Role Of Trace Elements Research Articles

Role of trace elements on the production of L-glutamic acid by a mutant Micrococcus glutamicus AB100

Role of trace elements on the production of L-glutamic acid by a mutant Micrococcus glutamicus AB100

Trace elements’ concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord plasma at term gestation: a comparison between active labor and elective cesarean delivery

Objective. Trace elements are minerals required in minute quantities to maintain proper physical functioning. The role of trace elements in the process of parturition is poorly understood. This study was aimed to determine levels of trace elements’ concentration in maternal plasma and umbilical venous and arterial plasma at term during active labor vs elective cesarean delivery (CD).Study design. A prospective case–control study was conducted. Forty healthy parturients in active labor at term with their newborns were compared to 40 healthy parturients matched for maternal age, parity, and gestational age, who delivered by elective CD (before commencement of labor). Samples of maternal venous blood and umbilical cord arterial and venous blood were drawn immediately following delivery. Trace elements’ concentrations were measured using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS).Results. Significant higher levels of manganese (Mn) and selenium were found in maternal venous plasma during active labor vs elective CD. Magnesium (Mg) levels were significantly higher in maternal venous blood during elective CD compared to active labor. Umbilical cord artery levels of Mg, Mn, and zinc (Zn) were significantly higher in active term labor vs elective CD. Also, significant higher levels of copper and Zn were found in umbilical cord vein between active labor and elective CD.Conclusion. Trace elements’ concentrations differ significantly in fetal blood during active labor vs elective CD. Hence, trace elements may play a crucial role in the process of human parturition.

Anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and piggery wastewater: Focusing on the role of trace elements

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and piggery wastewater, and to identify the key factors governing the co-digestion performance. The analytical results indicated that the food waste contained higher energy potential and lower concentrations of trace elements than the piggery wastewater. Anaerobic co-digestion showed a significantly improved biogas productivity and process stability. The results of co-digestion of the food waste with the different fractions of the piggery wastewater suggested that trace element might be the reason for enhancing the co-digestion performance. By supplementing the trace elements, a long-term anaerobic digestion of the food waste only resulted in a high methane yield of 0.396m3/kg VSadded and 75.6% of VS destruction with no significant volatile fatty acid accumulation. These results suggested that the typical Korean food waste was deficient with some trace elements required for anaerobic digestion.

Association of Zinc Deficiency and Depression in the Patients With End-stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis

Depression is a common psychological symptom in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. In the general population, low serum zinc level is associated with major depression. The current study surveys the possible relationship between the prevalence of depression and plasma level of zinc in patients on hemodialysis (HD). A total of 135 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on HD were enrolled in the study. The severity of depression was assessed using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Plasma zinc level was measured from fasting samples. Mean age of the patients was 52.45 (standard deviation: 15.33) years. In all, 76% of the patients had some degree of depression according to BDI scoring system (BDI >14). The mean level of plasma zinc in the depressed patients was significantly lower than the rest of the patients (67.46 ± 29.7 vs. 85.26 + 40.05). Zinc deficiency may be a reversible cause which might contribute to the increased rate of depression in HD patients. This is the first study reporting the association of zinc deficiency with the presence of depression in HD patients; therefore, these findings need further investigations.

Hydrogen Peroxide Photocycling in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea

The dynamics of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) was investigated from December 2007 to October 2008 in the Gulf of Aqaba, which in the absence of H(2)O(2) contribution from biological production, rain and runoff, turned out to be a unique natural photochemical laboratory. A distinct seasonal pattern emerged, with highest midday surface H(2)O(2) concentrations in spring-summer (30-90 nM) as compared to winter (10-30 nM). Similarly, irradiation normalized net H(2)O(2) formation rates obtained in concurrent ship-board experiments were faster in spring-summer than in winter. These seasonal patterns were attributed to changes in water characteristics, namely elevated spring-summer chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM). The role of trace elements in H(2)O(2) photoformation was studied by simultaneously measuring superoxide (O(2)(-)), Fe(II), and H(2)O(2) formation and loss in ambient seawater and in the presence of superoxide dismutase, iron and copper. O(2)(-) was found to decay fast in the Gulf water, with a half-life of 15-28 s, primarily due to catalytic reactions with trace metals (predominantly copper). Hence, H(2)O(2) formation in the Gulf involves metal-catalyzed O(2)(-) disproptionation. Added iron moderately lowered net H(2)O(2) photoformation, probably due to its participation in Fe(II) oxidation, a process that may also modify H(2)O(2) formation in situ.

Evaluation of Hypoglycemic Activity of Inorganic Constituents in Nelumbo nucifera Seeds on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats

The seeds of Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus) have been used in the traditional system of medicine for various ailments including diabetes. The present study was aimed at analyzing the levels of biologically important trace elements in the lotus seeds by atomic absorption spectroscopy and evaluating the hypoglycemic properties of seed ash on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Diabetic rats treated with lotus seed ash at a concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight orally for 30 days exhibited significant hypoglycemic activity. The presence of trace elements in appreciable amounts in the seeds may play a direct or indirect role on insulin secretion or its action in a synergetic manner. The hypoglycemic activity of the ash was comparable with glyclazide. The role of trace elements in disorders related to diabetes is also discussed briefly.

Microelements in Stones, Urine, and Hair of Stone Formers: A New Key to the Puzzle of Lithogenesis?

The role of trace elements in lithogenesis is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of elements in urinary stones and in the urine and hair of stone formers to identify these elements that have synergic correlations in studied materials and may contribute to lithogenesis. A total of 219 consecutive patients with idiopathic upper urinary tract stones were prospectively enrolled in the study. Urine and hair samples were collected from all patients. The content of the stone was evaluated using atomic absorption spectrometry, spectrophotometry, and colorimetric methods. The analysis of 29 elements in stones and hair and 21 elements in urine was performed using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The strength of correlation was described with the value of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The positive correlation between concentration of sodium, potassium, magnesium, barium, vanadium, zinc, silicon, phosphorus, and iodine in phosphate stones was observed. Only a few incidental correlations between the composition of stones and the distribution of elements in urine and in hair were found. There were 109 positive two-element correlations between two materials. The most common were observed for vanadium, aluminum, lead, cobalt, and molybdenum. Two-element positive correlations for all samples were established only for three elements: vanadium, lead, and aluminum. Results indicate that analysis of particular elements in hair and urine cannot predict the composition of urinary stones. This study showed, for the first time, correlations between the levels of vanadium, lead, and aluminum in the stones, urine, and hair of stone formers.

Association between serum copper, zinc and hospital admissions among care home residents

Nutritional status is important in various health care settings, long-term care is no exception. The relationship between protein-energy malnutrition and clinical outcomes in care homes has been reported. However, little is known about the roles of trace elements in clinical outcomes of care home residents. In 2002, 75 severely disabled care home residents (mean age: 77.7 ± 8.2 years, 64.3% males) were enrolled for study. The status of protein-energy malnutrition at enrollment was as follows: 47.9% underweight (body mass index, BMI < 20 kg/m 2), 15.5% hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin <3.5 mg/dl), and 29.6% hypocholesterolemia (serum total cholesterol <160 mg/dl), respectively. During the 6-month follow-up, anthropometric measurements (i.e., BMI and mid-arm circumferences) remained similar, but the biochemical markers of nutritional status (i.e., albumin, total cholesterol) were significantly deteriorated, and both serum zinc and copper were significantly increased. Compared with subjects without hospitalizations during the follow-up period, subjects ever hospitalized had significantly lower mean serum levels of albumin (3.6 ± 0.3 mg/dl vs. 3.9 ± 0.3 mg/dl, p = 0.002), zinc (74.3 ± 12.1 vs. 89.6 ± 20.5 μg/dl, p = 0.020), and higher serum levels of copper (110.6 ± 14.1 vs. 95.2 ± 21.1 μg/dl, p = 0.023) at baseline screening. Adjusted for age, sex, and protein-energy malnutrition, baseline serum copper (odds ratio = OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.02–1.15, p = 0.015) and zinc (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.84–1.00, p = 0.053) were significant independent predictive factor for hospital admissions. In conclusion, adjusted for age, sex, and protein-energy malnutrition, serum levels of copper and zinc both were independent predictive factors for hospitalizations among care home residents. Further interventional study is needed to clarify the prognostic roles of serum copper and zinc among care home residents.

The Effect of β-Glucan on Trace Element Levels in Intra-Abdominal Sepsis in Rats

Sepsis is associated with the development of progressive damage in multiple organ systems. The beneficial effect of glucans has been attributed to modulation of immune function and enhances defense against bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the putative protective effect of ß-glucan on changes of trace element levels in various tissues after experimental sepsis in rats. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) in 28 male Wistar albino rats. To evaluate this, rats were divided into four groups as sham operated, ß-glucan treated sham operated, CLP, and ß-glucan treated CLP. Sixteen hours after operation, rats were decapitated and zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels were determined in the liver, kidney, heart, diaphragm, and lung tissues. The results demonstrate that sepsis significantly decreased zinc and copper levels of all tissues. The decrease in tissue zinc and copper levels demonstrates the role of trace elements in sepsis-induced tissue damage. Our results indicated that ß-glucan administration did not return the zinc and copper levels to the control group level, and it seems likely that the given dose of ß-glucan was insufficient to prevent sepsis-induced organ injury.

The role of trace elements in the pathogenesis and progress of pilocarpine-induced epileptic seizures

X-ray fluorescence microscopy was applied for topographic and quantitative elemental analysis within the areas of the rat brain that undergo neurodegenerative changes in consequence of pilocarpine-induced seizures. Significant changes in levels of selected elements were observed in epileptic animals. They included an increased tissue content of Ca in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus and in the cerebral cortex. The opposite relation was observed for the Cu level in the dentate gyrus and for Zn in the CA3 region of the hippocampus and in the dentate gyrus.

Bismuth is low in the hair and blood of depressed subjects

The role of trace elements (TE) in human depression (D) is poorly understood. In this prospective double‐blind exploratory study we examined the bismuth in the hair and whole blood (WB) of D and healthy subjects (C). Forty‐eight D (15 men and 33 women) and 48 apparently healthy C (23 men and 25 women) subjects, 23–92 years old, were studied. Clinical depression was diagnosed according to the DSM‐IV clinical criteria by a board certified MD specialized in psychiatry. The study was conducted by strict adherence to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the IMI Ethical Committee. Hair and WB bismuth were analyzed by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry at the Center for Biotic Medicine, Moscow, Russia. The median difference of ≥ 30% between C and D subjects was considered significant. The hair median values (mg/kg) were 0.040 vs. 0.022, and that for WB were 0.000603 vs. 0.000424 for C and D subjects, respectively. Thus, the bismuth levels are higher in both hair and WB of C than D subjects; about fifty times more bismuth got deposited into the hair than in WB. Women tend to have almost two times more bismuth in their hair than men, whereas bismuth was two times higher in the hair of the control vs. depressed subjects. In our study of multielement profile of depression only selenium has a similar pattern of response associated with depression.

Role of trace elements in somatic embryogenesis – A PIXE study

Proton induced X-ray emission was used to study the trace elemental profiles of embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus of an important cash crop of India – Plantago ovata. Somatic embryogenesis, a well-known process for plant regeneration and crop improvement is modulated by various factors such as ionizing radiation and micro nutrients in the growth media. The present work reports the trace element variation in normal and irradiated callus tissue of P. ovata. Embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus tissues were exposed to gamma rays from a 60Co gamma source. The absorbed dose ranged from 10 to 100Gy. Subsequent experiments showed significant dose dependent alterations in K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Sr in both the embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus. The precise involvement of these elements has been discussed in light of somatic embryogenesis of the selected medicinal plant.

Loss of Bone Calcium in Exposure to 50 Hz Magnetic Fields

This study investigates the effect of whole body exposure to magnetic fields on the calcium level of blood and bone in a trial to avoid the liability of osteoporosis, fractures, and delayed union of fractures after exposure to magnetic fields present everywhere in the environment. The procedures of the study included analysis for calcium level in both bone and blood. The procedures were performed on 50 Guinea pigs equally divided into 5 groups. Groups A, B, C, and D were exposed to 50 Hz, 0.2 mT magnetic field for 30 d. Group E animals were the control. Group A was sacrificed immediately after exposure; Group B was left away from the field for 15 d for spontaneous repair; Group C received the drug Centrum dissolved in drinking water for 15 d after exposure to the magnetic field; and Group D received centrum in drinking water during the period of exposure (30 d). After sacrificing all animals, the calcium level in both bone and blood was evaluated. Values of blood analysis revealed significant increase in the blood calcium level in exposed animals compared with the control group (P < 0.002) with excess in Group A. This indicated that the calcium left the bone to the blood. Values of the bone analysis revealed significant decrease in bone calcium concentration level in Group A compared with the control group and improvement in the bone condition in Groups C and D, indicating the role of trace element after the exposure period as a compensatory agent of magnetic field damage and its role during the exposure period as a radio-protecting agent.

Molecular and Cellular Events in Alcohol‐Induced Muscle Disease

Alcohol consumption induces a dose-dependent noxious effect on skeletal muscle, leading to progressive functional and structural damage of myocytes, with concomitant reductions in lean body mass. Nearly half of high-dose chronic alcohol consumers develop alcoholic skeletal myopathy. The pathogenic mechanisms that lie between alcohol intake and loss of muscle tissue involve multiple pathways, making the elucidation of the disease somewhat difficult. This review discusses the recent advances in basic and clinical research on the molecular and cellular events involved in the development of alcohol-induced muscle disease. The main areas of recent research interest on this field are as follows: (i) molecular mechanisms in alcohol exposed muscle in the rat model; (ii) gene expression changes in alcohol exposed muscle; (iii) the role of trace elements and oxidative stress in alcoholic myopathy; and (iv) the role of apoptosis and preapoptotic pathways in alcoholic myopathy. These aforementioned areas are crucial in understanding the pathogenesis of this disease. For example, there is overwhelming evidence that both chronic alcohol ingestion and acute alcohol intoxication impair the rate of protein synthesis of myofibrillar proteins, in particular, under both postabsorptive and postprandial conditions. Perturbations in gene expression are contributory factors to the development of alcoholic myopathy, as ethanol-induced alterations are detected in over 400 genes and the protein profile (i.e., the proteome) of muscle is also affected. There is supportive evidence that oxidative damage is involved in the pathogenesis of alcoholic myopathy. Increased lipid peroxidation is related to muscle fibre atrophy, and reduced serum levels of some antioxidants may be related to loss of muscle mass and muscle strength. Finally, ethanol induces skeletal muscle apoptosis and increases both pro- and antiapoptotic regulatory mechanisms.

Role of trace elements in primary arterial hypertension

A negative relationship between water hardness and cardiovascular mortality rate was demonstrated and became a source of interest regarding minerals and trace metals in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and arterial hypertension. Higher incidences of sudden death, cerebrovascular diseases, arterial hypertension, and coronary heart disease have been reported in soft water areas. Amajor research effort has been devoted to the problem in an attempt to find a protective factor in hard water or a detrimental factor or element in soft water. The roles of calcium, magnesium, cobalt, lithium, vanadium, silicon, manganese, and copper have been considered potentially beneficial, whereas those of cadmium, lead, silver, zinc, and thallium have been considered potentially harmful. Cobalt and zinc have been attributed both roles. In the present article, the role of trace quantities of several elements in mineral water in the etiopathogenesis of primary arterial hypertension is reviewed.

Role of trace elements in primary arterial hypertension

A negative relationship between water hardness and cardiovascular mortality rate was demonstrated and became a source of interest regarding minerals and trace metals in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and arterial hypertension. Higher incidences of sudden death, cerebrovascular diseases, arterial hypertension, and coronary heart disease have been reported in soft water areas. Amajor research effort has been devoted to the problem in an attempt to find a protective factor in hard water or a detrimental factor or element in soft water. The roles of calcium, magnesium, cobalt, lithium, vanadium, silicon, manganese, and copper have been considered potentially beneficial, whereas those of cadmium, lead, silver, zinc, and thallium have been considered potentially harmful. Cobalt and zinc have been attributed both roles. In the present article, the role of trace quantities of several elements in mineral water in the etiopathogenesis of primary arterial hypertension is reviewed.

Environmental toxicology and exposure to natural dust: The role of trace elements

Environmental toxicology and exposure to natural dust: The role of trace elements

Role of trace elements in cadmium chloride uptake in hepatoma cell lines

Cadmium coexists with other metals in various products. Releases of cadmium in the environment occur in parallel to the release of other metals including copper, iron and zinc which also have an essential role in human homeostasis as they participate in various biochemical pathways. We studied the interaction of iron, copper, zinc and calcium channel blockers (nifedipine and verapamil) with cadmium chloride in two hepatoma cell lines (HepG2 and HTC cells) in order to determine if these trace elements can affect CdCl 2 uptake and interfere with its toxicity. Both cell lines were initially exposed to CdCl 2 (0–200 μM) for 2 h and the uptake of the metal was determined. Cadmium chloride uptake by HepG2 and HTC cells shows an increase with increasing doses of the metal. Cells were also pretreated with 100 uM of FeCl 2 or ZnCl 2 or CuCl 2 or with a nifedipine/verapamil (100 uM) mixture for 2 h and then exposed to 200 uM CdCl 2 for 1 h in the presence of the trace elements. The uptake of CdCl 2 was determined as well as the membrane integrity (LDH leakage assay), the cell viability (neutral red assay) and cell proliferation (protein assay). Zinc and calcium channel blockers inhibited the uptake of cadmium chloride by both cell lines. On the other hand iron loading resulted in increased uptake of CdCl 2 by both cell lines whereas copper loading increased the uptake of cadmium chloride from HTC cells and inhibited the uptake by HepG2 cells. These findings are of importance when the effects of cadmium on living organisms are examined since co-exposure to cadmium and other metals can occur.

The Role of Trace Elements in Homeopathic Preparations and the Influence of Container Material, Storage Duration, and Potentisation

Objective: To investigate trace elements in liquid homeopathicpreparations and the influence of container material,storage duration, and potentisation. Materials andMethods: Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy(ICP-MS), we investigated (a) aqua bidestillata(ABD) stored for 12 h in either brown glass or high densitypolyethylene (HDPE) bottles; (b) ABD stored for 2 h inHDPE, the same additionally filled in brown glass bottle,and ABD potentised in brown glass up to C30; (c) - at 3different sample ages and with statistical analysis - ABDC30 (brown glass), AgNO3 C30 (brown glass), and controls(unsuccussed, brown glass and HDPE). Results:Contamination of the initial ABD increased and elementconcentrations changed far more when stored in brownglass bottles than in HDPE. Effects were strongest duringinitial storage time and during the first potentisation stepfrom mother tincture to C1; subsequent potentising stepsproduced no relevant changes. Potencies of AgNO3 andpotencies of water contained similar contamination. Conclusions:Potentising accelerates material exchange betweencontainer and solvent, mostly during succussion.Research on potentised preparations should use potentisedcontrols with equal preparation and storage time. Ifphysical and biological effects of potencies exist, contaminantsmight be one factor for their generation.

Role of Trace Elements in Primary Arterial Hypertension: Is Mineral Water Style or Prophylaxis?

A negative relationship between water hardness and cardiovascular mortality rate was demonstrated and became a source of interest regarding minerals and trace metals in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and arterial hypertension. Higher incidences of sudden death, cerebrovascular diseases, arterial hypertension, and coronary heart disease have been reported in soft water areas. A major research effort has been devoted to the problem in an attempt to find a protective factor in hard water or a detrimental factor or element in soft water. The roles of calcium, magnesium, cobalt, lithium, vanadium, silicon, manganese, and thallium [corrected] have been considered potentially beneficial, whereas those of cadmium, lead, silver, zinc, and antimony have been considered potentially harmful. Cobalt and zinc have been attributed both roles. In the present article, the role of trace quantities of several elements in mineral water in the etiopathogenesis of primary arterial hypertension is reviewed.