Analysis of Trace Elements in Human Brain: Its Aim, Methods, and Concentration Levels.

Cezary Grochowski,Ryszard Maciejewski,Dariusz Szczepanek,Eliza Blicharska,Jolanta Flieger,Paweł Krukow,Kamil Jonak,Marcin Maciejewski,Katarzyna Jonak

doi:10.3389/fchem.2019.00115

Abstract

Trace elements play a crucial role in many biochemical processes, mainly as components of vitamins and enzymes. Although small amounts of metal ions have protective properties, excess metal levels result in oxidative injury, which is why metal ion homeostasis is crucial for the proper functioning of the brain. The changes of their level in the brain have been proven to be a risk factor for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, as well as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Therefore, it is currently an important application of various analytical methods. This review covers the most important of them: inductively coupled ground mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), flame-induced atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), optical emission spectrometry with excitation in inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), and neutron activation analysis (NAA). Additionally, we present a summary of concentration values found by different research groups.

Highlights

Trace elements play a crucial role in many biochemical and physiological processes in humans, being mainly components of various vitamins and enzymes (Zecca et al, 2004; Bartzokis et al, 2007)
If it is important to know the spatial distribution of analytes on the surface of the tissue and to determine the state of elements occurrence, the method of surface imaging of the sample should be applied by mapping the elements quantitatively, e.g., laser ablation with detection in a mass spectrometer with ionization in inductively coupled plasma, LA inductively coupled ground mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
For instance (Wolf et al, 2003), we will find a combination of the ICP-MS method with CZE, which was used to study the content of metallothioneins in the human brain

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Trace elements play a crucial role in many biochemical and physiological processes in humans, being mainly components of various vitamins and enzymes (Zecca et al, 2004; Bartzokis et al, 2007). Their balance within the brain is regulated in a complex manner by brain barrier systems such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB), choroidal blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier, and even CSF-brain barrier (Strazielle and Ghersi-Egea, 2013). The brain tissues analyzed for the metal contents are mainly collected post mortem (from autopsy), as brain biopsy procedures are performed only for analysis of tumors for cancer diagnostics

SPECTROSCOPIC METHODS

NUCLEAR METHODS

Findings

CONCLUSIONS