. After 96 h, the mice were sacrificed and the elemental distribution was determined in various tissues, organs, and blood. The uptake of Na, Rb, Ga, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Fe, Zn, Y, Zr, Tc, Ru, Ag, and In in normal and, except for zinc, in tumor-bearing mice was simultaneously detected. Most elements were distributed in about the same manner in the skin and liver of animals in both groups. The distribution of Rb, Ga, V, Cr, Tc, and In showed little or no significant differences between the two study groups. The distribution of Na, Mn, Fe, Ag, Sc, and Co showed significant differences between normal and tumor-bearing mice. In the blood, spleen, and kidney of the normal mice, there was good absorption of Na, Mn, Fe, Ag, Co, and Zn. In the heart, these elements were well absorbed, except for Na and Mn.     

Effect of dietary protein, zinc, and carbon monoxide on fetal zinc concentration in mice

Dietary protein and zinc deficiencies known to be detrimental to the developing fetus are common in pregnant women in developing countries. Everyone in modern society is at risk of exposure to carbon monoxide (CO). This study was conducted to observe the effect of dietary protein, zinc, and exposure to CO on the fetal zinc concentrations by factorial experimentation. Pregnant mice of CD-1 strain were maintained on 17% (control) or 9% (deficient) protein diets mixed with deficient, normal (control), or supplemental zinc throughout gestation. The dams in each dietary group were exposed to air (control) or 500 ppm CO in air in environmental chambers from gestation day 8 to gestational day 18. The dams were sacrificed on d 18 and fetal zinc levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Carbon monoxide levels used in this study had no significant effect on fetal zinc concentration in any treatment group. When both dietary protein and zinc levels were normal, the mean fetal zinc concentrations were higher than all other dietary protein/zinc combinations (15.2±6.0 and 14.2±4.1 μg Zn/g of tissue for 0 and 500 ppm CO levels). However, when dietary protein levels were deficient, supplemental zinc increased the fetal zinc concentrations significantly (12.7±3.8 and 13.1±0.3.6 μg Zn/g of tissue, in 0 and 500 ppm CO groups) as compared to zinc-deficient groups (8.7±3.0 and 10.0±3.3 μg Zn/g of tissue in 0 and 500 ppm CO groups). The results of this study may be relevant to populations that experience both marginal zinc and protein diets during gestation.     

Effect of trace elements and vitamins on the growth of Methanosarcina barkeri

Growth of Methanosarcina barkeri on methanol as energy source was found to be dependent on cobalt and molybdenum. In the presence of 10^?6 M Co and 5 × 10^?7M Mo optimal growth occurred. Furthermore it could be demonstrated that nickel and selenium each in a concentration of 10^?7 M stimulated the growth of this methanogenic bacterium while the following elements tested in the range of 10^?7 M to 10^?3 had no influence: B, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb. The requirement of Co and Ni for optimal growth are in accordance with the results that the cells contain the Co containing corrinoid Factor III (0.1 – 0.2 mg 5-hydroxylbenzimidazolylcyanocobamide per g wet cells) and Factor F₄₃₀, a nickel component. Studies on the vitamin dependency of M. barkeri showed that this strain needs only the vitamin riboflavin for the growth in a defined medium. Under these conditions a cell density of 2.6 g dry cells/l could be obtained in a fed batch culture.     

Effect of CO 2 concentration on phospholipid metabolism in the isolated perfused rat lung

Studies have been carried out on the incorporation of [U-(14)C]glucose, [2-(14)C]pyruvate, [2-(14)C]acetate, and [1-(14)C]-palmitate into the phospholipids of the isolated perfused rat lung in the presence of either 6 or 45 mm total CO(2) concentration in the perfusion medium. Incorporation of [U-(14)C]glucose into total phospholipid and into the phosphatidylcholine fraction was increased 19-53% over the 2-hr perfusion period in lungs perfused with medium containing 45 as compared with 6 mm CO(2). The incorporation of [2-(14)C]acetate, [2-(14)C]-pyruvate, and [1-(14)C]palmitate was not affected by the change in medium CO(2) concentration. Increased incorporation of [U-(14)C]glucose combined with a shift toward greater incorporation into the fatty acids of the phosphatidylcholine fraction produced a maximum increase of 90% in [U-(14)C]glucose incorporation into the fatty acids of phosphatidylcholine after 2 hr of perfusion in the presence of medium containing 45 mm CO(2) as compared with 6 mm CO(2). The increase in medium CO(2) concentration produced as much as a 150% increase in [U-(14)C]glucose incorporation into palmitate derived from the phosphatidylcholine fraction. The results provide evidence that glucose functions as an important precursor of palmitate in the phosphatidylcholine fraction of lung phospholipids and that the CO(2) concentration of the perfusion medium affects the incorporation of glucose into palmitate.     

Relative and combined effects of ethanol and protein deficiency on some hair trace elements

This study was performed in order to analyze the relative and combined effects of ethanol and protein deficiency on hair copper, zinc, manganese, and iron content in four groups of seven animals each which were pair-fed during 8 wk with (1) a nutritionally adequate diet, (2) a 36% (as energy) ethanol-containing isocaloric diet, (3) a 2% protein, isocaloric diet, and (4) a 36% ethanol, 2% protein isocaloric diet, respectively, following the Lieber-DeCarli model, and to analyze the relationship between hair copper, zinc, manganese, and iron content, and the liver and muscle content of these elements. Although there was a trend to higher levels of all the elements analyzed in the the hair of the low-protein fed animals, differences were statistically significant regarding copper and manganese, effects being solely attributable to the low protein diet, not to ethanol. Moreover, hair copper was significantly, inversely related with final weight and weight loss. There were significant relationship between liver zinc and muscle zinc (r=0.57, p=0.002), but not between liver or muscle zinc and hair zinc; no correlations were observed between muscle copper and hair copper, nor between liver manganese and hair manganese. An inverse, statistically significant correlation was observed between liver copper and hair copper (r=−0.39, p<0.05).     

Association between concentration of trace elements in serum and bronchial asthma among Japanese general population

Background and aimsA number of previous studies had revealed the association between trace elements in serum and bronchial asthma. However, only a few researches had focused on serum concentration of trace elements in a general population. In this study, an association between trace elements in serum and bronchial asthma was investigated in a general population.MethodsSubjects were 1025 volunteers (385 males and 640 females between ages 19 and 82 years old) who had participated in the Iwaki Health Promotion Project 2005. Bronchial asthma was diagnosed based on the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II according to the self-questionnaires on health conditions of subjects. The serum concentrations of certain trace elements (manganese, copper, zinc, selenium and iron) were measured and compared. Also, an association between serum trace elements level and neutrophil-related functions (oxidative burst activity, phagocytic activity, serum opsonic activity) were determined.ResultsIn males, no significant differences were seen in any serum trace elements concentrations. In females, serum zinc level was significantly higher in bronchial asthma group than in control. A positive correlation was seen between serum concentration of zinc and serum opsonic activity in both genders.ConclusionsIn female asthmatics, increase of oxidative stress was suggested to be caused by superoxide dismutase pathway (elimination system of reactive oxygen species) rather than serum opsonic activity (production system of reactive oxygen species from neutrophils) pathway, as the zinc concentration in bronchial asthma group was higher than that in control.     

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.