Whole Blood Copper Research Articles

Copper Poisoning with Emphasis on Its Clinical Manifestations and Treatment of Intoxication

Background. Copper is an essential trace element found in the human body in an oxidized (Cu II) and reduced (Cu I) form. It plays a crucial role in the integrity and function of proteins and enzymes. Short-term and long-term exposure to copper can result in harmful effects and lead to clinical manifestations in multiple bodily systems, including the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, eyes, respiratory, cardiovascular, central nervous, endocrine, and hematopoietic systems. Objective. The purpose of this study is the importance of early recognition and diagnosis of copper poisoning immediate and necessary measures and the use of chelators. Materials and Methods. In this review article, authors from Pub Med, Scopus, and a toxicologic emergencies reference book from 1996 to 2024 are used. Result. An excessive increase in copper level produces reactive oxygen species that can cause lipid peroxidation in cell membranes, direct oxidation of proteins, and the breakdown of DNA and RNA molecules. All of these can generally be reasons for cell death. Conclusion. Assessing levels of copper in whole blood, free serum copper, 24-hr urine copper, liver biopsy for copper concentration, and ceruloplasmin play a crucial role in the diagnosis. The blood copper concentration is directly related to the severity of poisoning. Treatment for copper poisoning typically involves removing the source of exposure and administering medications to help remove the excess copper from the body. Supportive care for copper intoxication usually includes managing vomiting, correcting fluids and electrolytes, and stabilizing vital signs. Chelators like D-penicillamine, succimer, trientine, tetrathiomolybdate, and PBT-2 have been utilized in treatment.

Multi-element Exposure and Cognitive Function in Rural Elderly Chinese.

To investigate the relationship between selenium (Se) based multi-element combined exposure and cognitive function in rural elderly individuals, a cross-sectional study was conducted. The study involved 416 older adults aged 60 and above, residing in four different areas of Enshi county, China, with varying soil Se levels. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was employed to measure the concentrations of Se, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb) in whole blood. Nine standard cognitive tests were applied to assess cognitive function. Analysis of the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO), covariance (ANCOVA), and generalized linear model (GLM) were utilized to investigate the relationship between element exposure and cognitive function. The results of LASSO revealed that Se, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ca, and Pb were independently identified to be associated with cognition. Both ANCOVA and GLM demonstrated that Se and Ca were correlated with cognitive function. The multi-element model showed higher composite Z scores of 0.32 (95% CI: 0.09 to 0.55) for log-transformed Se (P = 0.007), 0.75 (95% CI: 0.01 to 1.49) for log-transformed Cu (P = 0.048), and a lower score of - 0.67 (95% CI: - 1.26 to - 0.08) for log-transformed Ca (P = 0.025). Furthermore, there was evidence that Se could counteract the negative impact of Ca on cognitive function (P for interaction = 0.031). Our findings suggested that higher levels of Se and Cu were associated with better cognitive function in the elderly and Se can counteract the cognitive damage caused by Ca.

The Long-Term Effect of Maternal Iron Levels in the Second Trimester on Mild Thinness among Preschoolers: The Modifying Effect of Small for Gestational Age.

The supplementation of multiple micronutrients throughout pregnancy can reduce the risk of adverse birth outcomes and various diseases in children. However, the long-term effect of maternal multiple micronutrient levels in the second trimester on the overall development of preschoolers remains unknown. Therefore, 1017 singleton mother-infant pairs and 6-year-old preschoolers were recruited based on the China-Wuxi Birth Cohort Study. Meanwhile, information on the demographic characteristics of pregnant women and preschoolers, maternal copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc levels in whole blood during the second trimester, and neonatal outcomes, were collected. We aimed to investigate the long-term impact of maternal copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc levels in the second trimester on mild thinness among 6-year-old preschoolers, and the modifying effect of small for gestational age (SGA), within the Chinese population. Multiple logistic regression models revealed that high-level maternal iron in the second trimester reduced the risk of mild thinness [adjusted OR: 0.46 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.80)] among 6-year-old preschoolers. However, no significant association was found for the remaining four maternal essential metal elements. Additionally, the restricted cubic spline function showed that the risk of mild thinness decreased when maternal iron concentration exceeded 7.47 mmol/L in whole blood during the second trimester. Furthermore, subgroup analysis indicated that the long-term protective effect of high-level maternal iron on mild thinness was only observed in SGA infants. Summarily, high-level maternal iron in the second trimester distinctly lowers the risk of mild thinness among 6-year-old preschoolers, especially in preschoolers with birth outcomes of SGA. Our findings offer evidence for the implementation of iron supplementation in the second trimester as a preventive measure against mild thinness in children.

Association of whole blood metals/metalloids with severity in sepsis patients: A prospective, single-center, pilot study

BackgroundTrace metals/metalloids were important for the biological functions of both the eukaryotic host and the microorganism. Their concentrations and variations may associate with the critical illness in sepsis, which still needs to be investigated. MethodsWe performed a prospective cohort study on the patients with sepsis admitted to Tongji hospital (Wuhan, China) from Jul 01 to Dec 31, 2021. Sepsis was diagnosed in accordance with the third international consensus definitions for sepsis and septic shock (Sepsis-3). The concentrations of metals/metalloids including magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), thallium (Tl) and lead (Pb) in whole blood were analyzed by ICP-MS based methods. ResultsCompared to the healthy controls, patients with sepsis showed higher levels of Ca, Cr and Cu, and lower levels of Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, As, Hg and Pb. Further analysis between the critical illness and noncritical illness, revealed the Mn, Fe were significantly lower in the critically-ill sepsis. The longitudinal profile of the two metals show the differences appeared to exist almost throughout the clinical course. By performing the binary regression logistic analysis, we determined the Fe, Mn as independently risk factors for critical illness in sepsis, with effect sizes (β) of 17.14 (95%CI: 1.79–163.81) and 10.83 (1.96–59.83), respectively, which collectively discriminated 83.3% of all cases between critical-illness and non-critically illness. ConclusionsThe variations of whole blood metals/metalloids were associated with the critically-ill sepsis.

Blood copper excess is associated with mild cognitive impairment in elderly Chinese.

Copper is associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, there is a lack of relevant population studies with large sample sizes. This study used baseline data from a cohort study to determine the distribution characteristics of MCI in the elderly and to estimate the association between whole blood copper concentrations and MCI. MCI status was screened by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale. The concentration of copper in whole blood was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). A total of 1057 subjects with an average age of 71.82 ± 6.45years were included in this study. There were 215 patients with MCI, and the prevalence of MCI was 20.34%. After adjusting for general demographic variables, logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of MCI in the elderly with high copper level was 1.354 times higher than that in the elderly with low copper level (OR 1.354, 95% CI 1.047-1.983, P = 0.034). In this study, it was found that the prevalence of MCI was different in gender, age, education level and other aspects, and a higher copper level in the elderly was significantly related to the occurrence of MCI. The association was stronger in older adults and men.

Microfluidic-based liquid-liquid microextraction in combination with smartphone-based on-chip detection for the determination of copper in biological, environmental, and food samples

In the present work, a simple and green microfluidic-based liquid-liquid microextraction in combination with smartphone-based on-chip detection was introduced for the determination of copper in environmental, biological, and food samples. The procedure was based on an ion-pair formation between tetrabutylammonium and tetrathiocyanatocuprate(II) anion, which was extracted with a suitable extractant and subsequent color sensing using a smartphone. All the steps were performed in a microchip. The smartphone was used as both a detector and a data processing unit. Different experimental parameters affecting analytical signal were studied and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the method showed a linear dynamic range between 0.3 and 40 mg L−1 with a determination coefficient of 0.9953. The limits of detection and quantification were obtained 0.1 and 0.3 mg L−1, respectively. The method provided a precise determination with relative standard deviations in the range of 4.1–5.3%. Finally, the method was successfully applied for the determination of copper in whole blood, mushroom, wastewater, and tap water samples with spiking recoveries in the ranges of 80–98%, 96–108%, 95–107%, and 100–103%, respectively. In comparison with the atomic absorption technique, no significant difference was observed between the two methods in terms of accuracy.

Effects of green tea polyphenols on trace metals level of rats on food restriction and high-fat diet

Little evidence showed the interplay between tea and diet in the regulation of trace metal. Here, we examined the effects of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) on the level of trace elements (TEs) in rats on food restriction or high-fat diet. Thirty-six rats (Wistar, male) were randomly divided into 6 groups and fed on standard diet, food restriction and high-fat diet with or without GTPs (200 mg/kg bw/day) supplementation, respectively. Levels of vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo) and cobalt (Co) in feed, whole blood, femur and urine were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C, HDL-C) in serum were determined. Decreased daily intakes of TEs were observed in rats on food restriction and high-fat diet. Decreased whole blood level of Zn, femur level of Co and increase urinary excretion of Se were observed in rats fed on high-fat diet. GTPs altered the whole blood level of several TEs in rats on food restriction (V, Zn, Co) or high-fat diet (V, Se), respectively, but not in rats fed on standard diet. The level of several TEs in femur and the daily urinary excretion of V and Mo were altered by GTPs in rats on all of the three diets. In addition, rats fed on high-fat diet developed dyslipidemia, which was ameliorated by GTPs. The data indicated that diet status played a role in the effects of GTPs on TEs and lipid metabolism, and trace elements may play a role in the modulation of lipid metabolic disturbances by high-fat diet and GTPs.

Zinc and Copper in antioxidant defense system in patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis

Among men of working age chronic prostatitis is the most frequent urological sickness, and characteristic symptoms of it are frequent reason of the urological recourse. Therefore this excuses a search for new methods of examination and treatment of the patients with this pathology.The objective: purpose of our research was studying of level of Zinc and Copper in blood and ejaculate and specialty of antioxidic defense of the patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.Materials and methods. Under supervision were 120 patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, among them 60 patients with inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome(category IIIA) and 60 patients with noninflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome (category IIIB). Microelements Zinc and Copper in whole blood an ejaculate were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry on C-115 PC. State of antioxidant defense was judged considering quantification of Catalase after A. Bach and S. Zubkova and Superoxide Dismutase.Results. A certain decrease of Zinc and increase of Copper were observed in both groups of patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. More expressed decrease of Zinc and increase of Copper were observed in patients with inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Also it was noted that with long duration of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis takes place the antioxidant enzymes level decrease. More expressed decrease was observed in patients with inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome. As a result of correlation analysis it was found that there is certain dependence between level of Zinc, Copper in blood and antioxidant defense enzymes.Conclusion. With chronic nonbacterial prostatitis were observed decrease of Zinc and increase of Copper levels in blood as well as in ejaculate of the patients. More intense decrease of Zinc and increase of Copper were noted in patients with inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Metabolic changes with shortage of Zinc and excess of Copper correlate with antioxidant system disbalance, that is with antioxidant defense level decrease.

Study of microelements’ level and antioxidant defense by patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis

Among men of working age chronic prostatitis is the most frequent urological sickness, and characteristic symptoms of it are frequent reason of the urological recourse. Therefore this excuses a search for new methods of examination and treatment of the patients with this pathology. The objective: of our research was studying of level of essential microelements (Zn, Cu, Mg) in blood and ejaculate and specialty of antioxidic defense of the patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis and reasoning of polymicroelemental medication use. Patients and methods. Under supervision were 84 patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, among them 42 patients with inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome(category IIIA) and 42 patients with noninflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome (IIIB). Microelements Zinc, Copper and Magnesium in whole blood an ejaculate were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry on C-115 PC. State of antioxidic defense was judged considering quantification of Catalase after A. Bach and S.Zubkova and Superoxide Dismutase. Results. A certain decrease of microelements Zn, Cu, Mg was observed in both groups of patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. More expressed decrease was observed in patients with inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Also it was noted that with long duration of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis takes place the antioxidic enzymes level decrease. I.e. it was marked a clear connection between Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase decrease in patients’ blood with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis and duration of disease. More expressed decrease was observed in patients with inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome. As a result of correlation analysis it was found that there is certain dependence between level of Zn, Cu, Mg in blood and antioxidic defense enzymes. Conclusion. With chronic nonbacterial prostatitis was observed decrease of Zn, Cu, Mg level in blood as well as in ejaculate of the patients. A shortage of this microelements certainly increases with a long anamnesis of sickness. More intense decrease of Zn, Cu, Mg is noted in patients with inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Metabolic changes with shortage of Zn, Cu, Mg correlate with antioxidic system disbalance , that is with antioxidic defense level decrease, which must be considered in treating of the patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.

In vitro effects of simultaneous exposure to platinum and cadmium on the activity of antioxidant enzymes and DNA damage and potential protective effects of selenium and zinc

Circulating platinum (Pt) is detectable in the blood of Pt-treated cancer patients for over a decade after the treatment. Prolonged exposure to Pt, in combination with adverse compounds from nutrition and lifestyle, such as cadmium (Cd), could increase the risk from second cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of simultaneous exposure to Cd- and Pt-compounds on oxidative and DNA damage and the possible protective effects of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se). The aqueous solutions of PtCl4, CdCl2 × H2O, ZnCl2 and Na2SeO3 were added, alone or in combination, to whole blood and isolated erythrocytes to produce the final concentrations of 2000 μg/L of Pt, 8 μg/L of Cd, 100 μg/L of Se, and 1000 μg/L of Zn. The activity of copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione in whole blood was determined after 1 h exposure in in vitro conditions. The induction of DNA strand-breaks in human peripheral blood leukocytes was determined with the alkaline comet assay after 24 h exposure. Exposure to Pt and/or Cd decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes and elevated DNA damage compared to control. A statistically significant change in the activity of both enzymes and in the induction of DNA strand-breaks was observed in the cells treated with Pt + Cd combination, while the addition of Se and/or Zn resulted in partial recovery of these effects. The results indicate that combined exposure to Pt and Cd could disrupt antioxidant protection of the organism and increase DNA damage, whereas Se and Zn could partially ameliorate these harmful effects.

Levels of arsenic, mercury, cadmium, copper, lead, zinc and manganese in serum and whole blood of resident adults from mining and non-mining communities in Ghana.

Human beings working or living near an industrial site where toxic chemicals such as As, Hg, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn and or their compounds are used or indiscriminately discharged into the environment, are constantly exposed to such chemicals via ingestion (drinking or eating), dermal contact or inhalation (breathing). However, in developing countries such as Ghana, limited data on levels of the aforementioned chemicals in whole blood and serum of human beings as a result of exposure to the aforementioned chemicals from mining communities and non-mining communities is preventing effective policy formulation to protect human health. Hence, this study was undertaken to measure the levels of the aforementioned toxic chemicals in whole blood and serum of 300 resident adults from mining (Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality Assembly (TNMA) and Prestea Huni Valley District (PHVD)) and non-mining (Cape Coast Metropolis) communities in Ghana, using neutron activation analysis (NAA). Blood samples were taken from 200 resident adults (105 males and 95 females) from mining and 100 resident adults (60 males and 40 males) from non-mining communities in the study area following the completion of an informed consent and the issuance of ethical clearance by the Ghana Health Service Ethical Committee. The mean concentrations for As, Hg, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn in whole blood of residents from mining communities were as follows: 38 ± 320μg/L, 63 ± 0.23μg/L, 303 ± 117μg/L, 3300 ± 953, 195 ± 90μg/L, 28 ± 14μg/L and 1405 ± 458μg/L, respectively; while the levels of measured toxic chemicals in the serum of resident adults from mining communities were as follows: 65 ± 14μg/L, 358 ± 22μg/l, 134 ± 12μg/L, 3590 ± 254μg/L, 401 ± 113μg/L, 58 ± 5.8μg/L and 49 ± 31μg/L, respectively, for As, Hg, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn and were found to have exceeded the permissible WHO guideline values.

Determination of copper in whole blood by differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry

 A selective and sensitive method for determination of copper in blood by adsorptive differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry is presented. The method is based on adsorptive accumulation of the complexes of Cu (II) ions with benzenesulfonyl hydrazide onto hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE), followed by the reduction of the adsorbed species by differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry. The effect of various parameters such as supporting electrolyte, concentration of benzenesulfonyl hydrazide, accumulation potential, accumulation time and stirring rate on the selectivity and sensitivity were studied. The optimum conditions for determination of copper include perchloric acid 0.03 M, concentration of benzenesulfonyl hydrazide 7.5×10-5 M, the accumulation potential of -350 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), the accumulation time of 50 s, and the scan rate of 50 mV s-1. Under optimized conditions, linear calibration curves were established for the concentration of Cu (II) in the range of 0.62-275 ng mL-1, with detection limit of 0.186 ng mL-1 for Cu (II). The procedure was successfully applied to the determination of copper ion in whole blood samples.

Determination of Ultra Trace Levels of Copper in Whole Blood by Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry

A selective and sensitive method for simultaneous determination of copper in blood by adsorptive differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry is presented. The procedure involves an adsorptive accumulation of Cu(II)-ETSC (4- ethyl-3-thiosemicarbazide) on a hanging mercury drop electrode, followed by a stripping voltammetry measurement of reduc- tion current of adsorbed complex at about −715 mV. The optimum conditions for the analysis of copper (II) ion are : pH 10.3, concentration of 4-ethyl-3-thiosemicarbazide 3.25×10 �6 M and an accumulation potential of −100 mV. The peak current is proportional to the concentration of copper over the range 0.003−125 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.001 ng/mL and an accumulation time of 60 s. Moreover, with the use of the proposed method, there is a considerable improvement in the detec- tion limit, the linear dynamic range and the deposition time, compared with the methods of adsorptive stripping voltammetry for the determination of copper. The developed method was validated by analysis of whole blood certified reference materials.

The application of differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry in the determination of trace copper in whole blood

Electrochemical stripping analysis is a very important and widely used tool for the trace determination of various elements and compounds. The method is based on accumulation of Cu (II) ions onto platinum electrode, followed by the reduction of the species by differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry. The effect of various parameters such as pH of supporting electrolyte, accumulation of potential and time, scan rate and speed of rotating electrode on the selectivity and sensitivity were studied. The best conditions were found to be pH = 6.5 potassium acetate buffer, the accumulation potential of 0 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), the accumulation time of 50 s, rotational speed of the working electrode 1500 rpm and the scan rate of 25 mV s-1. The peak current is proportional to the concentration of copper over the range 0.53-107 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.159 ng/mL and an accumulation time of 50 s. The developed method was validated by the analysis of reference materials certified by total blood.

Prediction of Type-2 Diabetes Based on Several Element Levels in Blood and Chemometrics

The present study was designed to evaluate the levels of eight elements including lithium, zinc, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel and vanadium in whole blood of type-2 diabetes patients, to compare them with age-matched healthy controls and to investigate the feasibility of combining them with an ensemble model for diagnosing purpose. A dataset involving 158 samples, among which 105 were taken from healthy adults and the remaining 53 from patients with type-2 diabetes, was collected. All samples were split into the training set and the test set with the equal size. Based on a simple variable selection, two elements, i.e., chromium and iron, are also picked out as the most important elements. Three kinds of algorithms, i.e., fisher linear discriminate analysis (FLDA), support vector machine (SVM) and decision tree (DT), were used for constructing member models. The best ensemble classifiers constructed on the training set were validated on the independent test set, and the prediction results were compared with those from clinical diagnostics on the same subjects. The results reveal that almost all ensemble classifiers exhibit similar performance, implying that these elements coupled with an appropriate ensemble classifier can serve as a valuable tool of diagnosing diabetes type-2.

Metal exposures in an inner-city neonatal population

Objectives We measured concentrations of lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu) in umbilical cord whole blood and examined sources of environmental Pb exposures in a predominantly African-American population. Methods Between April and July 2006, we collected reproductive histories, questionnaires, and blood samples from 102 women, aged 16–45 years, who delivered at a Memphis, TN hospital. Results The prevalence of preeclampsia and low birth weight infancy in the study population was 11% and 10%, respectively. Twenty-eight percent of mothers reported living near a potential Pb-contaminated area, while 43% lived in a residence built before 1978. Geometric mean (GM) concentrations for umbilical cord blood in the study population were 1.3, 3.5, 9.0, and 52.0 µg/dL for Pb, Mn, Cr, and Cu, respectively. Six neonates had cord blood Pb (CBL) concentrations above 10 µg/dL, while 20 had CBL concentrations ≥ 2 µg/dL. GM umbilical CBL levels were higher in neonates born to women living near a potential Pb-contaminated area (2.2 vs. 1.1 µg/dL) and those with friends, family or household members exposed to lead products (1.6 vs. 1.1 μg/dL). Some evidence of an exposure–response relationship was also detected between all four metal concentrations and an increasing number of maternal lead exposures. After adjustment for confounding, proximity to a Pb-contaminated area was the strongest environmental determinant of CBL levels among neonates with CBL concentrations of ≥ 2 µg/dL (odds ratio = 5.1; 95% CI = 1.6, 16.7). Conclusions Metal concentrations were elevated in this population, and CBL levels were associated with proximity to Pb-contaminated areas.

Trace element levels in whole blood of riparian villagers of the Brazilian Amazon

Monitoring the nutritional status of essential elements is of critical importance in human health. However, trace element concentrations in biological fluids are affected by environmental and physiological parameters, and therefore considerable variations can occur between specific population subgroups. Brazil is a large country with much food diversity. Moreover, dietary habits differ from north to south. As an example, the traditional populations of the Brazilian Amazon basin are heavily dependent on fish, fruits, vegetables and manioc for their daily sustenance. However, very few studies have examined to what extent these diets reflect adequate nutritional status for essential elements. Then, in the present study we have evaluated the levels of some trace elements (Cu, Co, Zn Sr, and Rb) in the whole blood of a riparian Brazilian Amazonian population and estimated the influence of age and gender on levels and inter-element interactions in the same population. For this, 253 subjects, aged 15 to 87, from 13 communities situated on the banks of the Tapajós, one of the major tributaries of the Amazon, were randomly selected. The values found for cobalt, copper and strontium in whole blood are in the same range as in other populations. On the other hand, the levels of rubidium and zinc may be considered higher. Moreover, gender was shown to influence Zn and Cu levels while age influenced the concentrations of Sr and Rb in men and Cu in women. Given the scarcity of studies examining nutritional status in traditional communities of the Amazon, our study is the first to provide relevant insight into trace element values in this region and inter-element interactions. This paper is also of particular importance for future studies looking at the possible protective effects of traditional Amazon riparian diets against mercury intake from fish consumption.

Cyclopentanone Thiosemicarbazone, a New Complexing Agent for Copper Determination in Biological Samples by Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry

A selective and sensitive stripping voltammetric method for the determination of trace amounts of copper(II) with cyclopentanone thiosemicarbazone (CPTSC) is presented. The method is based on the adsorptive accumulation of the resulting copper-CPTSC complex on a hanging mercury drop electrode, followed by the stripping voltammetric measurements at the reduction current of the adsorbed complex at -0.37 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The optimal conditions for the stripping analysis of copper include pH 9.3, deposition time of 120 s, and a deposition potential of -0.1 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The peak current is linearly proportional to the copper concentration over a range 3.14 x 10(-9) M to 1.57 x 10(-6) M with a limit of detection of 1.57 x 10(-9) M. The technique has been applied to the determination of copper in biological samples, like urine and whole blood.

Effects of Zinc, Copper, and Selenium on Placental Cadmium Transport

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential effects of zinc, copper, and selenium on placental cadmium transport. From November 2002 through January 2003, a total of 47 healthy pregnant women from Da-Ye City, Hubei Province in Central China participated in the study. Their age, parity, gestational age, pregnancy history, and lifestyle data were obtained by questionnaire interview. The placental, whole-blood, and cord blood levels of cadmium were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), whole-blood zinc was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS), whole-blood copper by ICP-MS, and selenium was by atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry (AFS). The cord blood cadmium concentration (0.020-1.48 microg/L) was significantly lower than in maternal blood (0.80-25.20 microg/L, p<0.01). The placental cadmium concentration was from 0.082 to 3.97 microg/g dry weight. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that lower levels of maternal blood copper were significantly associated with higher cadmium concentrations in cord blood. Placental cadmium in women with lower levels of maternal blood zinc was significantly higher than in those with normal zinc levels. The placental cadmium level in women with lower whole-blood selenium was significantly lower than in subjects with normal selenium levels. It was concluded that the essential elements copper, selenium, and zinc might significantly affect placental cadmium transport.

Copper, zinc, and selenium in whole blood and thyroid tissue of people with various thyroid diseases.

We investigated the possible differences among the concentrations of copper, zinc, and selenium, and their mutual relations in the whole blood and thyroid tissue of patients with various thyroid disorders. Trace elements were determined by total-reflection X-ray fluorescence. The mean levels of these metals in blood as well as the mean Cu/Zn, Cu/Se, and Zn/Se ratios in the patients with thyroid cancer were significantly higher that in other patients and the control groups. However, the mean Zn and Se concentrations in the thyroid cancer tissue were significantly lower than in the thyroid tissue of other patients. In addition, the mean Cu/Zn and Cu/Se ratios in the thyroid cancer tissue were significantly higher than in the patients with other thyroid diseases. We confirm that the highest levels of copper and zinc as well as the Cu/Zn, Cu/Se, and Zn/Se ratios in the whole blood of the patients with thyroid cancer may suggest the progression of the proliferation process in the thyroid gland. We suggest that the low concentrations of zinc and selenium in the thyroid tissue confirm their participation in the carcinogenic process.