The Content of Structural and Trace Elements in the Knee Joint Tissues.

Wojciech Roczniak,Krzysztof Mitko,Magdalena Babuśka-Roczniak,Magdalena Konieczny,Elżbieta Cipora,Agata Jakóbik-Kolon,Barbara Brodziak-Dopierała

doi:10.3390/ijerph14121441

Abstract

Many elements are responsible for the balance in bone tissue, including those which constitute a substantial proportion of bone mass, i.e., calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, as well as minor elements such as strontium. In addition, toxic elements acquired via occupational and environmental exposure, e.g., Pb, are included in the basic bone tissue composition. The study objective was to determine the content of strontium, lead, calcium, phosphorus, sodium and magnesium in chosen components of the knee joint, i.e., tibia, femur and meniscus. The levels of Sr, Pb, Ca, P, Na and Mg were the highest in the tibia in both men and women, whereas the lowest in the meniscus. It should be noted that the levels of these elements were by far higher in the tibia and femur as compared to the meniscus. In the components of the knee joint, the level of strontium showed the greatest variation. Significant statistical differences were found between men and women only in the content of lead.

Highlights

Environmental exposure, food and drink cause accumulation of some elements in the osseous tissue, which often leads to various illnesses of this tissue
Calcium is essential for bone growth, as it is required for the mineralisation
An adequate intake of calcium is one of a number of factors that are important for acquiring bone mass and attaining peak bone mass (PBM)

Summary

Introduction

Environmental exposure, food and drink cause accumulation of some elements in the osseous tissue, which often leads to various illnesses of this tissue. Calcium can be taken from osseous stock, making the organism nondependent from its supply in a diet. Calcium ions take part in controlling many basic functions of cells and tissues. They are indispensable in activation of many enzymic systems, division of cells, their secretory activities, in muscle cramps, transferring impulses and in many different processes [4,5]. Calcium is essential for bone growth, as it is required for the mineralisation (impregnation of the bone matrix with minerals). Diets containing insufficient amounts of calcium may lead to a low bone mineral density, which may have implications for bone health, notably risk of osteoporosis, in later life [6]

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