Levels Of Other Trace Elements Research Articles

Sodium, Magnesium, Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Copper, and Zinc in Serums of Beta Thalassemia Major Patients

Thalassemia major is the most severe form of thalassemia and occurs with the impaired synthesis of β-globin which causes the accumulation of unpaired alpha globin chain. Patients with beta thalassemia major can only survive with periodically safe blood transfusions leading to the accumulation of iron in the bloods of patients, and this causes several endocrinopathies. Although iron overload in thalassemic patients has been extensively studied, there is little information about the levels of other trace elements. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of serum concentrations of sodium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc for patients with major β-thalassemia. Concentration of elements was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry system. The statistical difference between the elemental concentrations of the patient and control groups was found by the Mann-Whitney U test. In addition, the relationship between concentrations of the measured elements for each group was determined by the Spearman correlation test. The results revealed that iron, zinc, magnesium, and manganese serum levels of thalassemic patients were significantly higher than the control group while calcium concentration was statistically lower than the control group. There was no significant difference observed for copper and sodium levels of patients when compared to the healthy control group.

Orthosilicic acid (OSA) reduced grain arsenic accumulation and enhanced yield by modulating the level of trace element, antioxidants, and thiols in rice.

Arsenic (As), a toxic metalloid, is finding its route to human through intake of As-contaminated water and consumption of food grown on contaminated soil. Rice is the most As-affected crop. Present study is aimed to assess the impact of stabilized orthosilicic acid (a proprietary formulation for plant-available silicon (Si) and earlier used as fertilizer for rice to enhance growth and yield) in reducing the accumulation of As in rice grains. Application of arsenic in the form of arsenate (AsV) and arsenite (AsIII) significantly affected plant growth in a dose-dependent manner. Higher doses of AsV and AsIII (50 and 25mgL-1 respectively) significantly decreased the yield attributes leading to lower yield. A significant accumulation of As in grain was observed in both AsV- and AsIII-exposed plants in a dose-dependent manner. Arsenic exposure also increased the level of Si in rice grains. Application of Si, either in soil or on leaves (foliar), greatly reduced grain As accumulation (up to 67% in AsV and 78% in AsIII) and enhanced the growth and yield of plants under As stress. The level of thiols and activities of antioxidant enzymes were also enhanced under Si application. Foliar Si application was more effective in increasing grain Si level and reducing grain As than soil Si. The level of other trace elements was also significantly enhanced by Si application irrespective of the presence or absence of As in comparison with control. Arsenic exposure constrained some of the trace elements, such as Zn and Co, which were restored by Si application. Results of the present study showed that the application of currently used Si formulation may effectively reduce grain As level even in highly As-contaminated soil and improve grain quality of rice.

Geochemical Footprint of Megacities on River Sediments: A Case Study of the Fourth Most Populous Area in India, Chennai

An intensive surface sediment survey was carried out over 24 locations from the upstream to downstream sections of two large rivers (Adyar and Cooum) in Chennai (India) during the February dry season of 2015. Trace element concentrations were assessed on a <63 µm fraction using the Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) and the newly proposed Geochemical Urban Footprint Index (GUFI), which can be performed to determine the pollution status of any megacity river influenced by urban development. The sediment quality of Chennai’s rivers was also compared to worldwide megacity pollution using sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), and a new megacity pollution ranking was determined. The Igeo results indicate that the Chennai rivers studied are strongly to extremely polluted regarding trace element content of sediment. Silver (Ag), Cadmium (Cd) and Mercury (Hg) are the most significant tracers of urban contamination. Chromium (Cr) concentrations show an industrial contamination gradient in relation to levels of other trace elements (As, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) at the Chennai megacity scale. The GUFI ranges from moderate to extreme contamination, particularly in the downstream stretches of the two rivers. This spatial trend is related to various point sources and identified at specific sampling stations, with a lack of identifiable buffer zones. According to the worldwide comparison of megacity pollution, Chennai is ranked in fifth position. The present position can be attributed to a number of explanations: a population explosion associated with the unplanned growth of the city and non-controlled point sources of pollution in Chennai’s waterways.

Biomonitoring trace element contamination impacted by atmospheric deposition in China's remote mountains

The purpose of this study is to better understand the key driving factors affecting the distribution of trace elements in remote mountainous areas at a national scale. In this regard, eight trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn) in mosses were investigated at thirty remote mountains across China. The sources and possible factors controlling the distribution of trace elements in the mosses were identified through multivariate statistical analysis and Pb isotopic ratios. The results showed that the concentrations of trace elements in the mosses were higher than the levels in most European countries but comparable to those in Chinese cities. Mosses had the highest concentration levels of Cd and Sb and slightly lower levels of other trace elements. Spatially, moss contamination with the trace elements was significantly higher in the eastern, southern and southwestern China than in other regions. Mining-related activities, fuel combustion and other industrial emissions were identified as the main anthropogenic sources of As, Cd, Pb, Sb and Zn, whereas Cr, Cu and Ni were mainly from natural sources. The precipitation from monsoons clearly altered the distribution of anthropogenic elements in the mosses. The results of this study indicate that the trace elements in the mosses of China's remote mountains were affected by regional anthropogenic emissions, and the monsoon-dominated trace element transport and deposition should be highlighted at a large regional scale. These findings provide baseline data for future targeting policies to protect remote ecosystems from long-term inputs of trace elements via long-range atmospheric transportation.

Levels of heavy and essential trace metals and their correlation with antioxidant and health status in individuals occupationally exposed to municipal solid wastes.

Recent studies have indicated an increased incidence of toxic neuropathies among waste management workers (WMW) possibly linked to increased detection of heavy metals in municipal solid wastes. The present study evaluated serum levels of some heavy and essential trace metals in relation to oxidant/antioxidant status of WMW. One hundred and twenty-six WMW and 84 non-WMW (control) were recruited. Metal/element concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and oxidant/antioxidant markers were determined using standard procedures. The WMW exhibited significantly ( p < 0.001) decreased ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and higher levels of ceruloplasmin (Cp) and malondialdehyde. Iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) levels were significantly lower ( p < 0.05) and higher ( p < 0.001), respectively in WMW when compared with control while levels of other trace elements were not significantly different between these groups. Lead (Pb) and chromium levels were significantly higher ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) in WMW while mercury levels were comparable with those of control subjects. In WMW, Cp ( r = -0.182; p > 0.05) and FRAP ( r = 0.277; p < 0.05) negatively and positively correlated with Pb, respectively, while a positive correlation was observed between zinc ( r = 0.230; p < 0.05) and Pb and between Cu ( r = 0.541; p > 0.001) and Fe. Overall, the decreased antioxidant capacity and increased oxidative stress observed in WMW in this study may be related to their blood levels of heavy and essential trace metals. Conscious efforts are required, therefore, to reduce risk and protect WMW from toxic neuropathies and other adverse health consequences of occupational exposure.

Dietary intake of trace elements by the population of Catalonia (Spain): results from a total diet study

This study aimed to analyse the concentrations of Al, Ba, Bi, Cu, Cr, Ge, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb, Se, Sr and Zn in food samples collected in 2008 in Catalonia (Spain). The dietary intake of these 13 trace elements was subsequently estimated by different age–gender groups of the population: children, adolescents, adults and seniors. In general terms, fish and shellfish, cereals, and pulses were the food groups showing the highest levels for most elements. Higher dietary intakes were associated with male groups (adolescents, adults and seniors). However, none exceeded the tolerable levels. When exposure was estimated based on body weight, children were the group with the highest dietary intake. Notwithstanding, only the weekly intake of Al by children exceeded the recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It is a consequence of the higher intake of cereals in relation to their respective body weights. In addition to the periodical food surveillance of toxic metals (As, Cd, Hg and Pb), it is also important to determine the levels of other trace elements in order to ensure that the dietary exposure by the Catalan population is under control.

Explorating the mechanism of Mn-induced dopaminergic injury

Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element contributingto various physiological processes like brain development,diverse metabolisms and proper function of antioxidativeenzymes like Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) (Erikson et al.,2005). On the downside, overexposure to Mn can lead to thedegeneration of dopaminergic neurons inducing a Parkinson-like complaint called manganism. Extensive studies havebeen carried out to decipher transport routes into thebrain and to detect cellular mechanisms of oxidative injuryin the affected brain areas (Crossgrove et al., 2003; Yokel,2009 ;Yokel and Crossgrove, 2004 Aschner et al., 2007).Nevertheless, the correlation between the active Mn-species and the occurring conceivable causes of oxidativeinjury has not been drawn so far. The aim of this study istherefore, to elucidate the predominant Mn-species in theexposed brain and link it to levels of glutamate or GABA,AchE activity, Fe(II)/(III) status and levels of other traceelements like Cu, Fe or Zn (Figure 1).The applied model was a feeding trial of rats, where Mnlevels were elevated (500 mg/kg) in a non-toxic manner inthe test group and which lasted for 53 days.After removal of the brain, it was deep frozen androughly homogenized. Levels of Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn weredetermined in the whole brain by ICP-OES or –MS. Mn levelswere significantly higher in Mn-exposed (test) rats comparedto normal exposed (control) rats, which was interestinglyalso true for Cu levels. Furthermore an aqueous extractionof the brain served as matrix for determination of AchEactivity as well as glutamate and GABA levels by commercialavailable kits. Test rats showed significantly elevated AchEactivity as well as increased glutamate levels, indicatingoxidative stress in the affected brain tissue (Erikson andAschner, 2003; Melo et al., 2003). The same brain extractswere applied for determination of the Fe(II)/(III) status by

Dietary selenium affects host selenoproteome expression by influencing the gut microbiota

Colonization of the gastrointestinal tract and composition of the microbiota may be influenced by components of the diet, including trace elements. To understand how selenium regulates the intestinal microflora, we used high-throughput sequencing to examine the composition of gut microbiota of mice maintained on selenium-deficient, selenium-sufficient, and selenium-enriched diets. The microbiota diversity increased as a result of selenium in the diet. Specific phylotypes showed differential effects of selenium, even within a genus, implying that selenium had unique effects across microbial taxa. Conventionalized germ-free mice subjected to selenium diets gave similar results and showed an increased diversity of the bacterial population in animals fed with higher levels of selenium. Germ-free mice fed selenium diets modified their selenoproteome expression similar to control mice but showed higher levels and activity of glutathione peroxidase 1 and methionine-R-sulfoxide reductase 1 in the liver, suggesting partial sequestration of selenium by the gut microorganisms, limiting its availability for the host. These changes in the selenium status were independent of the levels of other trace elements. The data show that dietary selenium affects both composition of the intestinal microflora and colonization of the gastrointestinal tract, which, in turn, influence the host selenium status and selenoproteome expression.

Pyrite and Pyrrhotite Textures and Composition in Sediments, Laminated Quartz Veins, and Reefs at Bendigo Gold Mine, Australia: Insights for Ore Genesis

The various types, textures, and compositional zoning of pyrite in the gold-bearing saddle reefs, quartz veins, and surrounding sedimentary rocks provide new information on the potential source and timing of gold and arsenic and related fluid processes responsible for mineralization at Bendigo. Nodular diagenetic pyrite in the black shale tops to sandstone turbidites is enriched in invisible gold and arsenic with mean values of 0.61 ppm Au, 1,300 ppm As, and Au/Ag <1, based on LA-ICPMS analyses. Other elements enriched in the diagenetic pyrite within the organic-rich shales are Mn, Zn, Mo, Cu, V, Ba, Ag, Cd, Tl, Co, Ni, Bi, Pb, and Te. In contrast, euhedral- and growth-zoned hydrothermal pyrite in the turbidites and bedding-parallel laminated quartz veins contains lower contents of most trace elements but has higher contents of invisible Au and As, especially on the outermost rim of the pyrite. The gold-rich pyrite rims generally become thicker (a few to hundreds of microns) in proximity to the gold-bearing saddle reefs. Pyrite in the reef commonly has the highest levels of invisible Au and As and the lowest levels of other trace elements. It is characterized by Au/Ag >1 and Au/Pb >0.01. In the deepest stratigraphic levels, below known productive gold reefs, diagenetic pyrite in the most carbonaceous shales has been replaced by pyrrhotite during metamorphism. LA-ICPMS analyses reveal that the disseminated pyrrhotite contains similar levels of Ni and Co to the diagenetic pyrite but is strongly depleted in As and Au. The spatial relationships between organic-rich shales, folded bedding-parallel laminated quartz veins, and gold-arsenic−bearing saddle reefs, combined with the consistent trends in the trace element composition of pyrite hosted by these three geological elements, is interpreted to indicate that the black shales were an initial source of Au and As, and the laminated quartz veins acted as the initial pathways for hydrothermal fluid flow carrying Au and As from the source shales to the saddle reefs. Maximum gold and arsenic input into the reefs, principally as free gold plus arsenopyrite, occurred late during deformation toward the end of the hydrothermal cycle and is expressed by the Au-As−rich rims to hydrothermal pyrite in the sedimentary host rocks, laminated quartz veins, and reefs. This corresponds with final fold lockup and the development of through-going fault arrays linking adjacent anticlines. The source of Au and As for this final, and most economically important, fluid-flow event is considered to be from carbonaceous shales deeper in the basin, where original gold-bearing diagenetic arsenian pyrite reacts with organic matter and is converted to pyrrhotite, with release of Au, As, and S to the metamorphic fluid.

Parenteral Selenium and Vitamin E Supplementation to Lambs: Hematology, Serum Biochemistry, Performance, and Relationship with Other Trace Elements

Most regions in Iran are generally selenium (Se) deficient and all mineral premixes which used in farm animals contain Se in the form of sodium selenite. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of injected Se and vitamin E (vit E) on hematology, serum proteins, and performance of lambs during the period which the animals are at risk of Se and/or vit E deficiency. The study also aims to determine the relationship between selenium injection and the levels of other trace elements in blood serum of lambs. A total of 16 lambs of Baloochi breed (age, 70 ± 7 days and weight, 15.2 ± 1.4) were enrolled in the study. The animals were divided into two groups. In the test group, vit E and Se injected at a dose of 0.2 ml/kg BW (Vetoquinol, Selepherol®, Lure Cedex, France, α-tocopherol acetate 3.82 g/100 ml plus sodium selenite 0.023 g/100 ml) at the enrollment. Control lambs were received equal amounts of normal saline as placebo. Blood was sampled from the jugular vein at the beginning of the study (enrollment, before injection of vit E and selenium and saline) and at days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of experiment. The amounts of total serum protein, albumin, glucose, iron, copper, zinc, creatine kinase (CK), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Se were measured. The concentration of globulin was calculated as the difference between total serum protein and albumin. For evaluation of growth and health, body weight of all the lambs was measured at day 0 of the experiment and the sampling times and days of treatment for each lamb were recorded. Treatment with Se and vit E decreased the activities of CK and AST compared to the controls (p < 0.05). Age (sampling time) had significant effects on the values of Se, iron, zinc, AST, hemoglobin, total protein, glucose, weight, height, and length (p < 0.05). Significant interactions between sampling time and group were seen for CK, AST, iron, glucose, weight, and length. No significant differences were seen for total weight gain (control, 3.48 ± 0.75 kg; test, 3.85 ± 0.9 kg), and average daily gain (control, 0.12 ± 0.03 kg; test, 0.14 ± 0.03 kg) between trial groups.

Trace element levels in adults from the west coast of Canada and associations with age, gender, diet, activities, and levels of other trace elements

The purpose of this study was to assess trace element levels in whole blood, serum and urine of 61 non-smoking adults living on the west coast of Canada and to determine their association with the following variables: age, gender, diet, participation in certain hobby and/or occupational activities, and levels of other trace elements. Participants or their spouses were employed as oyster growers and were originally recruited to study the absorption of cadmium from oyster consumption. Trace elements were measured using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A telephone interview was used to assess participant’s intake of selected foods and the amount of time they have spent on certain activities over the lifetime. Comparison of results to previous studies revealed that blood lead, blood mercury, serum nickel, serum selenium and urine molybdenum levels were generally higher in this study than have previously been measured, possibly due to higher consumption of seafood in this sample. Men had statistically higher levels of serum iron, blood lead, and serum selenium, while women had statistically higher levels of serum copper and blood manganese. Blood lead levels increased with age. Diet had a statistically significant association with several elements. Consumption of spinach, seaweed, organ meats, and shellfish tended to be positively correlated with trace element concentrations and consumption of various forms of potatoes tended to be negatively correlated. Several statistically significant correlations were also observed between trace elements.

A preliminary assessment of the urban pollution in the Great Lakes region

Trends in emissions of trace elements to the atmosphere in the Great Lakes region are compared with those of ambient concentrations observed in the urban areas of Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and Toronto from 1982 to 1993. Lead emissions show a steady decrease throughout the region, whereas the emissions of Ni, Cr, Cu, Mn and Cd are following upward trends, and As emissions do not show substantial changes. Our estimates by source category suggest that the emission of trace elements from iron-steel manufacturing, waste incineration and non-ferrous metal production are steadily increasing, whereas emissions from oil combustion are decreasing and that from coal combustion do not show significant changes since 1982. A trend analysis performed on the ambient concentration data from all the urban sites shows a steady decrease of Pb concentrations (3–20%/yr) in all the urban areas, whereas the level of other trace elements is following upward and downward trends depending upon the urban area and sample site locations.

Impact of lead pollution on the status of other trace metals in blood and alterations in hepatic functions.

Lead pollution and its impact on the status of four other trace elements--Fe, Zn, Br, and Rb--have been studied in the whole blood samples of different population groups employing energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique. These population groups included normal, automobile workers and lead battery manufacturers. The maximum increase in the concentration of trace elements in the blood samples of automobile workers and battery manufacturers was observed for Pb, when compared with normal Pb-B levels. The effect of lead pollution had significantly reduced Zn levels in automobile workers. Fe-B levels in automobile workers had been found to be reduced significantly as compared to control, whereas in battery workers the reduction was not significant. The concentration of Br was greatly enhanced in the blood samples of automobile workers, whereas Rb-B levels were significantly higher in both the automobile and battery workers. Oral administration of lead acetate (100 mg/kg body wt) to experimental rats significantly decreased the activities of hepatic transaminases after 3 and 4 mo of treatment, whereas the activity of hepatic alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly after 4 mo of treatment. It is concluded from this study that higher Pb-B levels greatly influence the levels of other trace elements in human blood samples and also the activities of hepatic transaminases as well as alkaline phosphatase in experimental rats.

The use of INAA for the determination of trace elements, in particular cadmium, in plastics in relation to the enforcement of pollution standards

Many plastic products have relatively short life cycles. Upon final destruction, inorganic additives used for pigmentation, as polymer stabilizer or as flame retarding agent are being released to the environment. In a rapidly increasing way governmental authorities are setting limits to the use of inorganic additives, in particular cadmium, in plastics. INAA has attractive characteristics which may make authorities decide to select it for the control programs in relation to the enforcement of pollution standards. In this paper, an evaluation is made of the use of INAA for such analysis; analysis protocols, sensitivities, and observed levels of other trace elements are being discussed.