Blood Serum Ca Research Articles

Selected micro- and macro-element associations with oxidative status markers in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) blood serum and ejaculate: a correlation study

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to (1) determine complex interactions between macro- and micro-elements present in blood serum and ejaculate of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and (2) examine the association between alterations in these macro- and micro-elements with markers of oxidative stress. Blood and ejaculate from 10 male carp were collected in the summer period on the experimental pond in Kolíňany (West Slovak Lowland). Reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), protein carbonyls (PC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in blood serum and ejaculate using spectrophotometric methods. The amounts of elements (Ag, Al, Ba, Co, Li, Mo, Ca, K, Na, and Mg) in all samples were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometry. Data demonstrated significant differences in elemental concentrations between blood and ejaculate, specifically significantly higher ejaculate levels were detected for Ag, Al, Ba, Co, Li, Mo, K, and Mg. Potassium was the most abundant macro-element in the ejaculate, while sodium was the most abundant in blood serum. Among the micro-elements, Al was predominant in both types of samples. It is noteworthy that oxidative status markers including ROS, TAC, and MDA were significantly higher in ejaculate indicating the presence of oxidative stress in C. carpio reproductive tissue. The positive correlations between Mg and Ca in blood serum and ejaculate suggest these elements play a functional role in metabolic and physiological processes. In contrast, the positive correlations of Ba and Al with markers of oxidative stress indicated the association of these metals with induction of oxidative stress. Our findings provide insights into the association of metals with biomarkers of physiological function as well as adverse effects in C. carpio.

Pokaznyky kaltsiievo-fosfornoho obminu ta remodeliuvannia kistok yak chynnyky ryzyku vynyknennia porushen mineralnoi shchilnosty kistkovoi tkanyny u khvorykh na revmatoidnyi artryt

Introduction. Osteoporosis (OP) is one of the most common causes of disability decrease in life expectancy among the elderly. The main risk factors for the occurrence of osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include family predisposition, female sex, age, the presence of menopause, chronic inflammatory process and its treatment. The current task remains the assessment of risk factors for the occurrence of OP in patients with RA, and there is also the need to assess risk factors for the occurrence of OP in patients with RA based on the results of laboratory parameters of calcium-phosphorus metabolism and markers of bone remodeling, which will improve the diagnosis of bone mineral density (BMD) disorders. The aim of the study. To determine the indices of calcium-phosphorus metabolism and bone remodeling as risk factors for the occurrence of bone mineral density disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and methods. To the study were randomly enrolled 76 patients with RA (64 women (84.21%) in the premenopausal period and 12 men (15.78%) 38-60 years old (the average age at the time of examination of women – 48.67 ± 2.34 years, men – 45.42 ± 2.78). All patients were receiving methylprednisolone at a dose of 4.0 mg/day and a short course during an exacerbation up to 24.0 mg/day for RA treatment, but received no drugs for the treatment of BMD disorders. All patients underwent an assessment of BMD using ultrasound bone densitometry of the calcaneus, indicators of calcium-phosphorus metabolism and markers of bone remodeling were determined. Based on the obtained results, patients were stratified into three groups as follows: (1) 18 patients – 15 women and 3 men, aged 38-52, with RA without BMD disorders; (2) 34 patients – 31 women and 3 men, aged 38-54, with RA and osteopenia; (3) 24 patients – 18 women and 6 men, aged 41-53, with RA and OP. The control group consisted of 22 practically healthy individuals. Results. Patients with RA without BMD disorders significantly more often observed a decrease in the content of total calcium (p is less than 0.015) and ionized calcium (p is less than 0.000) in the blood serum, as well as a decrease in the individual osteocalcin (OK) index (р is less than 0.000). These patients were also endangered with reduced OC and/or total Ca in blood serum (p is less than 0.005). It was also revealed that in RA patients a decrease in urinary phosphorus indicates higher risk of osteopenia compared to RA patients with normal reference values of the same index (p is less than 0.000). Moreover, in patients with RA increased ionized calcium and decreased phosphorus indeces in urine correlated with significantly higher risk of osteoporosis compared to RA patients with these indeces normal levels (p is less than 0.050). According to the obtained data, an increase in the β-CrossLaps index in patients with RA is a risk factor for the occurrence both osteopenia and OP (p is less than 0.050). It was also founded that the reduced OC and increased ionized calcium levels can be treated as a risk factor for the occurrence of OP in patients with RA (p is less than 0.023). Conclusions. The risk of osteopenia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis without a violation of the mineral density of bone tissue is significantly higher in case of decreased content of blood serum total calcium or ionized calcium levels, or reduced osteocalcin index, or a simultaneous decreased content of total calcium and osteocalcin levels in blood serum. The risk of osteopenia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is significantly higher if there is detected decreased phosphorus content in urine, or an increasede content of C-terminal telopeptide in blood serum, specific for the degradation of type I collagene. The risk of osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is significantly higher if there is a statistically significant increased level of ionized calcium in blood serum, or decreased content of phosphorus in the urine, or increased serum level of C-terminal telopeptidee, or an increased level of ionized calcium in the blood serum accompanied by a reduced level of osteocalcin. Keywords: calcium-phosphorus metabolism, bone remodeling markers, osteoporosis, osteocalcin, rheumatoid arthritis, bone mineral density.

EVALUATION OF THE BONE MINERAL DENSITY OF ASIAN ELEPHANTS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS) VIA DUAL-ENERGY X-RAY IMAGING OF TAILS.

Musculoskeletal problems are one of the top five causes of disease in elephants. However, recent blood chemistry analysis is the only routine protocol for bone mineral status evaluation, with no assessment method currently available for the direct measurement of elephant bone mineral density (BMD). This work applied the the dual-energy X-ray technique (DXA) technique for bone density assessment. The elephant's tail was chosen for the analysis to avoid the radiation harm. Twelve live Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) comprising eight males and four females with ages in the range of 4-77 yr were investigated. The BMD was calculated based on radiographic images acquired using the DXA technique carried out at 40 kVp 2 mAs and 50 kVp 2 mAs. Blood serum analysis of total calcium (Ca), phosphorus (Phos) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) content was conducted in parallel with the physical examination to correlate age and BMD. Analyses produced an overall mean BMD value in the range of 0.54-1.39 g/cm2, with that of the males higher than that of the females. The BMD was found to be negatively correlated with age, Ca, and Phos, but not with ALP. In summary, the BMD analysis of an elephant's tail might be used with blood serum Ca and Phos to predict the overall bone mineral status of the animal.

The effect of MgSO4 addition and the increasing doses of calcium and phosphorus during ending drying period on the occurrence of hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia in dairy cows

The aim of the presented study was the estimation of optimal Ca and P levels applied before calving together with anionic salt addition, as an element of hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia prevention. The experiment was carried out during the dry period on 48 cows with similar milk yield in the previous lactation. Cows were divided into four groups. In group I (control) the amount of minerals was in accordance to NRC standards. In experimental groups (groups II-IV), two weeks before calving, cows received 140 g/day/head of hydrated magnesium sulphate to achieve dietary cation-anion difference at the level of about 50 mEq/kg DM. In groups II and III cows received calcium carbonate (100 g/day) 10 days a.p. (antepartum) (group II), or 5 days a.p. (group III), while cows in IV group received dicalcium phosphate (100 g/day) for 5 days a.p. Application of MgSO4 x 7H20 significantly affected the urine pH of cows from group III and IV 4-5 d. before calving - 6.45 and 6.81, respectively. The acidification of urine was observed after calving in group IV (7.13). In cows from group II (100 CaCO3 10 days a.p.) urine pH decline was not found (7.97-7.75). In that group the incidences of hypophosphatemia were noted (blood serum inorganic P level 1.41-1.46 mmol/1). Addition of magnesium sulphate prevented hypocalcaemia occurrence -- 4-5 d. before calving the concentration of ionized Ca in blood serum was 1.11, 1.13 and 1.16 mmol/1 (respectively for group II, III and IV). Reproductive functions were significantly improved after the application of CaCO3 and CaHPO4 for 5 days a.p. in comparison with control and group II -- progesterone concentration in the blood serum on the 45th day of lactation was 1.396 - 1.409 versus 0.799 - 0.401. The correlation between progesterone and inorganic P level in serum was almost significant. Based on the obtained results a treatment optimal in prevention of hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia is the application of 50 g CaCO3 and 50 g of CaHPO4 for the last 5 days of the dry period together with MgSO4 x 7H20 given for 14 days a.p.

Effect of calcium supplementation on milk production and hypocalcaemia

A dairy farmlet trial carried out in Central Taranaki in 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 examined the effects of calcium (Ca) supplementation (110-180 g/cow of fine limeflour drenched daily between calving in August and mid-mating in December) on serum Ca, incidence of milk fever and milksolids (MS) production at stocking rates of 2.5, 3.2, 3.7 and 4.2 Jersey cows/ha. Pasture Ca contents in spring were around 0.4% in both years and in the marginal to adequate range for dairy cow requirements. However, average blood serum Ca concentrations of 2.4 mmol/l were moderate and only 5% of non-Ca-treated cows occasionally had serum Ca less than 2 mmol/l, within the range for sub-clinical hypocalcaemia. Incidence of clinical milk fever was negligible (0-1%) in milking cows, with no treatment differences. There was no significant effect of Ca supplementation on MS production, although there was a consistent trend (all farmlets in both years) for a small response (3-4%) at the first herd testing. Keywords: calcium supplementation, dairy cow reproduction, dairy cows, hypocalcaemia, milksolids production

The requirements of calcium by Awassi ewes at early lactation

The proper development and growth of the fetus and newborn lambs requires an adequate transport of nutrients across the placenta during late gestation and the mammary gland during early lactation. The effect of calcium (Ca) supplementation as calcium carbonate (CC) and injection of Vitamin AD 3E (75 000 IU) on Awassi ewe productivity at early lactation and the growth of newborn lamb was studied. Forty Awassi ewes, 3.5±1 years old, weighing 61±6.4 kg BW at parturition were selected and assigned randomly to four treatment groups based on ration supplementation and vitamin injection: group 1 received 1.4% CC in the ration; group 2 received 2.4% CC in the ration; group 3 received 1.4% CC in the ration plus two intramuscular doses of Vitamin AD 3E; group 4 received 2.4% CC in the ration plus two intramuscular doses of Vitamin AD 3E. Vitamin injections in groups 3 and 4 were given 15 and 30 days postpartum. The experiment started in January and ended in March. Blood and milk samples were collected from dams and lambs every 20 days and the animals were weighed every 15 days. Milk and blood samples were prepared and analyzed for Ca concentrations by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Ca concentrations in blood serum of ewes and newborn lambs for group 4, at 60 days postpartum were higher (8.9 and 9.6 mg/dl; P<0.10) compared to other groups. A significant ( P<0.05) increase in lambs average body weight gain (g per day) was detected during the last 15 days before weaning in groups 2 and 4 (268.3 and 269.7 g per day, respectively) compared to groups 1 and 3 (230.1 and 21 6.4 g per day, respectively). Moreover, a significant ( P<0.05) increase in milk ash percentage was observed 60 days postpartum in groups 2 and 4 (1.23 and 1.1%, respectively) compared to groups 1 and 3 (1.02 and 0.96%, respectively). No significant differences were detected on milk yield and body weight between the four ewe groups as a result of treatments. Results indicated that feeding 2.4% CC with or without Vitamin AD 3E to Awassi ewes at parturition improved their blood serum Ca and the average body weight gain of their lambs.

A NOVEL SOURCE FOR SPECTROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS

The paper introduces a novel excitation source, based on an AC arc. The arc forms across a 1 cm gap between two platinum electrodes; the applied open circuit voltage is 13 kV and the closed circuit current is 30 mA. Two distinct regions are observed: the current channel, luminous and thin, and a plane-like triangular envelope, 1 cm high, approximately, above it. Source temperature was estimated using Fe spectral lines and found to be ∼3500K. A peristaltic pump is operated to provide sample flow rate of 0.4 mL min−1. The sample is fed to an ultrasonic nebulizer (20 KHz) for conveying the sample into the source without recourse to a carrier gas. The efficiency of the nebulizer is ∼30%; the rest of the solution, together with the gases formed in the arc (NO, NO2), are removed through a NaOH trap by means of a simple circulating pump. Signals for 19 elements were obtained and the extensive analytical applicability of the method demonstrated by appropriate calibration curves. Sensitivity varies from element to element, and suffices for the determination of Li, K, and Ca in blood serum. The main advantages of this novel emission source are its low acquisition and operation costs and its operation in air (with no additional gas required). The system is non-polluting and can be adapted to clinical laboratories.

Effectiveness of calcium chloride in increasing blood calcium concentrations of periparturient dairy cows.

Calcium chloride supplements such as gels and drench were studied to determine their effectiveness for increasing blood serum Ca concentrations in periparturient dairy cows. Multiparous, pregnant Holstein dairy cows (n = 36) were assigned to one of four treatments. After calving, cows in four treatments received basal diet and two doses of either control inert gel (CON), gel containing CaCl2 and vitamins (CVG), gel containing CaCl2 and minerals (CMG), or CaCl2 as drench containing vitamins (CVD). The first dose was given within 2 h after calving and the second dose 12 h after the first dose. Each dose provided .07, 54.5, 56.0, and 33.2 g of elemental Ca in CON, CVG, CMG, and CVD treatments, respectively. Blood samples were collected at 0, 15, 30, 60, 180, and 360 min after each oral dose. The blood serum Ca concentrations were 6.26, 7.56, 6.20, and 5.96 mg/dL during the pretreatment period and deviated -13.5, 7.1, 9.3, and 18.1% from pretreatment levels at 18 h after the first dose in CON, CVG, CMG, and CVD treatments, respectively. The average changes in serum P from pretreatment levels were not different among treatments. Serum Mg concentrations remained below the pretreatment levels in all four treatments. Blood serum beta-hydroxybutyrate during the first 2 wk and milk yields during the first 4 wk of lactation were the same in all treatments. Three cases of clinical milk fever were observed in CON treatment and one case in CVD treatment. The oral supplements of CaCl2 as gel or drench increased the blood Ca levels in periparturient dairy cows. Increased supply of Ca through oral supplements of CaCl2 may prevent milk fever in cows that are marginally hypocalcemic.

Effects of dietary inclusion of crushed whole soybeans on blood serum parameters in goats

Sixteen 20-month-old male castrated, indigenous goats, of the Small East African type, were used to evaluate effects of dietary inclusion of soybeans on certain blood serum parameters. Goats were divided by weight into four homogeneous groups of four animals each at the beginning of the trial, dosed against internal parasites and confined to single metabolism cages in a stall where mean temperatures were 23.4 ± 5°C throughout the trial period. Each group was allocated to one of four diets, based on hay and maize, containing different levels of crushed whole soybeans (ration 1, 0%; ration 2, 11%; ration 3, 22%; ration 4, 33% soybeans). Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 of the trial. Crude fat and CP contents of the rations increased with increasing proportions of soybeans, as expected. Blood serum urea levels of group 1 (control) steadily decreased from day 1 to 28, whereas urea levels of groups 2, 3 and 4 significantly increased from the beginning to the end of the experiment. Serum cholesterol levels declined, but not significantly from day 1 to 28 in all four groups. At day 28, the lowest blood serum cholesterol level was in group 1. Blood serum Ca, P and Mg were not significantly affected by any of the treatments.

Calcification of the aortic wall in hypercalcemic rabbits.

The mineralization process was investigated in the aortic wall of hypercalcemic rabbits. The elevated calcium level in serum was induced by intramuscular injection of vitamin D3. The animals were killed at different times of the experiment (max. 246 d). The freeze-dried tissue homogenates were used for elemental composition studies by means of proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The structural information was obtained from infrared (IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra. Moreover, the ascending part of the aortic arch was separated and used for micro-PIXE (PIXE in combination with proton microprobe) and histochemical examinations. It was found that hypercalcemia (blood serum Ca content elevated by about 20%) induced calcification of the aortic wall. The mineral phase within the aortic wall consisted of Ca-P salts. The Ca/P ratio continuously increased during the experiment and approached 2 after 246 d of the vitamin D3 treatment. The IR and XRD studies made possible the identification of the complex phase composition of the samples. The hydroxyapatite crystals were detected after 196 days, however, in earlier phases of the experiment, amorphous calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate and octacalcium phosphate were also observed. On the basis of the data obtained, the mechanism of the precipitation and growth of inorganic deposits in the tunica media of the aortic wall was discussed.

Changes in Mg and Ca in blood serum of workers in production

In our work "Investigation of magnesium in blood serum and the health status of workers in the magnesia shop" we presented some comparative data on the determination of Mg and Ca in blood serum in representatives of other professions.