The influence of biological and environmental factors on metallothionein concentration in the blood |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Departamento de Geoquímica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista s/n, Instituto de Química, 5° andar, Centro, Niterói, RJ 24020-141, Brazil;2. Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo, C/Julian Claveria 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain;3. Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, São Francisco Xavier St. 524, 4018E, 20550-013 Maracanã, RJ, Brazil;1. Laboratory for Anthropology and Skeletal Biology, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 4/2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;2. Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia |
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| Abstract: | The concentration of metallothionein (MT), a low-molecular-weight protein, is regulated by many factors, primarily metals (zinc, cadmium, copper), cytokines, glucocorticoides and free radicals. These factors are determined by such aspects of human biology as gender, pregnancy and age, as well as by environmental factors including the use of oral contraceptives and cigarette smoking, all which may affect MT levels in the body.The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of these biological and environmental factors on MT concentrations in erythrocyte lysate and in plasma.MT concentrations were determined by a two-step direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Evaluation of exposure to cigarette smoking was performed by checking cotinine levels in the plasma of subjects.The studies showed higher MT concentrations in both the erythrocyte lysate and plasma of women when compared to men. Furthermore, pregnancy causes an increase of MT concentration in plasma, while oral contraceptives cause an elevated concentration of MT in erythrocyte lysate. Age impacts plasma MT concentrations in men, whereas it does not affect concentrations of MT in erythrocyte lysate. |
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| Keywords: | Metallothionein Biological factors Environmental factors |
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