New aspects on the distribution and metabolism of essential trace elements after dietary exposure to toxic metals

Under present environmental conditions, an increase in pollution owing to metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and methylmercury (MeHg) must be expected. The resulting effects would be seen particularly in the food chain. The daily intake of toxic metals in various parts of the world is different and depends on both the dietary habits and the concentration in foodstuffs. Oral ingestion of these toxic metals perturbs the metabolism of essential elements, especially zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and selenium (Se). The elemental composition of body tissues and fluids is an indicator of the nutritional and pathological status of humans. This review will describe the dietary intake and gut absorption of essential and toxic elements. Furthermore, it will discuss threshold values, toxic effects in relation to body burden of toxic metals, the biological indices of exposure, and the interaction between toxic and essential elements. The overall ratio of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Se concentration to Cd in the human kidney is the lowest in comparison to Hg and Pb. Increased kidney copper and urinary losses may be common denominators in the manifestation of renal toxicity induced by heavy metals. Factors affecting availability and loss of copper should be identified and measured. The critical kidney concentration for Cd, Pb, and MeHg should be revised in relation to essential elements.     

Study of Chromosomes in the Newborn after Ultrasonic Fetal Heart Monitoring in Labour

The effect of continuous-wave ultrasound on the chromosomes of newborn infants has been investigated. Twenty-four women were studied during labour. The fetal heart was monitored by a Sonicaid FM2 monitor applied to the abdomen, and continuous monitoring undertaken for intervals varying from 1 hour 5 minutes to 9 hours 25 minutes. There was no increase in the number of chromosome aberrations in cultures of blood taken from the insonated babies when compared with controls.     

Guinea-pig liver tryptophan pyrrolase. Absence of detectable apoenzyme activity and of hormonal induction by cortisol and possible regulation by tryptophan

1. When assayed in fresh homogenates, guinea-pig liver tryptophan pyrrolase exists only as holoenzyme. It does not respond to agents that activate or inhibit the rat liver enzyme in vitro. Only by aging (for 30min at 5 degrees C) does the guinea-pig enzyme develop a requirement for ascorbate. 2. The guinea-pig liver enzyme is activated by the administration of tryptophan but not cortisol, salicylate, ethanol or 5-aminolaevulinate. 3. The tryptophan enhancement of the guinea-pig liver pyrrolase activity is prevented by 0, 34 and 86% by pretreatment with actinomycin D, cycloheximide or allopurinol respectively. 4. The guinea-pig liver tryptophan pyrrolase is more sensitive to tryptophan administration than is the rat enzyme. On the other hand, the concentrations of tryptophan in sera and livers of guinea pigs are 45-52% less than those in rats. 5. It is suggested that tryptophan may regulate the activity of guinea-pig liver tryptophan pyrrolase by mobilizing a latent form of the enzyme whose primary function is the detoxication of its substrate.     

Validation of the cumulative or replicate NAA method for the determination of trace elements in biological materials

Biological Trace Element Research - To make the best use of time and facilities, a neutron activation system, fully automatic, including spectrum and data processing, to be used with short-lived...     

Anticancer potential of Ferula assa-foetida and its constituents,a powerful plant for cancer therapy

Cancer is one of the main challenges of the health system around the world. This disease is increasing in developing countries and imposes heavy costs on patients and governments. On the other hand, despite various drugs, the death rate among cancer patients is still high and the current treatments have many harmful effects. In the traditional medicine of different countries, there are many medicinal plants that can be effective in the treatment of cancer. Ferula plants are traditionally used as spices and food or for medicinal purposes. Ferula assa-foetida is one of the famous plants of this genus, which has been used for the treatment of various diseases since ancient times. Among the main compounds of this plant, we can mention monoterpenes, sulfide compounds and polyphenols, which can show different therapeutic effects. This article has been compiled with the aim of collecting evidence and articles related to the anti-cancer effects of extracts, derived compounds, essential oils and nanoparticles containing Ferula assa-foetida. This review article was prepared by searching the terms Ferula assa-foetida and cancer, and relevant information was collected through searching electronic databases such as ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Fortunately, the results of this review showed that relatively comprehensive studies have been conducted in this field and shown that Ferula assa-foetida can be very promising in the treatment of cancer.     

Enhancement of rat brain tyrosine aminotransferase activity by cortisol

Administration of cortisol to rats enhanced brain tyrosine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase activity by a mechanism excluding stabilization, but possibly involving enhanced synthesis, of the enzyme.     

Uptake and localization of mercury in the brain of rats after prolonged oral feeding with mercuric chloride

Summary Uptake and localization of mercury was studied in rats orally intoxicated with inorganic mercury.By atomic absorption spectrophotometry large quantitative differences were found between test and control animals, particularly relating to blood, kidney and brain.By histochemical demonstration of heavy metals the uptake in the CNS was shown to occur particularly within the cytoplasm of large neurons in the cortex, pons and basal ganglia but also in other neurons, to some extent in the choroid plexus and the vessel walls, and least in the white matter. No lesions were detectable by light microscopy. The mercury was mostly in the methylated form, something that may be explained by gastrointestinal methylation by bacteria. A similar mechanism can be expected in human chronic inorganic mercury poisoning.