Imbalance Of Trace Elements Research Articles

Relationship Between Serum Copper, Zinc Level and Tumour Aggressiveness in Invasive Cervical Cancer

<i>Background: </i>Cervical cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality, exhibits considerable variability in aggressiveness. The role of trace elements such as copper and zinc in influencing tumor behavior and progression has garnered attention. This study investigates the relationship between serum copper and zinc levels and tumor aggressiveness in invasive cervical cancer.<i> Methods:</i> A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 150 women with invasive cervical cancer attending the outpatient department and Colposcopy Clinic of the Department of Gynecological Oncology, BSMMU, Dhaka, from April 2022 to March 2023. Participants were divided into two groups based on tumor aggressiveness: Group 1 (less aggressive) and Group 2 (more aggressive), with 75 women in each group. Serum copper and zinc levels were measured and analyzed for differences between groups. <i>Result:</i> Serum copper levels were significantly higher in Group 2 (152.31 ± 41.81 µg/dL) compared to Group 1 (139.31 ± 25.52 µg/dL) with a p-value of 0.023. Conversely, serum zinc levels were significantly lower in Group 2 (55.24 ± 28.13 µg/dL) compared to Group 1 (66.29 ± 31.58 µg/dL) with a p-value of 0.025. The copper/zinc ratio was significantly higher in Group 2 (2.76 ± 1.20) compared to Group 1 (2.10 ± 1.00) with a p-value of <0.001. <i>Conclusion:</i> Elevated serum copper levels and copper/zinc ratio, along with decreased zinc levels, are associated with more aggressive cervical cancer. These findings suggest that trace element imbalances may serve as biomarkers for assessing tumor aggressiveness and could inform future therapeutic strategies.

Serum levels of iron, zinc, selenium, copper and oxidative stress in hypertensive patients: A comparative study of age-related changes in the governorate of Basrah, Iraq

Hypertension is the force of blood through blood vessels, where the heart works harder and blood vessels are under more pressure. The relationship between trace element levels and oxidative stress in hypertension is under investigation, with conflicting results. This study aimed to determine the relationship between concentrations of certain antioxidant trace elements (iron, zinc, selenium, and copper) and protein carbonyl concentration as an indicator of oxidative stress in the serum of hypertensive patients compared to the control group in Basra, Iraq, according to age. The study included 100 hypertensive patients (44 males and 56 females) compared to 50 healthy individuals (25 males and 25 females). Patients were divided into three age groups: 35–45, 46–56, and over 57 years. The study showed a significant decrease (p<0.001) in the mean concentration of all selected elements in the patients' serum compared to the control group. Conversely, the mean protein carbonyl level showed a significant increase (p<0.001) in patients compared to the control group. Trace element concentrations decreased in patients with increasing age, while carbonyl protein levels increased, especially in the third age group. The study also showed a significant negative correlation between protein carbonyl level and all trace elements at p<0.001. These results suggest that hypertension is associated with an imbalance in oxidative stress and trace elements. Monitoring trace element intake may help reduce oxidative stress and improve overall health in individuals with hypertension, especially with advancing age, by restoring the balance of essential elements and antioxidants in the body.

A Ubiquitin‐Competitive Strategy Based on the Element Microenvironment to Treat Osteoarthritis

AbstractRecent research on ferroptosis and cuproptosis has underscored the crucial role of trace element regulation in osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. However, research systematically addressing the alterations in nutrient elements in OA cartilage is lacking. This study is initiated using clinical specimens to quantify metal element concentrations in both damaged and intact cartilage to identify deficient trace elements within the inflammatory and senescent microenvironments of OA. Based on the preliminary findings of selenium (Se) and gallium (Ga) deficiencies in OA cartilage, tailored nanoparticles based on Se and Ga are designed and validated for their antioxidant ability. GaSex nanoparticles demonstrated significant efficacy in mitigating chondrocyte degeneration and extracellular matrix degradation induced by inflammatory factors and in alleviating cartilage abrasion, hyperalgesia, and abnormal gait in a destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model. Mechanistically, GaSex nanoparticles activated the Nrf2 pathway and competitively inhibited the ubiquitin‐mediated degradation of Gpx4, thus inhibiting ferroptosis. This study systematically designed GaSex nanoparticles based on the imbalance of trace elements within the OA knee joint microenvironment and demonstrated robust antioxidant capabilities and remarkable competitive properties for ubiquitin, thereby providing a novel therapeutic solution for OA treatment.

Iodine deficiency as an environmental risk factor for thyroid gland diseases in animals

Among non-infectious diseases in humans and animals, iodine deficiency pathology is a significant problem worldwide due to its high prevalence and broad spectrum of clinical signs and consequences. Increasing anthropogenic pressure on the natural environment has led to an ecological crisis. The situation is complicated in the biogeochemical zones of Ukraine, where insufficient or excessive content of mobile forms of microelements in soils and water sources determines the biological reaction of local flora and fauna. In animals, this is manifested by endemic diseases, including hypothyroidism. Mineral elements, including iodine, are a structural material in the body of animals; they participate in the processes of digestion and absorption in the digestive tract, synthesis, splitting, and excretion of metabolic products, creating the necessary conditions for the normal functioning of enzymes, hormones, vitamins, stabilize acidic-alkaline balance and osmotic pressure. Of all the organs of the endocrine system, the thyroid gland is the most closely related to the environment since its structure and function largely depend on the supply of iodine from the outside. The authors describe in detail the role of synergists of iodine (selenium, iron, copper, zinc, cobalt) and antagonists, the imbalance of trace elements, the influence of ionizing radiation, and the nature of feeding. It is substantiated that the action of environmental elements and anthropogenic factors determines the appearance and risk of developing thyroid pathology in cows. The article presents materials from a complex study of the clinical course of iodine deficiency, as well as morphological and biochemical parameters of the blood of cows. The object of research is clinically healthy and sick animals – cattle. Diagnosis of thyroid pathology was carried out with the help of clinical and laboratory tests. The clinical examination of cows was carried out according to the generally accepted scheme, taking into account the results of the general condition and studies of individual organs and systems. The research was conducted in three districts of the Zhytomyr region (Korostenskyi, Narodytskyi, and Popilnianskyi). During the external examination of the animals, swelling in the intermaxillary space (Myxedema) was observed, which was found only in 5 out of 90 dairy cows (5.6 %), mainly from Narodytsky district (8.9 %), compared to 2.2 % in Korosten district. It was observed that goiter was established in only three cows out of 90 (3.35%); all were in Narodytsky district (6.7 %). Enophthalmos was detected in 24 out of 90 dairy cows (26.7 %), including 16 out of 45 cows (35.4 %) in the Narodytsky District, while this symptom was not detected in the Popilnya District dairy cows. It was established that the content of thyroxine in dairy cows of Narodytskyi and Korostensky districts ranged from 2.2 to 4.25 μg/100 ml (28.3–54.7 nmol/l), respectively, and was on average 3.4 ± 0.21 μg/100 ml (43.8 ± 2.70 nmol/l, in cows from the conditionally clean territory (Popelnyan district) – 5.3 ± 0.65 nmol/l.

Clinical Signs and Laboratory Tests for the Differential Diagnosis ofAndrogenic and Post-COVID-19 Alopecia in Women

Background: Pathological hair loss in women has emerged as a prevalent cause for seeking specialized dermatological and cosmetic services. The most common type of this condition is androgenetic alopecia, which arises due to hormonal and micronutrient imbalances.Furthermore, during the COVID-19 epidemic, there has been a notable increase in the number of female patients with pathological hair loss as a complication of the disease, with some individualsexperiencing alopecia the sole indication of asymptomatic COVID-19. Aims: The aim of the study wassearch for objective criteria for the differential diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia and post-COVID alopecia in women based on informative trichological and laboratory markers. Materials and methods: The including criteria for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) group were elevated dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, clinical indications of alopecia corresponding to initial stages of the condition, and a past experience of continuous observation untilFebruary 2020. For the post-COVID alopecia (COVID) group, inclusion criteria were a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 using RT-PCR and the presence of alopecia symptoms emerging within a year post-infection. Evaluation of quantitative characteristics of hairs was conducted was carried out based on trichogram and phototrichogram data, followed by image processing using a computer diagnostic program. Key indicators for hair growth were identified in patients' plasma, including DHT, vitamins B9 (folic acid), B12, D (25(OH)-D3 form), E, as well as calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). CART algorithm (Classification and Regression Trees) based on recursive partitioning of available data with selection of informative predictors and formation of a tree-like hierarchical structurewas applied to determine criteria to differentiate between patients with androgenetic and post-COVID alopecia. Results: Analysis of trichograms and phototrichograms revealed that unlike androgenetic alopecia, which primarily impacts hair follicles in the telogen and anagen phases in the androgen-dependent zone, post-COVID hair loss presents as a diffuse telogen effluvium pattern, involving the androgen-dependent (parietal) area of the scalp. Notably, patients with post-COVID alopecia exhibited elevated dihydrotestosterone levels compared to reference values, with no significant differencein comparison to AGA. While there were no variations in vitamin and certain trace element levels (Fe, Ca, Mg, Zn), individuals in COVID group have demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in copper content (46.4% lower than AGA; p=0.006) alongside an increase in selenium levels (24.7% higher than AGA; p=0.003). Conclusions: The performed study for the first time presents objective criteria for the differential diagnosis of androgenetic and post-COVID alopecia in women. The data obtained show a diffuse pattern of telogen effluvium after recovering from COVID-19, linked to an imbalance in trace elements - specifically, a decrease in copper (Cu) and an increase in selenium (Se). Based on this fact, the algorithm CART used allows for a highly effective differentiation of the compared variants of pathological hair loss in studied patients and forms the basis for pathogenetically justified conservative therapy.

Evaluation of Heavy Metal and Specific Trace Elements Levels Among Fast-Food Workers and Their Susceptibility to Atherosclerosis.

Fast-food workers in Iraq face significant health risks due to exposure to heavy metals from fumes and dust during cooking activities. Heavy metals, such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni), are toxic to cells even at low concentrations and can cause health risks, including atherosclerosis, due to oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study assess the levels of heavy metals in fast-food workers and investigate their potential link to atherosclerosis development by monitoring the levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). A total of 120 male participants aged between 20 and 40 years were included in the study, with 40 fast-food workers, 40 patients with atherosclerosis, and 40 healthy individuals evaluated. The levels of Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn, and Fe in all blood samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Results showed that the fast-food worker group had significantly higher levels of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Fe compared to the healthy control group, with increases of 57%, 75%, 30%, and 55%, respectively. Conversely, their levels of Zn and Mg were significantly lower, decreasing by 15% and 16%, respectively. On the other hand, the atherosclerosis patients' group had significantly higher levels of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Fe, with increases of 47%, 74%, 34%, and 28%, respectively, as well as significantly lower levels of Zn and Mg, decreasing by 17% and 21%, respectively, compared to the control group. These findings suggest that fast-food workers are at risk of developing atherosclerosis due to exposure to high levels of heavy metals and imbalances in essential trace elements. The results showed a significant increase in the levels of Pb and Cd in the sera of these workers, which was expected because of the long duration and high intensity of exposure to toxic heavy metals. This is a serious indicator that must be considered, as it has been previously established that increased levels of Pb and Cd in the body are linked to the risk of atherosclerosis. Additionally, an association between Pb and Cd levels and an imbalance in trace element levels (Cu, Zn, Mg, and Fe) were observed. The Implementation of stricter regulations and guidelines for maintaining cleanliness and safety in fast-food restaurants may be crucial for protecting workers and preventing long-term health complications.

MOF-Based Platform for Kidney Diseases: Advances, Challenges, and Prospects.

Kidney diseases are important diseases that affect human health worldwide. According to the 2020 World Health Organization (WHO) report, kidney diseases have become the top 10 causes of death. Strengthening the prevention, primary diagnosis, and action of kidney-related diseases is of great significance in maintaining human health and improving the quality of life. It is increasingly challenging to address clinical needs with the present technologies for diagnosing and treating renal illness. Fortunately, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have shown great promise in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. This review summarizes the research progress of MOFs in the diagnosis and treatment of renal disease in recent years. Firstly, we introduce the basic structure and properties of MOFs. Secondly, we focus on the utilization of MOFs in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. In the diagnosis of kidney disease, MOFs are usually designed as biosensors to detect biomarkers related to kidney disease. In the treatment of kidney disease, MOFs can not only be used as an effective adsorbent for uremic toxins during hemodialysis but also as a precise treatment of intelligent drug delivery carriers. They can also be combined with nano-chelation technology to solve the problem of the imbalance of trace elements in kidney disease. Finally, we describe the current challenges and prospects of MOFs in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases.

Risk of Trace Element Imbalance in Cases of Occupational Allergic Diseases

Introduction: The relevance of the study is attributed to the lack of knowledge of the mechanisms of development and specifics of the clinical picture of occupational allergic diseases. Objective: To establish the levels of essential trace elements in biological substrates of patients with occupational allergies. Materials and methods: In 2014–2018, we analyzed zinc and copper levels in urine, blood serum, and lymphocytes of patients with occupational allergic skin and respiratory diseases by the atomic absorption method. Relative risk was calculated using a four-field contingency table. Results: In patients with work-related allergic contact dermatitis and bronchial asthma, zinc and copper concentrations in blood serum increased while urinary excretion of these elements decreased. Quantitative patterns of the concentrations of trace elements in body fluids of the patients with skin and respiratory allergies were unidirectional compared to the reference group. Relative risk values showed that lower levels of copper in urine and zinc in blood serum and lymphocytes, as well as higher serum copper indicated the risk of trace element imbalance in the body. Conclusion: The risk of trace element imbalance due to occupational allergic diseases is associated with impaired copper and zinc balance. Our findings prove that the levels of microelements are additional factors that aggravate the course of occupational allergic disorders.

Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane as a mediator of vanadium-induced endoplasmic reticulum quality control in duck brains.

Vanadium (V) plays a crucial role in normal cells, but excess V causes multi-organ toxicity, including neurotoxicity. Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane (MAM) is a dynamic structure between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria that mediates ER quality control (ERQC). To explore the effects of excess V on MAM and ERQC in the brain, 72 ducks were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (basal diet) and the V group (30mgV/kg basal diet). On days 22 and 44, brain tissues were collected for histomorphological observation and determination of trace element contents. In addition, the mRNA and protein levels of MAM and ERQC-related factors in the brain were analyzed. Results show that excessive V causes the imbalance of trace elements, the integrity disruption of MAM, rupture of ER and autophagosomes formation. Moreover, it inhibits IP3R and VDAC1 co-localization, down-regulates the expression levels of MAM-related factors, but up-regulates the expression levels of ERQC and autophagy related factors. Together, results indicate that V exposure causes disruption of MAM and activates ERQC, which is further causing autophagy.

Microbial colony sequencing combined with metabolomics revealed the effects of chronic hexavalent chromium and nickel combined exposure on intestinal inflammation in mice

The pollution and toxic effects of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] and divalent nickel [Ni(II)] have become worldwide public health issues. However, the potential detailed effects of chronic combined Cr(VI) and Ni exposure on colonic inflammation in mice have not been reported. In this study, 16S rDNA sequencing, metabolomics data analysis, qPCR and other related experimental techniques were used to comprehensively explore the mechanism of toxic damage and the inflammatory response of the colon in mice under the co-toxicity of chronic hexavalent chromium and nickel. The results showed that long-term exposure to Cr(VI) and/or Ni resulted in an imbalance of trace elements in the colon of mice with significant inflammatory infiltration of tissues. Moreover, Cr(VI) and/or Ni poisoning upregulated the expression levels of IL-6, IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, JAK2 and STAT3 mRNA, and downregulated IL-10 mRNA, which was highly consistent with the trend in protein expression. Combined with multiomics analysis, Cr(VI) and/or Ni could change the α diversity and β diversity of the gut microbiota and induce significant differential changes in metabolites such as Pyroglu-Glu-Lys, Val-Asp-Arg, stearidonic acid, and 20-hydroxyarachidonic acid. They are also associated with disorders of important metabolic pathways such as lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. Correlation analysis revealed that there was a significant correlation between gut microbes and metabolites (P < 0.05). In summary, based on the advantages of comprehensive analysis of high-throughput sequencing sets, these results suggest that chronic exposure to Cr(VI) and Ni in combination can cause microbial flora imbalances, induce metabolic disorders, and subsequently cause colonic damage in mice. These data provide new insights into the toxicology and molecular mechanisms of Cr(VI) and Ni.

The arsenic-lowering effect of inulin-type prebiotics in end-stage renal disease: a randomized crossover trial.

Background: Circulatory imbalance of trace elements is frequent in end-stage renal disease (ESRD), leading to a deficiency of essential elements and excess of toxic elements. The present study aimed to investigate whether inulin-type fructans (ITFs) could ameliorate the circulatory imbalance by modulating gut microbiota and regulating the absorption and elimination of trace elements. Methods: Peritoneal dialysis patients were enrolled in a randomized crossover trial, undergoing interventions with ITFs (10 g d-1) and maltodextrin (placebo) over a 9-month period (with a 3-month washout). The primary outcomes included essential elements Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Sr, and Mo and potential toxic elements V, Cr, Ni, As, Cd, Ba, Tl, Pb, Th, and U in plasma. Secondary outcomes included the gut microbiome, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids (BAs), and daily removal of trace elements through urine, dialysate and feces. Results: Among the 44 participants initially randomized, 29 completed the prebiotic, placebo or both interventions. The daily dietary intake of macronutrients and trace elements remained consistent throughout the study. The administration of 10 g d-1 ITFs significantly reduced plasma arsenic (As) by 1.03 μg L-1 (95%CI: -1.74, -0.33) (FDR-adjusted P = 0.045) down from the baseline of 3.54 μg L-1 (IQRs: 2.61-4.40) and increased the As clearance rate by urine and dialysis (P = 0.033). Positive changes in gut microbiota were also observed, including an increase in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (P = 0.050), a trend towards higher fecal SCFAs (P = 0.082), and elevated excretion of primary BAs (P = 0.035). However, there were no significant changes in plasma concentrations of other trace elements or their daily removal by urine, dialysis and feces. Conclusions: The daily administration of 10 g d-1 ITFs proved to be effective in reducing the circulating retention of As but demonstrated to be ineffective for other trace elements in ESRD. These sentences are ok to include but as "The clinical trial registry number is ChiCTR-INR-17013739 (https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=21228)".

Epigallocatechin gallate alleviated the in vivo toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles to mouse intestine.

To evaluate the oral toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs), it is necessary to consider the interactions between NPs and nutrient molecules. Recently, we reported that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a healthy component in green tea, alleviated the toxicity of ZnO NPs to 3D Caco-2 spheroids in vitro. The present study investigated the combined effects of EGCG and ZnO NPs to mice in vivo. Mice were administrated with 35 or 105 mg/kg bodyweight ZnO NPs with or without the presence of 80 mg/kg bodyweight EGCG via gastric route, once a day, for 21 days, and the influences of EGCG on the toxicity of ZnO NPs to intestine were investigated. We found that EGCG altered the colloidal properties of ZnO NPs both in water and artificial intestine juice. As expected, ZnO NPs induced toxicological effects, such as decreased bodyweight, higher Chiu's scores, and ultrastructural changes in intestine, whereas EGCG alleviated these effects. Combined exposure to EGCG and ZnO NPs also changed trace element levels in mouse intestine. For example, the levels of Ti, Co, and Ni were only significantly elevated after co-exposure to EGCG and ZnO NPs, and Fe levels were only significantly decreased by ZnO NPs. Western blot analysis suggested that tight junction (TJ) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins were elevated by ZnO NPs, but EGCG inhibited this trend. Combined, these data suggested that gastric exposure to ZnO NPs induced intestinal damage, trace element imbalance, and TJ/ER protein expression in mouse intestine, whereas EGCG alleviated these effects of ZnO NPs.

Assessment of the State of Macro- and Microelement Composition of Oral Fluid in Teenagers and Young Adults Smokers

It is known that minerals play an important role in the regulation of various functions of the body and each cell separately, their optimal content is necessary for the formation of the body's adaptive response, for maintaining human health, while some of them are involved in the development of pathological processes. The imbalance of trace elements is one of the causes of membranotoxic enzymatic effects of cell structure and function disorders, imbalance of the body's microflora, increased lipid peroxidation, activation of adhesion processes, disruption of intercellular homeostasis, etc. Changes in the elemental composition of the oral fluid play an important role in the development of dental pathology, such as dental caries and periodontal tissue diseases. Oral fluid is highly sensitive to the effects of adverse factors, is a convenient informative non-invasive medium for clinical, including early, diagnosis of human health, and can show macro- and microelemental imbalances, which can be used as an additional marker for assessing adverse effects, such as tobacco smoke.&#x0D; The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of smoking on the macro- and microelement composition of oral fluid in teenagers and young adults.

Neutron Activation Analysis of Trace Elements in Parkinson’s Disease

Relevance: Parkinson's disease along with secondary parkinsonism is the most common neurodegenerative disease of the elderly people and remains a serious medical and social problem. Parkinsonism&#x0D; or shaking palsy is categorized as a chronic progressive brain disease. Studying the trace elements imbalance, determining their content in bio-substrates, particularly in hair, is one of the methodological&#x0D; approaches for early diagnosis of the neurodegenerative processes and improving the methodology for&#x0D; effective treatment.&#x0D; Purpose: To investigate by neutron activation analysis the hair elemental composition of patients with&#x0D; secondary parkinsonism in chronic liver failure (SPCLF) and to assess the imbalance of trace elements&#x0D; affecting the severity and course of the disease.&#x0D; Material and methods: The study involved 77 patients aged 30 to 82 years, including 21 patients with&#x0D; parkinsonism syndrome in chronic liver failure, 29 patients with Parkinson's disease and 27 patients&#x0D; with vascular parkinsonism.The trace element status of patients was studied by hair analysis using the&#x0D; neutron activation method at the VVR-SM reactor of the INP.&#x0D; Results: The hair elemental composition of patients with secondary parkinsonism in chronic liver failure was studied and the content of copper, manganese, selenium, chromium, zinc, cobalt and bromine&#x0D; in the hair of all studied patients was determined. A comparative assessment of the elements imbalance in the studied groups was carried out. Correlation analysis between the elements revealed a positive correlation between manganese and iron (r =0.51) and a negative correlation between manganese&#x0D; and bromine (r =–0.74) in the group of patients with secondary parkinsonism in chronic liver failure.&#x0D; Conclusion: The imbalance of trace elements affecting the severity and course of the disease was assessed. It is shown that the revealed deficiency of copper, iron and zinc contribute to even greater accumulation of manganese in the basal ganglia, worsening the course of the disease.

Research progress on correlations between trace element levels and epilepsy.

Research investigating the correlation between human trace element levels and disease alterations is growing. Epilepsy, a common nervous system disease, has also been found to be closely related to abnormal levels of trace elements. Studies continue to explore mechanisms of various trace elements involved in epileptic seizures through experimental animal models of epilepsy. Thus, we reviewed the research progress on the correlation between trace element levels and epilepsy in recent years and found that the trace elements most closely related to epilepsy are mainly metal ions such as selenium, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese. These results indicate that the changes in some trace elements are closely related to the increase in epilepsy susceptibility. In addition, after treatment with drugs and a ketogenic diet, the concentration of trace elements in the serum of patients with epilepsy changes. In other words, the abnormality of trace element concentrations is of great significance in the occurrence and development of epilepsy. This article is a literature update on the potential role of trace element imbalance in the development of epilepsy, providing new references for the subsequent prevention and treatment of epilepsy.

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.

Further Evidence on Trace Element Imbalances in Haemodialysis Patients-Paired Analysis of Blood and Serum Samples.

Previous studies have shown that haemodialysis patients have an increased risk of trace element imbalances. Most studies have determined the concentration of trace elements in serum only, but most trace elements are not uniformly distributed between plasma and blood cells, which justifies separate analysis of the different compartments. In this study, we determined both the serum and whole blood concentration of a wide panel of trace elements (Li, B, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Pb) in haemodialysis patients and compared them with those of a control group. Whole blood and serum samples were collected during routine laboratory testing of patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis. For comparison purposes, samples from individuals with normal renal function were also analysed. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the two groups for whole blood concentrations of all analysed elements except Zn (p = 0.347). For serum, the difference between groups was statistically significant for all elements (p < 0.05). This study confirms that patients on haemodialysis tend to present significant trace element imbalances. By determining the concentration of trace elements in both whole blood and serum, it was shown that chronic haemodialysis may affect intra- and extracellular blood compartments differently.

Crosstalk between Mfn2-mediated mitochondria associated membranes disorder and autophagy induced by molybdenum and cadmium in sheep heart.

To investigate the crosstalk of mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs) disorder and autophagy co-induced by molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) in sheep hearts. A total of 48 sheep were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, Mo group, Cd group and Mo+Cd group. The intragastric administration lasted for 50 days. The results showed that Mo or/and Cd exposure could cause morphological damage, imbalance of trace elements and antioxidant function, Ca2+ concentration decreased markedly, and significantly increase the contents of Mo or/and Cd in myocardium. Additionally, the mRNA and protein levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) related factors and mitochondrial biogenesis related factors were altered by Mo or/and Cd, as well as the content of ATP, inducing ERS and mitochondrial dysfunction. Meanwhile, Mo or/and Cd could lead to the alteration of expression level of MAMs-related genes and proteins, and the distance between mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER), resulting in MAMs disorder. Moreover, Mo or/and Cd exposure upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of autophagy related factors. In conclusion, our results revealed that Mo or/and Cd exposure caused ERS, mitochondrial dysfunction and structural MAMs disruption, ultimately leading to autophagy in sheep hearts, and the effects of Mo and Cd co-exposure were more obvious.

Association between serum trace elements and sleep disturbance in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Sleep disturbance and trace elements imbalance are common features in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, partially sharing similar mechanistic contributors and linking to adverse outcomes. However, there is a paucity of data concerning their relationship. To investigate the association between serum trace elements levels and sleep quality in the context of cirrhosis. Cross-sectional study. We consecutively enrolled 160 patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The sleep disturbance was determined by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI > 5). Serum trace elements [magnesium, calcium, iron, copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead, and manganese] was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Association of examined trace elements levels and sleep disturbance was analyzed by multiple linear (global PSQI scores) and multivariate logistic (dichotomized PSQI categories) regression models, respectively. In total, 91 patients (56.88%) represented PSQI-defined sleep disturbance, characterized by female preponderance, lower body mass index levels, and higher serum Cu levels (all p < 0.05). Looking into its clinical relevance with debilitating conditions, we showed that Cu/Zn ratio (CZr) is significantly higher in cirrhosis with poor sleep quality (1.77 versus 1.48, p = 0.003). Diagnostic performance analysis indicated CZr > 1.62 to exhibit better discrimination relative to respective Cu. Both multiple linear (β = 0.355, p < 0.001) and multivariate logistic regression (odds ratio = 2.364, p = 0.019) identified higher CZr as an independent risk factor associated with sleep disturbance. Our findings implied an association between higher CZr and the presence of sleep disturbance in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Benefits and risks of essential trace elements in chronic kidney disease: a narrative review.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important public health concern. With the decline of renal function, CKD patients gradually progress to end-stage kidney disease and need to undergo dialysis or kidney transplantation to maintain life, bringing a heavy economic burden to the family and society. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively prevent and delay the progression of CKD. Essential trace elements play an indispensable role in CKD, and the objective of this study is to systematically review their benefits in the disease and summarize the risks of their excess. The keywords "trace elements", "chronic kidney disease", "dialysis", "inflammation", and "fibrosis" and their combinations were used to search for relevant literature published in the PubMed database and Web of Science. We then summarized the role of trace element abnormalities in CKD patients in anemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and chronic fibrosis, and the risk of their excess. Imbalance of essential trace elements is a common complication of CKD and a risk factor for CKD progression, cardiovascular events, and death. This article reviews the effects of essential trace elements (iron, zinc, selenium, copper, iodine, and manganese) on CKD. We analyze literature and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various essential trace elements. Research shows CKD patients have an imbalance of essential trace elements, and treatment based on these is an important direction for future exploration. A knowledge of the homeostasis of trace elements is important to improving the prognosis of CKD patients and delaying the progression of the disease.