Multitracer Screening: Brain Delivery of Trace Elements by Eight Different Administration Methods

Trace elements are closely associated with the normal functioning of the brain. Therefore, it is important to determine how trace elements enter, accumulate, and are retained in the brain. Using the multitracer technique, which allows simultaneous tracing of many elements and comparison of their behavior under identical experimental conditions, we examined the influence of different administration methods, i.e., intravenous (IV), intraperitoneal (IP), intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC), intracutaneous (IC), intranasal (IN), peroral (PO), and percutaneous (PC) administration, on the uptake of trace elements. A multitracer solution containing 16 radionuclides (i.e., ⁷Be, ⁴⁶Sc, ⁴⁸V, ⁵¹Cr, ⁵⁴Mn, ⁵⁹Fe, ⁵⁶Co, ⁶⁵Zn, ⁷⁴As, ⁷⁵Se, ⁸³Rb, ⁸⁵Sr, ⁸⁸Y, ⁸⁸Zr, ^95mTc, and ¹⁰³Ru) was used. The results indicated that the ⁸³Rb brain uptake rate with intranasal administration was approximately twice those obtained with the other administration methods. This result indicated that a portion of Rb was delivered into the brain circumventing the blood circulation and that delivery could be accomplished mainly by olfactory transport. Multitracer screening of trace element delivery revealed differences in brain uptake pathways among administration methods.     

Correlation between serum cholesterols and trace element uptake in liver,kidney, and blood of hypercholesterolemic mice

The radioactive multitracer technique was applied to the simultaneous determination of the uptake of 17 trace elements (Be, Na, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, and Ru) in the liver, kidney, and blood of hypercholesterolemic model mice. The uptakes of Be, Sc, V, Cr, Fe, As, Rb, Y, Zr, Nb, and Ru in liver increased with an increasing feeding period of a cholesterol-rich diet, whereas the uptakes of Zn and Se decreased. Feeding of the diet resulted in a marked increase in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The metabolism of trace elements between cholesterolemic and normal mice was compared with respect to their serum cholesterol levels. A significant positive correlation was found between the concentration of serum triglycerides and liver uptakes of Cr, Fe, and As and a negative correlation for the uptake of Zn. A significant positive correlation was found between the concentrations of serum high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols and kidney uptakes of Cr and Rb. A negative correlation was found between the uptake of Be in the blood and the concentration of serum triglycerides. These results suggest that cholesterolemia have some specific effects on the metabolism of some elements.     

Preliminary study on the relationship between osteoporosis and trace elements with rat models

Thirty rats were divided randomly into five groups and fed with different feeds. They were killed after 2 mo. Right thighs of these rats were taken as samples. Bone mineral densities of these samples were measured by the double-energy x-ray bone mineral densitometer, and trace elements contents of the samples were analyzed by neutron activation analysis. Results of the experiments showed that some elements were well correlated with others, and there were obvious variances between some elements of the normal group and those of other four groups.     

A survey of trace elements in pteridophytes

Concentration of 11 trace elements (Ca, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, Rb, Cs, Ba, La, and Ce) in 96 pteridophytes (fern and fern ally species) was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis to evaluate a concentration range for each element and also to find species characteristic in the uptake of trace elements. Asplenium trichomanes was found to accumulate Sc, Cr, and Co to the highest concentrations among 96 pteridophytes. The highest concentration of Ca and Zn was observed for Asplenium obscurum. The other Pteridophytes exhibited only one element whose concentration was the highest. A positive correlation was found between the concentrations of Fe and Sc, and also between the concentrations of Cr and Co. The remarkable accumulation of lanthanides (La and Ce) was observed mainly in diversifying genera (Polystichum and Dryopteris in Dryopteridaceae, Diplazium in Woodsiaceae, and Asplenium in Aspleniaceae).     

Isolation of giant mitochondrial nucleoids from the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae

Summary The yeast cellsSaccharomyces cerevisiae grown up to stationary phase under either anaerobic conditions, or aerobic conditions in the presence of a respiratory inhibitor, antimycin A, had distinctive giant mitochondrial nucleoids (mt-nucleoids) (apparent diameter 0.6–0.9 m) in contrast with the small mt-nucleoids (apparent diameter 0.2–0.4 m) in respiratory-sufficient cells grown aerobically, as revealed by DAPI-fluorescence microscopy. The cytoplasmic respiratory-deficient cells (rho^– cells), which were induced by treatment of wild-type cells with ethidium bromide, showed both giant and small mt-nucleoids of irregular size. In order to examine the structural and functional differences between giant and small mt-nucleoids, the former were successfully isolated from spheroplasts of three different cells by differential centrifugation and centrifugation on a discontinuous sucrose gradient. The isolated giant mt-nucleoids were intact in the morphology and were free of significant contamination by nuclear chromatin. The number of protein components involved in each of three different giant mt-nucleoids was similar to the number in small mt-nucleoids from aerobically grown cells, though a few noticeable differences were also recognized. DNA-binding proteins with molecular masses of 67 kDa, 52 kDa, 50 kDa, 38 kDa, 26 kDa, and 20 kDa were the main components of small mt-nucleoids from aerobically grown cells as detected by chromatography on native DNA-cellulose. In contrast, the 67 kDa and 52 kDa proteins were hardly detected in corresponding fractions of giant mt-nucleoids from anaerobically grown cells and from rho^– cells grown aerobically. On the other hand, mt-nucleoids from aerobically grown cells in the presence of antimycin A seemed to lack the 67 kDa protein but to have a small amount of the 52 kDa protein. This is the first demonstration of the variance of protein species involved in yeast mt-nucleoids according to the respiratory activity of mitochondria.     

Uptake and distribution of trace elements in maturing soybean

The uptake and translocation of trace elements in maturing soybean plants cultivated on soil were studied over 360 h under diurnal conditions after the administration of a multitracer. The contents (%/g) of Co, Se, Rb, Sr, Ru, Rh, and Cs in all the leaves and stems collected from each node increased up to around 200 h after the administration of the multitracer and then decreased with time. The contents of Zn, Tc, and Re in the leaves and Zn in the stems continuously increased up to 360 h, but Tc and Re in the stems showed maximum content. This observation suggests the translocation of these elements from old leaves to growing leaves via stems. The relationship between the content (%/g) of an element in the seeds and pods, and the cultivation time varied depending on the kind of element and on the growth steps. Mathematical analyses were applied to the behavior of the elements in the soybean. The time dependence of the uptake rate (%/g/h) and distribution of elements in each part of the plant were characteristic of the element.     

Uptake and distribution of trace metal elements in wheat seedlings

The uptake and distribution of eight metallic elements were examined in wheat seedlings for a period of 12 d with a radioactive multitracer technique. The radioactive nuclides of the seedlings were simultaneously determined by γ-ray spectrometry. All of the elements studied were taken up by the wheat seedlings and mainly accumulated in the roots. Only some elements were transported to shoots and leaves of the seedlings or bound to leaf proteins, and two elements were transported into the chloroplast. Uptake of most elements reached a maximum on the fifth or the eighth day and then gradually decreased afterward. In the cases of ^95mTc and ⁷²Se, the uptake increased continuously within 12 d without the peak uptake. The change of elemental concentrations was dependent on uptake and excretion rates. The dynamics of metal elements taken up by the wheat seedlings and their distribution in roots, shoots, and leaves were different for each element, suggesting that it may depend on the characteristics of the elements.     

微量元素营养对桉树无性系苗木叶绿素及荧光参数影响

研究了不同微量元素营养液,对栽培的三种桉树无性系苗木叶绿素及荧光参数变化。结果表明:各无性系苗木在全部测试性状的差异表现出极显著。在六个测试的微量元素因子中,Fe(B)显著地影响苗木的Fo、Fm、Fv/Fo、Fv/Fm,Zn(C)显著地影响Fo、Fv/Fm,Mn(D)显著地影响叶绿素含量(SPAD值),Mo(F)显著地影响叶绿素含量、Fo,B(G)显著地影响叶绿素含量Fo、Fv/Fo、Fv/Fm。相关分析表明Fm与Fo、Fv/Fo与Fo、叶绿素含量与Fo、Fm、Fv/Fm与Fv/Fo均存在显著的相关性。随着微量元素Fe、Zn、Cu、Mo、B浓度增大,Fo、Fv/Fm均呈增大趋势,但在不利的高浓度环境下,Fv/Fm降低。对三个无性系叶绿素荧光比较,U₆与DH_32-29具有高的Fo、Fm和低的Fv/Fm、Fv/Fo,DH_201-2却具有低的Fo、Fm和高的Fv/Fm、Fv/Fo。对微量元素浓度变化,DH_32-29较敏感。因此,叶绿素荧光参数可作为诊断植物微量元素营养状况的指标之一。     

Essential trace elements in milk and blood serum of lactating donkeys as affected by lactation stage and dietary supplementation with trace elements

The aim of this trial was to study the concentration of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co) and iodine (I) in milk and blood serum of lactating donkeys, taking into account the effects of lactation stage and dietary supplementation with trace elements. During a 3-month period, 16 clinically healthy lactating donkeys (Martina-Franca-derived population), randomly divided into two homogeneous groups (control (CTL) and trace elements (TE)), were used to provide milk and blood samples at 2-week intervals. Donkeys in both groups had continuous access to meadow hay and were fed 2.5 kg of mixed feed daily, divided into two meals. The mixed feed for the TE group had the same ingredients as the CTL, but was supplemented with a commercial premix providing 163 mg Zn, 185 mg Fe, 36 mg Cu, 216 mg Mn, 0.67 mg Se, 2.78 mg Co and 3.20 mg I/kg mixed feed. The concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Se, Co and I were measured in feeds, milk and blood serum by inductively coupled plasma-MS. Data were processed by ANOVA for repeated measures. The milk concentrations of all the investigated elements were not significantly affected by the dietary supplementation with TE. Serum concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu Mn and Se were not affected by dietary treatment, but TE-supplemented donkeys showed significantly higher concentrations of serum Co (1.34 v. 0.69 μg/l) and I (24.42 v. 21.43 μg/l) than unsupplemented donkeys. The effect of lactation stage was significant for all the investigated elements in milk and blood serum, except for serum manganese. A clear negative trend during lactation was observed for milk Cu and Se concentrations (−38%), whereas that of Mn tended to increase. The serum Cu concentration was generally constant and that of Co tended to increase. If compared with data reported in the literature for human milk, donkey milk showed similarities for Zn, Mn, Co and I. Furthermore, this study indicated that, in the current experimental conditions, the mineral profile of donkey milk was not dependent on dietary TE supply.     

不同施肥水平下小麦籽粒中部分微量元素含量的研究

在不同肥力水平和结构下对不同肥量籽粒中部分微量元素含量变化进行研究,结果表明：施肥量大小和肥料构成对小麦籽粒中微量元素含量有明显的影响,在低肥水平下籽粒中Mn、Zn和Fe含量增加,其中Zn的增幅超过1倍,Cu和Al含量降低;在中肥水平下微肥用量增加1倍,籽粒中Mn含量高11．2％,Al和Zn含量分别降低50％和30．1％,Fe和Cu元素含量变化不大,调节其它肥料量和结构,籽粒中Mn、Zn、Cu含量降低;在高肥水平下增加钾肥,有利于籽粒中Mn、Zn、Fe、Al含量积累,分别高23．2％、16．2％、33．9％和58．6％,而Cu含量变化不大。在中肥投入水平下调节氮肥籽粒中微量元素含量随着肥力水平提高而降低,在高肥投入水平下减少氮肥用量有利于籽粒中Fe、Al和Zn的积累,Fe含量变化最大,增加2．14～2．63倍,Al含量高63．7％～65．7％,锌含量高13．3％～17．5％,铜的含量变化不大。锰含量随着磷肥用量的增加而增加。     

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.     

Role of trace elements in primary arterial hypertension

A negative relationship between water hardness and cardiovascular mortality rate was demonstrated and became a source of interest regarding minerals and trace metals in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and arterial hypertension. Higher incidences of sudden death, cerebrovascular diseases, arterial hypertension, and coronary heart disease have been reported in soft water areas. A major research effort has been devoted to the problem in an attempt to find a protective factor in hard water or a detrimental factor or element in soft water. The roles of calcium, magnesium, cobalt, lithium, vanadium, silicon, manganese, and copper have been considered potentially beneficial, whereas those of cadmium, lead, silver, zinc, and antimony have been considered potentially harmful. Cobalt and zinc have been attributed both roles. In the present article, the role of trace quantities of several elements in mineral water in the etiopathogenesis of primary arterial hypertension is reviewed. An erratum to this article is available at .     

INAA of trace elements in colorectal cancer patients

The concentration of trace elements in samples of both colorectal cancer tumors and normal tissues of a Mexican population were irradiated for 30 s and 4 h and their elemental content were measured by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Ca, Cu, Co, I, Mg, Se, Fe, Zn, Hg, Ba, and Cr were analyzed. Alterations in Co, Fe, I, and Ba were found in tumors with respect to normal tissues.     

The genetics of aging in the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae

The yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae possesses a finite life span similar in many attributes and implications to that of higher eukaryotes. Here, the measure of the life span is the number of generations or divisions the yeast cell has undergone. The yeast cell is the organism, simplifying many aspects of aging research. Most importantly, the genetics of yeast is highly-developed and readily applicable to the dissection of longevity. Two candidate longevity genes have already been identified and are being characterized. Others will follow through the utilization of both the primary phenotype and the secondary phenotypes associated with aging in yeast. An ontogenetic theory of longevity that follows from the evolutionary biology of aging is put forward in this article. This theory has at its foundation the asymmetric reproduction of cells and organisms, and it makes specific predictions regarding the genetics, molecular mechanisms, and phenotypic features of longevity and senescence, including these: GTP-binding proteins will frequently be involved in determining longevity, asymmetric cell division will be often encountered during embryogenesis while binary fission will be more characteristic of somatic cell division, tumor cells of somatic origin will not be totipotent, and organisms that reproduce symmetrically will not have intrinsic limits to their longevity.     

天门冬属九种药用植物的氨基酸和微量元素分析

百合科(Liliaceae)天门冬属(Asparagus (Tourn.)L.)植物具有悠久的药用历史,如天门冬(A.cochinchinesis (Lour) Merr.)早在汉代《神农本草经》中就被列为上品,具有滋阴、润燥、降火、止咳等功效。现代药理研究及临     

Non-random distribution of the Ty1 elements within nuclear DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ty1 homologous sequences appear to be non-randomly distributed among different density classes of nuclear yeast DNA. Characteristic patterns of Ty1 containing EcoRI fragments can be generated from the various DNA fractions. The sequences are particularly enriched in the A + T rich part of the main nuclear DNA fraction, while the frequency in the rDNA containing heavy satellite DNA is low. The transposon however, seems to be present in this dense fraction, at least for some strains.     

Essential trace elements in humans

Serum arsenic concentrations of persons suffering from renal failure and undergoing hemodialysis treatment (n=85) and of healthy controls (n=25) were determined by hydride-generation AAS technique after microwave digestion. The results were evaluated by comparing the values of both groups, considering physiological factors and individual data, as well as comorbid conditions of the hemodialysis (HD) patients. Serum arsenic levels were diminished in the patient group compared with controls (mean values 8.5±1.8 ng/mL vs 10.6±1.3 ng/mL). Furthermore, additional diseases within the hemodialysis group, particularly injuries of the central nervous system (CNS), vascular diseases, and cancer, were correlated to occasionally markedly decreased serum arsenic concentrations. It was concluded that arsenic homeostasis is disturbed by HD treatment and certain additional diseases. Desirable arsenic concentrations in the body seem to be reasonable. This consideration results in the conclusion that arsenic could play an essential role in human health. Thus, reference arsenic concentrations in different human tissues and body fluids should be established in order to recognize not only arsenic intoxication, but also arsenic deficiency. Perhaps arsenic deficiency contributes to the increased death risk of HD patients, and therefore, arsenic supplementations for patients with extremely low serum arsenic concentrations should be taken into account.     

海水中痕量铂族元素的赋存形态及螯合树脂富集研究进展

海水中铂族元素(PGEs)的含量和赋存形态与其生物地球化学行为及生态风险密切相关,但如何确定海水中PGEs的含量和形态一直是研究的难点.螯合树脂对特定元素和特定配体结构的识别特性为突破这一瓶颈提供了可能.因此,本文综述了海水中铂族元素赋存形态的研究现状,讨论了螯合树脂吸附铂族元素的机理,并对比了不同类型螯合树脂对铂族元素的富集.结果表明: 海水中PGEs的无机络合形态主要由[MCl₃OH^2-]/[MCl4^2-](M=Pt、Pd)及M(OH)₃^{3-n(n=3～6)(M=Rh)组成;螯合树脂对PGEs的不同络合形态有一定的识别性;氮-硫型螯合树脂是研究实际条件下海水中PGEs的理想树脂.}     

Studies on some trace and minor elements in blood

Blood is one of the widely used specimens for biological trace element research because of its biological significance and ease of sampling. We have conducted a study of the blood of the Kalpakkam township population for trace and minor elements. For this purpose, analytical methods have been developed and standardized in our laboratory for the elemental analysis of blood plasma and red cells. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), a relatively new technique, has been applied for the analysis of trace elements. Details regarding spectral interference and matrix interference encountered in the analysis of blood and the methods of correcting them have been discussed. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS)/atomic emission spectrometry (AES) has been applied for the determination of minor elements. Precision and accuracy of these methods have also been discussed.     

Serum changes in trace elements during thyroid cancers

The objective was to examine changes in trace elements due to thyroid cancer in humans. Serum levels and tissue contents of trace elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Mg, Fe and Se) were measured in 43 patients with thyroid cancer before and 4 days after surgery were compared to normal values. The serum levels of zinc in cancer patients were lower than those of normal subjects. Surgical removal of the cancer resulted in the restoration of these levels. Although serum Cu levels in patients were not different from normal, but post-operatively these levels rose significantly (p < 0.001). Levels of Fe, Mg and Mn were significantly lower (p < 0.001) post-operatively. There was no significant change in Serum Se levels. The thyroid tissue contents of these trace elements did not show a difference between the normal (Juxta-tumor) thyroid tissue and the cancerous lesion. Out of the six trace elements examined, the decrease of serum levels of zinc in cancer patients may be linked to the disease condition. It is suggested that this change: (a) may be used to demonstrate successful cancer surgery and (b) may have implications for a long-term follow-up of thyroid cancer patients.