Blood Levels Of Trace Elements Research Articles

Trace element contamination in three shorebird species migrating through Delaware Bay, New Jersey: arsenic, mercury and selenium are increasing.

Many shorebird populations are declining, and contaminants may be partly contributing to the decline by interfering with feeding, migration, and breeding success. The goal of our study was to determine whether there was a temporal change in concentrations of trace elements of red knot (Calidris canutus rufa), sanderling (Calidris alba), and ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres) during spring migration in Delaware Bay, New Jersey, USA. We sampled blood to 1) determine levels of trace elements in 2019, 2) compare 2019 trace element levels with those from shorebirds in 2011-2012, and 3) examine variability in blood levels of trace elements among species. In 2019: 1) trace element levels were significantly different among species (except cadmium[Cd]), 2) Cd was lowest in all species, and arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) were highest, and 3) sanderlings had the highest levels of As and Se, and knots had the highest levels of chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb). Se was higher in these shorebirds than reported for other shorebirds from elsewhere. As, mercury (Hg), and Se increased significantly between 2011-2012 and 2019 in all three species. There were no significant temporal changes in Cd. Chromium (Cr) decreased in knots and sanderling. The temporal increases in As, Se, and Hg bear watching as they are toxic in vertebrates, and each can decrease the toxicity of the others. The data indicate that shorebirds can be bioindicators of changing trace element levels in estuaries, potentially providing early warning of increasing levels of As, Hg, and Se in the environment.

Association between trace elements and cognitive function among hemodialysis patients in Turkey.

Cognitive impairment is common among patients with hemodialysis. Hemodialysis patients have theoretical risks for both deficiency and accumulation of trace elements. We aimed to investigate the relationship between cognitive dysfunction and whole blood levels of trace elements in hemodialysis patients. We also aimed to examine the effect of baseline trace element status and cognitive dysfunction on mortality. Maintenance hemodialysis patients and age-and sex-matched controls were included. The whole blood levels of trace elements were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cognitive impairment was defined as a score of ≤24 points on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test. Executive dysfunction was also defined as Trails A score of more than 75 s and Trails B score of more than 180 s. Forty-two patients and 35 controls were included. Cognitive impairment was detected in 69% of the patients and 45.7% of the controls (p = 0.039). Cognitively impaired patients had lower education years (p = 0.003) and higher whole blood levels of manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) (p = 0.026, p = 0.019, respectively) compared to patients without cognitive impairment. Mn levels were also found statistically higher in patients with executive dysfunction compared to patients without executive dysfunction (p = 0.005). Lower education years and higher Pb levels were independent risk factors for cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients (odds ratio [OR] 0.589 [95% confidence interval, CI 0.400-0.866, p = 0.007] and OR 1.047 [95% CI 1.001-1.096, p = 0.047, respectively]). Cognitive impairment, especially impaired executive function, is common among patients with hemodialysis patients. Cognitive impairment is not found to be associated in cross-sectional analysis with several modifiable end-stage renal disease- and dialysis-associated factors. The accumulation of trace elements especially Mn and Pb might exacerbate the cognitive dysfunction in hemodialysis patients.

P10-11: Associations between blood levels of trace elements and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

P10-11: Associations between blood levels of trace elements and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

#4596 ASSOCIATION OF LOW BLOOD SELENIUM CONCENTRATIONS WITH POOR MUSCLE MASS AND STRENGTH IN JAPANESE HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract Background and Aims Trace elements play an important role in muscle function and metabolism. Little information is available of a role of trace elements for sarcopenia (i.e. low muscle mass and strength) in patients on hemodialysis (HD). We aimed to investigate association between blood levels of trace elements and nutritional status or sarcopenia in HD patients. Method This cross-sectional study including patients undergoing HD at our center was conducted in June 2022. Clinical/demographic data and blood samples were collected before HD sessions at start of the week. Blood levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn), serum levels of creatinine (Cr), total cholesterol (Tch) and albumin (Alb) and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Handgrip strength, gait speed and muscle mass (skeletal muscle index: SMI) measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were analyzed. Sarcopenia was assessed by Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) and nutritional status by the Nutritional Risk Index-Japanese Hemodialysis (NRI-JH), which was calculated based on serum Cr, Tch, Alb and BMI (PLoS One. 2019, 14(3):e0214524). Peason's correlation coefficient test, multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between trace elements and nutritional indicators. Results Eighty-two patients (56 males and 26 females) were included, with a median dialysis vintage of 9.1±7.1 years and an average age of 68.7±12.2 years. Severe malnourished patients as defined by the NRI-JH and sarcopenia defined by AWGS accounted for 6.0% and 37.8% of enrolled patients, respectively. In all patients, the mean levels of Zn, Cu, Se, and Mn (in μg/dL) were 65.8±11.3, 84.1±22.2, 9.2±1.5 and, 1.2±0.6. respectively. The levels of Zn, Cu, Se and Mn were lower than normal levels in 72 cases (87.8%), 18 cases (22%), 57 cases (69.5%), and 13 cases (15.9%), respectively. There was an inverse correlation between the levels of Se and age (r = -0.298 p = 0.003) but not HD vintage. No significant correlation was found between the NRI-JH scores and blood levels of trace elements in all patients. Blood trace elements have been shown to be affected by gender. Thus, we next examined whether blood levels of trace elements and the relationship between blood trace elements and SMI and strength are different between male and female HD patients. The levels of Zn and Mn did not differ between males and females. The levels of Cu were lower in males (79.8±19.3 μg/dL) than females (93.0±25.4 μg/dL, p = 0.025). In contrast, the levels of Se were higher in males (9.5±1.5 μg/dL) than females (8.6±1.2 μg/dL, p = 0.0017). The multivariate logistic regression showed that higher blood levels of Zn and Se and lower Mn levels were independently associated with grip strength (p<0.01) but not gait speed in males. There was a significant positive correlation between Se and SMI (r = 0.305 p = 0.02) but not gait speed in males. In females, grip strength (r = 0.39, p = 0.048) and gait speed (r = 0.66, p<0.001) were independently associated with the Se levels but not Zn, Cu and Mn. However, there was no association between SMI and blood levels of Se, Zn and Mn in females. Conclusion Blood levels of Se were independently associated with grip strength and SMI in male HD patients. In female HD patients, the levels of Se were positively correlated with grip power and gait speed. Se may be implicated in muscle function and metabolism in HD patients.

Trace Element Imbalances in Acquired Hepatocerebral Degeneration and Changes after Liver Transplant.

Brain manganese (Mn) accumulation is a key feature in patients with acquired hepatocerebral degeneration (AHD). The role of trace elements other than Mn in AHD needs to be clarified. In this study, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, we aimed to evaluate blood levels of trace elements in patients with AHD before and after liver transplantation (LT). Trace element levels in the AHD group were also compared with those of healthy controls (blood donors, n = 51). Fifty-one AHD patients were included in the study (mean age: 59.2 ± 10.6 years; men: 72.5%). AHD patients had higher levels of Mn, Li, B, Ni, As, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sb, Tl and Pb and a higher Cu/Se ratio, and lower levels of Se and Rb. Six patients (two women; mean age 55 ± 8.7 years) underwent LT, and there was an improvement in neurological symptoms, a significant increase in the Zn, Se and Sr levels, and a decrease in the Cu/Zn and Cu/Se ratios. In summary, several trace element imbalances were identified in AHD patients. Liver transplantation resulted in the improvement of neurological manifestations and the oxidant/inflammatory status. It is possible that observed changes in trace element levels may play a role in the pathophysiology and symptomatology of AHD.

Do trace elements play a role in coronary artery calcification in hemodialysis patients?

Abnormalities of trace elements have previously been linked to inflammatory processes in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We aimed to establish the trace element status of maintenance HD patients, to investigate the relationship between coronary artery calcification scores (CACs) and whole blood levels of trace elements. Patients undergoing HD in three times a week for > 6months and age-and sex-matched controls were included from October 2015 to June 2016. Data were collected from patient files. All subjects' whole blood levels of trace elements were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). CACs for patients were assessed by multi-detector computed tomography. The 35 patients (male, 60%) with a mean age of 45.7 ± 10.4years and 35 controls were included. HD patients showed significantly lower levels of selenium and uranium and higher cadmium (Cd), cobalt, lithium, manganese, nickel, lead, platinum, tin, strontium, and thallium levels compared to controls. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) was present in 21 patients (60%), and median CACs were 14.2 (IQR 0-149). Patients with CACs > median were significantly older, had a higher prevalence of hypertension and lower ALP levels than patients with CACs ≤ median. No significant differences in whole blood levels of trace elements were found between patients with CACs > median and patients with CACs ≤ median. A near significance was noted in median whole blood levels of Cd between these groups (P = 0.096). According to multivariate analysis, age was the only independent determinant for CAC development. Age is independently associated with coronary vascular calcification. High Cd levels might play a role in CAC development in HD patients.

Determination of plasma and erythrocyte levels of copper, magnesium and zinc by atomic absorption spectrometry in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with metabolic syndrome.

Background and purpose:Imbalance in blood levels of trace elements is independent risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and its complications. This study investigated plasma and erythrocyte levels of copper, magnesium, zinc, and their correlations with biochemical components of the MetS in T2DM patients compared to the healthy controls.Experimental approach:Forty men recently diagnosed T2DM with MetS without complications and thirty six age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Plasma and erythrocyte levels of selected elements were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy.Findings/Results:The results of the present study showed significantly lower plasma levels of copper, magnesium, and zinc and lower erythrocytes copper in the patients’ group compared to the controls; while erythrocyte levels of magnesium and zinc were not significantly different between the two groups. Significant negative correlations were observed between plasma levels of copper with waist and hip circumferences, waist to hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin levels in all subjects; while erythrocyte copper levels showed significant negative correlation with triglyceride, and erythrocyte zinc was positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure and negatively with triglyceride.Conclusion and implications:Alterations of trace elements may have a significant role in the pathogenesis of MetS and T2DM patients. It is suggested that the body status of copper, magnesium, and zinc might be significantly correlated with components of MetS in T2DM patients; and plasma copper levels may be correlated with complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Trace Element Levels in the Serum of Hermann´s Tortoises (<i>Testudo hermanni</i>)

Up to now, blood reference values for trace elements (zinc, copper, iodine, iron, selenium and manganese) in the serum of Testudo spp. have not been established. Most studies concerning trace element levels in blood of reptile’s regard environmental pollution esp. concerning selenium. In the present study levels of iron, copper, iodine, zinc, selenium and manganese were evaluated in 130 blood samples of clinically healthy Hermann´s Tortoises (Testudo hermanni), originating from pet tortoises in Germany (n= 64), extensively kept captive-hatched tortoises from Turkey (n=20), and from free-ranging specimens of two locations in France (n=46). The French habitats differ in the nature of the soils, one being low in lime and another high in lime. The levels of trace elements in the blood were compared between the different groups and to the levels of trace elements in the respective feed rations resp. food plants. The aim was to check the correlation between origin, husbandry, feeding and sex on the levels of trace elements in the blood. Blood levels of trace elements, regardless of origin, gender, or diet, generally showed a wide range. Also there existed a poor correlation to contents in diet concerning iron, selenium, and manganese, but a statistically significant correlation to zinc, copper and iodine. Preliminary reference values of zinc, iodine and copper can be a useful tool to diagnose nutrient deficiencies, poisoning and deficiency symptoms in Testudo hermanni.

The Blood Levels of Trace Elements Are Lower in Children With Tic Disorder: Results From a Retrospective Study.

Background: Tic disorders (TD) are common neuropsychiatric disorders among children and adolescents. It is controversial that trace elements may participate in the pathogenesis of TD. Our study aimed to investigate the trace elements status of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and magnesium (Mg) in children with TD, in comparison to healthy controls.Methods: The medical records of eligible TD children and normal healthy children from January 1 to December 31, 2018 in the outpatient clinic were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical information of all subjects were collected including age, gender, diagnosis, previous health records, and serum trace elements level (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg) at the time of diagnosis before initiating treatment.Results: In total, 1204 TD children (7.63 ± 2.45 years) and 1,220 healthy children (7.27 ± 3.15 years) who were divided into two gender and three age groups (2–4years, 5–9years, ≥10 years) were reviewed in our study. Our study showed that TD children generally had lower whole blood levels of Zn, Cu, Fe than the normal controls (P < 0.01). No significant difference was observed in whole blood levels of Mg. After adjusting for gender, the trends still remained. Further analysis was performed according to age, the trends still remained in Zn and Fe in all age groups (P < 0.05). However, we observed an almost significantly (P = 0.055) lower level of Cu in TD of 2–4 years group while significant differences in other two groups (P < 0.01). Further multiple linear regression and point biserial correlation showed that the lower blood levels of Zn, Cu, and Fe were correlated with the incidence of TD.Conclusion: The present results indicated that lower blood levels of zinc, iron, copper were associated with TD. Trace elements may be used as an auxiliary treatment for TD and need to be further explored.

Associations of trace elements in blood with the risk of isolated ventricular septum defects and abnormal cardiac structure in children.

This study sought to determine correlations between the presence of isolated ventricular septum defects (VSDs) and blood levels of trace elements. A total of 144 patients with VSDs and 144 controls were recruited for cross-sectional assessment of trace elements and examination of cardiac structures in the Jiangsu and Anhui provinces between 2016 and 2018. Logistic regression was performed to explore the relationships between VSDs and trace elements. Additionally, general linear regression models were used to investigate relationships between trace elements and echocardiography indicators. Relative to the lowest zinc (Zn) concentrations, the highest Zn concentrations may be associated with lower odds of VSD development (OR = 0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01-0.29, P < 0.001). However, no significant relationships between the concentrations of other trace elements and the risk of VSD were identified. Aorta (AO) diameters were markedly smaller in the VSD group, whereas no significant between-group differences were observed for other echocardiography indicators. After adjusting for age and gender, linear regression indicated a significant association between Zn level and mean AO diameter (beta coefficient = 0.247, 95% CI = 0.126-0.367). Zn deficiency was observed in patients with isolated VSDs. Further work to explore the mechanisms by which Zn deficiency leads to VSDs is warranted.

Associations of blood levels of trace elements and heavy metals with metabolic syndrome in Chinese male adults with microRNA as mediators involved

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global health problem with an increasing prevalence. However, effects of trace elements and heavy metals on MetS and the mechanism underlying this effect are poorly understood. A preliminary cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015. Significantly higher blood concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) were observed in the MetS group. With a priori adjustment for age, the concentration of Cu and Se in the blood was associated with a 2.56 - fold [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11, 5.92] and 3.31 - fold (95% CI, 1.4, 7.82) increased risk of MetS, respectively. Moreover, increased blood Se concentrations were associated with body mass index (BMI) [odds ratio (OR): 2.56; 95% CI, 1.11, 5.93], high blood pressure [for both systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP); OR: 3.82; 95% CI, 1.47, 7.31 for SBP and OR: 2.56; 95% CI, 1.18, 5.59 for DBP], and hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 3.3; 95% CI, 1.51, 7.2). In addition, the expression of miR-21-5p, miR-122-5p, and miR-146a-5p was significantly higher in subjects with MetS than those without MetS. Increased expression of miR-21-5p was significantly associated with increased SBP (β = 5.28; 95% CI, 0.63, 9.94) and DBP (β = 4.17; 95% CI, 0.68, 7.66). Moreover, Cu was positively associated with miR-21-5p (β = 3.02; 95% CI, 0.07, 5.95), whereas Se was positively associated with miR-122-5p (β = 2.7; 95% CI, 0.64, 4.76). The bootstrapping mediation models indicated that miR-21-5p partially mediated the relationships between Cu level and SBP/DBP. This study suggested that Cu and Se were both associated with MetS, and miR-21-5p participated in the development of MetS associated with Cu.

Evaluation of Whole Blood Trace Element Levels in Chinese Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which has increased markedly during the last decades. Essential trace elements play an important role in neurological function and their imbalances are common in children with ASD. The objective of the present study was to investigate whole blood levels of trace elements including zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and magnesium (Mg) in Chinese children with ASD. In total, 113 children diagnosed with ASD and 141 age-matched and gender-matched neurotypical children, divided into two gender and age groups of preschool age (2-5years old) and school (6-10years old) age, were examined. The quantitative analyses of whole blood trace element contents were performed by using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. In the present study, the children with ASD generally had lower whole blood levels of Zn than the neurotypical controls. No significant differences in the whole blood Cu, Zn/Cu ratio, Fe, or Mg was detected between the ASD group and the control group. It is notable that whole blood Fe level in boys with ASD was significantly higher than in girls with ASD, and was nearly significant when compared with the control level of boys. After stratification for age, a significant 6% decrease in whole blood Zn levels was detected in preschool-aged children with ASD as compared to the control values. However, this significant ASD-related change was not detected in school-aged children. The whole blood Zn level and Zn/Cu ratio were significantly increased in school-aged children than in preschool-aged children in both ASD and control group. In addition, school-aged children with ASD had a significantly higher level of whole blood Fe than preschool-aged children with ASD. The results of the present study suggest an association between whole blood levels of Zn in Chinese children with ASD.

Trace Elements and Sepsis: Is there a Correlation?

International Journal of Medicine and Public Health,2018,8,4,133-139.DOI:10.5530/ijmedph.2018.4.28Published:December 2018Type:Original ArticleTrace Elements and Sepsis: Is there a Correlation?Agarwal Avinash, Kumar Anand, Gutch Manish, Consul Shuchi, Mahdi Ali Abbas, Razi Mohd Razi, Kumar Sukriti, Prakash Ved, Agarwal Vivek, and Gupta Kumar Anil Agarwal Avinash1,*, Kumar Anand2, Gutch Manish1, Consul Shuchi3, Mahdi Ali Abbas4, Razi Mohd Razi5, Kumar Sukriti6, Prakash Ved7, Agarwal Vivek8, Gupta Kumar Anil9 1Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, KGMU, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA. 2Senior Resident, Department of Medicine, KGMU, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA. 3DGO, Casualty Medical Officer, KGMU, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA. 4Professor and Head, Department of Biochemistry, KGMU, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA. 5Senior Resident, Department of Endocrinology, LLRM Medical College Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA. 6Department of Radiodiagnosis, KGMU, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA. 7Associate Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, KGMU, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA. 8Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, MAYO Institute of Medical Science, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA. 9Associate Professor, Department of PMR, KGMU, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA. Abstract:Background: In critical illness blood levels of trace elements vary with the acute phase reaction. Quantitative estimation of it (Serum Selenium and Serum Zinc) can be used as prognostic markers. Aim and Objective: To evaluate the correlation between trace elements and sepsis and correlate it with various other prognostic markers with mortality in sepsis. Material and Methods: It was a prospective, observational study. One hundred and fifty patients of sepsis were enrolled after using inclusion and exclusion criteria for study. Serum Selenium and Zinc were done by Perkin-Elmer Optima ICP spectrometer. Results: One hundred and fifty patients of sepsis due to various pathological causes included in study. Mortality was 37.34%. APACHE II (33.23±5.93) and SAPS II score (67.43±10.55) was found to statisticallysignificant in predicting the mortality (p<0.001). Serum selenium in expired group of patients was found to be lower (38.26±20.82) as compared to survivors (44.34±18.99). Similarly serum zinc also appears to be lower amongdeceased (65.90±54.72) as compared to survivors (71.94±54.29) but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our study shows that the patients with sepsis with lower level of serum selenium and serum zinc have poor outcome, but levels fails to correlate with severity of illness and death statistically. Keywords:Selenium, sepsis, Trace elements, ZincView:PDF (282.12 KB)

Blood Levels of Trace Elements in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Results from a Case-Control Study.

Some trace elements may participate in the pathogenesis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to investigate the trace element status of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and lead (Pb) in children with ADHD, and to compare them with normal controls. Associations between examined elements and SNAP-IV rating scores of ADHD symptoms were also assessed. Four hundred nineteen children with ADHD (8.8 ± 2.1years) and 395 matched normal controls (8.9 ± 1.7years) were recruited in the study. The concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, Mg, and Pb in the whole blood were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Lower zinc levels (P < 0.001) and the number out of normal ranges (P = 0.015) were found in children with ADHD when compared with the normal control group. The difference remained when adjusting the factor of BMI z-score. No significant between-group differences were found in levels of other elements. Zinc levels were negatively correlated with parent-rated scores of inattentive subscale of SNAP-IV (r = - 0.40) as well as with total score of SNAP-IV (r = - 0.24). Other significant associations were not observed. The present results indicated that there were alterations in blood levels of zinc, which was associated with the symptom scores of ADHD.

Impact of Trace Element Changes on Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate in Healthy and Diabetic States among Middle-Age and Elderly Egyptians

The aim of this study was to confirm if there is a link between the alteration in blood levels of trace elements (chromium, copper, lead, cadmium, and zinc) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in healthy and diabetic states. This study is the first study to test these parameters in Egyptians. The study included 150 subjects divided into the following four groups: healthy middle-aged, healthy elderly, middle-aged diabetics, and elderly diabetics. Our results revealed a statistically significant decrease in the level of DHEAS in the elderly compared to middle-aged healthy and diabetic groups (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference between the middle-aged groups with respect to zinc, copper, chromium, and cadmium levels. Zinc and copper were lower in the diabetic subjects while chromium and cadmium were higher in the same group in comparison to healthy subjects. In the elderly groups, there were significant increases in chromium and cadmium levels in diabetic subjects rather than healthy ones. There was a significant increase in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance level in the elderly healthy and diabetic groups and a significant decrease in the glutathione level in the elderly groups. There was no correlation between the levels of trace elements and DHEAS or between the levels of DHEAS, oxidants, and antioxidants in all of the tested groups. In conclusion, only the DHEAS level was correlated with age. There was no difference between the diabetic and healthy groups with respect to the levels of trace elements, with the exception of chromium and cadmium, which suggests the effect of pollution on the pathogenesis of diabetes in Egyptians. No correlation existed between the levels of DHEAS and trace elements, oxidants, and antioxidants. Finally, we believe that there is a large regional variation in the levels of trace elements due to different environmental exposure and nutritional factors which are responsible for contradictory results regarding the pathogenesis of diseases related to alterations in the levels of trace elements.

Abnormal Blood Levels of Trace Elements and Metals, DNA Damage, and Breast Cancer in the State of Kuwait

This study aims at investigating the blood level of Cu, Zn, Se, and Cd in breast cancer patients and the association between such level and the frequency of micronucleated lymphocytes. Fifty stage I breast cancer patients were recruited for this study at the time of diagnosis and before receiving any treatment or surgery. The control group consisted of 150 normal females matched to the patients for age (± 5years). The whole blood level of Cu, Zn, Se, and Cd was determined using spectrophotometry. The frequency of micronucleated lymphocytes in the blood was determined using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. The level of Cu, Zn, and Se was significantly lower (p = 0.0006, <0.0001, and <0.0001, respectively) in breast cancer patients, as compared to controls. The level of Cd was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the patients, as compared to controls. The frequency of lymphocytes with one micronucleus was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the patients, as compared to controls. In breast cancer patients, the frequency of micronucleated lymphocytes showed different associations with different levels of these trace elements. High Cd, low Zn, low Se, and both high and low Cu levels were significantly associated with micronucleus formation in lymphocytes. A similar association was found in the normal control group only in relation to high Se and Cd levels. Breast cancer patients seem to have abnormal levels of Cu, Zn, Se, and Cd, and such abnormality is associated with micronucleus formation in lymphocytes.

Trace elements in end-stage renal disease--unfamiliar territory to be revealed.

Although associated with unfavorable outcomes in the general population, abnormal blood levels of various trace elements have not been consistently studied in the end-stage renal disease population (with the notable exception of aluminum). This is surprising, as the uremic patient treated by chronic dialysis loses one major route of trace element excretion and is exposed systematically to a foreign environment (the dialysis fluid) possibly contaminated with significant amounts of potential deleterious trace elements. Moreover, some biological important trace elements may be lost through the dialysis membrane. Most studies to date demonstrated significantly altered blood levels of trace elements in ESRD patients compared to healthy controls. However, the biological impact of these abnormalities in renal disease is largely unknown and should be clarified by future studies. A further step would be the design of well-controlled randomized interventional studies, examining the potential therapeutic benefit of supplementing one or more trace elements in ESRD patients, a population characterized by an impressive mortality due to cardiovascular, infectious and neoplasic disease.

Effect of pentobarbital on pH and electrolyte levels after induced seizure in rats

We studied the effects of high doses of pentobarbital (PB) and carbamazepine (CBZ) on electrolyte levels and pH in an epileptic animal model. Pentobarbital decreased Ca2+ and Na+ levels without pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). After this, Ca2+ and Na+ levels continued to decrease except when CBZ was used, which preserved the Ca2+ levels PTZ may have opposed effects on PB. Our results suggest that PB causes changes in electrolyte levels and pH, but these changes are diminished by CBZ.

Blood Levels of Trace Elements, Electrolytes, and Oxidative Stress/Antioxidant Systems in Epileptic Patients

Epileptic patients exhibited variably altered status of trace elements, electrolytes, and free radical scavenging enzyme activities. We investigated the effect of epilepsy and long-term antiepileptic drug therapy on the serum level of some trace elements (zinc, selenium, and copper), electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium), and antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase, and uric acid) and plasma levels of lipid peroxidation index (malondialdehyde), total antioxidant capacity, and ceruloplasmin. Seventy epileptic patients and fourteen controls were recruited in this study. In the treated group (particularly with valproate), we reported increases in the levels of zinc, calcium, sodium, malondialdehyde, and glutathione peroxidase and decreases in the levels of copper, total antioxidant capacity, and ceruloplasmin with no difference in selenium, magnesium, and potassium. However among untreated epileptics, uric acid level was increased and total antioxidant capacity was markedly lowered. We conclude that the above parameters balance differs in epileptics comparable to controls and hence their correlation to seizures pathophysiology and their degree of control or resistance to antiepileptic drug therapy. Better regulation of the lipid peroxidation and antioxidants and fewer disturbances in mineral metabolism were observed in monotherapy versus polytherapy and with carbamazepine versus valproate therapy.