Trace Element Concentrations In Tissues Research Articles

Trace elements in Alaska's ice seals in the 2000s and 2010s.

Ringed (Pusa hispida), bearded (Erignathus barbatus), spotted (Phoca largha), and ribbon (Histriophoca fasciata) seals are ice-associated seals that are important subsistence resources for coastal Alaska Native people. These seals are also mid- to upper trophic level Arctic predators and primary prey of polar bears (Ursus maritimus). We analyzed concentrations of 19 trace elements in seal liver, kidney, muscle, and blubber, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and vanadium due to their potential toxicity. We also measured monomethyl mercury, the more biologically available and toxic form of mercury, in a subsample of seals. We tested for differences in elemental concentrations by seal sex, age, and two periods, 2003-2007 and 2011-2016, to detect environmental trends, assess seal health, and explore trace elements in seal tissues as indicators of seal diet. Trace element concentrations were within ranges that were similar or below that previously measured for these species throughout their range in the Arctic and subarctic. We found relationships between concentration and seal sex or age, as well as differences between periods, with a notable decline over time in magnesium for bearded seal liver and kidney, and ringed and spotted seal liver. Relative concentrations of methyl mercury and total mercury among the four seal species matched known patterns of piscivory and pelagic feeding. Cadmium concentrations were highest in bearded and ribbon seals, possibly due to greater benthic feeding and consumption of squid, respectively. Tissue trace element concentrations from sick seals collected during the 2011-2016 Northern Alaska Pinnipeds Unusual Mortality Event did not differ from those of healthy subsistence harvested seals. Our analysis of trace elements in four Alaskan ice seal species can inform toxicological risk assessments regarding non-essential elements of concern and assessments of nutritional benefits regarding essential elements for seals and for the people and polar bears that eat them.

Assessment of Amphibola crenata as a bioindicator of estuarine trace element pollution using biochemical and physiological endpoints

To assess its utility as a bioindicator of estuarine contamination, Amphibola crenata, a pulmonate mud snail, was collected from 17 estuaries in New Zealand. Whole-body soft tissue trace element concentrations were measured via quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometer (Q-ICP-MS) and were found to be significantly positively correlated with sediment trace element profiles for arsenic, copper and lead. Snails from polluted estuaries generally displayed higher ammonia excretion rates, elevated whole-body soft tissue catalase activity and lipid peroxidation compared to snails from reference sites. Across all sites haemolymph glucose was positively correlated with the tissue burdens of arsenic, copper, nickel and zinc, while haemolymph protein was negatively correlated with arsenic, cadmium and zinc soft tissue concentrations, indicative of altered energy metabolism associated with trace element contamination. Overall, sites were distinguishable by application of the array of measures employed. Our findings suggest that gastropods have significant value as bioindicators of estuarine health.

Domestic dogs as environmental sentinel in comparative toxicologic pathology: Assessment of metals and rare earth elements concentrations in healthy and neoplastic mammary glands

Quantification of trace element concentrations in human and animal tissues has acquired great importance in the last few years, considering the pivotal role of these elements in several physiological and pathological processes. Variations in their concentrations appear to have a role in the development and advancement of diseases in both humans and animals, for example, cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration of rare earth elements and metals in healthy and neoplastic Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) mammary gland tissue of dogs. All samples were processed to have a quantitative determination of inorganic elements including metals of known toxicological interest such as Pb, Cd, Tl, As, Hg, the trace elements Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, and other elements including Cr, V, Mo, Ni, Sb, W, Sn. Moreover, rare earth elements (REEs) (Sc, Y, Lu, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) were also investigated. Cu and Mo concentrations in mammary cancerous tissue were greater than those in normal mammary glands (p < 0.05). In non-neoplastic tissue increased concentrations of Cd, Co, Ni, Tl, and V were also reported (p < 0.05). The mammary tissue of healthy individuals had greater concentrations of REEs than the neoplastic mammary glands (p < 0.05). The results of our study confirmed differences in mammary inorganic element concentrations between healthy and neoplastic groups, highlighting the potential relevance of these fluctuations in toxicologic pathology.

EDXRF and the relative presence of K, Ca, Fe and as in amyloidogenic tissues

Trace and minor elements play crucial roles in a variety of biological processes, including amyloid fibrils formation. Mechanisms include activation or inhibition of enzymatic reactions, competition between elements and metal proteins for binding positions, also changes to the permeability of cellular membranes. These may influence carcinogenic processes, with trace and minor element concentrations in normal and amyloid tissues potentially aiding in cancer diagnosis and etiology. With the analytical capability of the spectroscopic technique X-ray fluorescence (XRF), this can be used to detect and quantify the presence of elements in amyloid characterization, two of the trace elements known to be associated with amyloid fibrils. In present work, involving samples from a total of 22 subjects, samples of normal and amyloid-containing tissues of heart, kidney, thyroid, and other tissue organs were obtained, analyzed via energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). The elemental distribution of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), arsenic (As), and iron (Fe) was examined in both normal and amyloidogenic tissues using perpetual thin slices. In amyloidogenic tissues the levels of K, Ca, and Fe were found to be less than in corresponding normal tissues. Moreover, the presence of As was only observed in amyloidogenic samples; in a few cases in which there was an absence of As, amyloid samples were found to contain Fe. Analysis of arsenic in amyloid plaques has previously been difficult, often producing contradictory results. Using the present EDXRF facility we could distinguish between amyloidogenic and normal samples, with potential correlations in respect of the presence or concentration of specific elements.

Trace and Major Element Concentrations in Cadaveric Lung Tissues from World Trade Center Health Registry Decedents and Community Controls.

Studies of the health impacts of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City's (NYC's) World Trade Center (WTC) towers have been hindered by imprecise estimates of exposure. We sought to identify potential biomarkers of WTC exposure by measuring trace and major metal concentrations in lung tissues from WTC-exposed individuals and less exposed community controls. We also investigated associations of lung tissue metal concentrations with self-reported exposure and respiratory symptoms. The primary analyses contrasted post-mortem lung tissue concentrations obtained from autopsies in 2007-2011 of 76 WTC Health Registry (WTCHR) enrollees with those of 55 community controls. Community controls were frequency-matched to WTCHR decedents by age at death, calendar quarter of death, gender, race, ethnicity and education and resided at death in NYC zip codes less impacted by WTC dust and fumes. We found WTCHR decedents to have significantly higher iron (Fe) lung tissue concentrations than community controls. Secondary analyses among WTCHR decedents adjusted for sex and age showed the log(molybdenum (Mo)) concentration to be significantly associated with non-rescue/recovery exposure. Post hoc analyses suggested that individuals whose death certificates listed usual occupation or industry as the Sanitation or Police Departments had elevated lung tissue Fe concentrations. Among WTCHR decedents, exposure to the WTC dust cloud was significantly associated with elevated lung tissue concentrations of titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd) in non-parametric univariable analyses but not in multivariable analyses adjusted for age and smoking status. Logistic regression adjusted for age and smoking status among WTCHR decedents showed one or more respiratory symptoms to be positively associated with log (arsenic (As)), log(manganese (Mn)) and log(cobalt (Co)) concentrations, while new-onset wheezing and sinus problems were negatively associated with log(Fe) concentration. Fe concentrations among individuals with wheezing, nonetheless, exceeded those in community controls. In conclusion, these data suggest that further research may be warranted to explore the utility as biomarkers of WTC exposure of Fe in particular and, to a lesser extent, Mo, Ti, Cr and Cd in digestions of lung tissue.

Influence of Sex and Strain on Hepatic and Adipose Tissue Trace Element Concentrations and Gene Expression in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J High Fat Diet Models.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of sex and strain on the dysregulation of trace element concentration and associative gene expression due to diet induced obesity in adipose tissue and the liver. Male and female C57BL/6J (B6J) and DBA/2J (D2J) were randomly assigned to a normal-fat diet (NFD) containing 10% kcal fat/g or a mineral-matched high-fat diet (HFD) containing 60% kcal fat/g for 16 weeks. Liver and adipose tissue were assessed for copper, iron, manganese, and zinc concentrations and related changes in gene expression. Notable findings include three-way interactions of diet, sex, and strain amongst adipose tissue iron concentrations (p = 0.005), adipose hepcidin expression (p = 0.007), and hepatic iron regulatory protein (IRP) expression (p = 0.012). Cd11c to Cd163 ratio was increased in adipose tissue due to HFD amongst all biological groups except B6J females, for which tissue iron concentrations were reduced due to HFD (p = 0.002). Liver divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT-1) expression was increased due to HFD amongst B6J males (p &lt; 0.005) and females (p &lt; 0.004), which coincides with the reduction in hepatic iron concentrations found in these biological groups (p &lt; 0.001). Sex, strain, and diet affected trace element concentration, the expression of genes that regulate trace element homeostasis, and the expression of macrophages that contribute to tissue iron-handling in adipose tissue. These findings suggest that sex and strain may be key factors that influence the adaptive capacity of iron mismanagement in adipose tissue and its subsequent consequences, such as insulin resistance.

How to stay together? Habitat use by three sympatric sharks in the western coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Sharks are top predators and play an important role in the regulation of marine ecosystems at lower trophic position. Mustelus californicus, Sphyrna zygaena, and Isurus oxyrinchus prove to be important fishery resources along the western coast of Baja California Sur and cohabit the same coastal areas, probably sharing resources. However, our knowledge about ecological dynamics of multiple species coexisting and sharing similar habitat resources is still limited, particularly for predators such as sharks. Therefore, this study focuses on the analysis of trophic ecology of the sharks species, using carbon (13C) and nitrogen (15N) stable isotope values in muscle tissues coupled with trace element concentration (Hg, Se, and Cd) in muscle and hepatic tissues of sharks. The values of δ13C (M. californicus -17.3 ± 1.1‰, S. zygaena -17.9 ± 0.5‰, and I. oxyrinchus -18.3 ± 0.3‰) and δ15N (M. californicus 18.2 ± 1.1‰, S. zygaena 18.4 ± 0.9‰, and I. oxyrinchus 17.8 ± 1.1‰) indicated that these species feed in the Gulf of Ulloa all throughout the year, and for extended periods with similar habitat use and trophic niche. The above-mentioned statement is also a conclusion supported by the significant correlation between isotopic and trace element concentrations in the muscular tissues in all studied species. Thus, the results of the present study emphasize the habitat and niche characteristics of three sympatric sharks off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Differences between antioxidant defense parameters and specific trace element concentrations in healthy, benign, and malignant brain tissues

There are only a few reports examining the impact of oxidative stress in patients with benign and malignant brain tumors. In this study we investigated whether there are changes in antioxidant system (AOS) parameters and key trace elements between control, benign and malignant brain tissues. The study also aimed to examine correlations between the analyzed parameters. The study enrolled both types of brain tumors, benign tumors (BT) and malignant tumors (MT). The results were compared with control tissue (CT) without tumor infiltration collected from patients with BT. The following antioxidant parameters were determined: activities of total, manganese-containing, and copper/zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (TotSOD, MnSOD and CuZnSOD), activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase and acetylcholine esterase (AChE), the concentrations of glutathione and sulfhydryl groups and of manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se). BT and MT had altered activities/levels of multiple AOS parameters as compared to CT, indicating that tumor cells had an altered cell metabolism and changes in AOS represent adaptive response to increased oxidative stress. Low MnSOD and AChE and high GST activities were significant for distinguishing between MT and CT. Malignant tissue was also characterized by lower Mn and Cu concentrations relative to CT and BT. Principal Component Analysis clearly discriminated BT from CT and MT (PC1, 66.97%), while PC2 clearly discriminated CT from BT and MT (33.03%). Most correlative relationships were associated with Se in the BT group and Cu in the MT group. The results of this study reveal differences between the AOS parameters and the essential trace elements between the analyzed groups. The observed dysregulations show that oxidative stress could have an important role in disrupting brain homeostasis and its presence in the pathogenesis of benign and malignant brain tumors.

Association between trace element concentrations in cancerous and non-cancerous tissues with the risk of gastrointestinal cancers in Eastern Iran

This study was conducted to investigate the association between trace elements including cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As) in gastrointestinal cancer tissue and non-cancerous tissue (suspected gastrointestinal cancer) in Eastern Iran. The samples of 63 gastrointestinal cancers (stomach (n = 20), esophageal (n = 19), and colorectal (n = 24) along with 63 controls in South Khorasan Province, Iran, were collected and analyzed using ICP-MS (Agilent 7900). Our results indicated that the concentrations of Co (1.3 ± 0.8, 1.3 ± 0.8 μg kg-1), Cr (8.1 ± 7.3, 11.0 ± 14.8 μg kg-1), Ni (29.0 ± 20.1, 39.5 ± 30.2 μg kg-1), Pb (6.9 ± 4.0, 6.1 ± 4.6 μg kg-1), and Zn (867.6 ± 159.1, 935.6 ± 196.2 μg kg-1) were significantly higher among esophagus and colon cancer cases than controls (p < 0.05). Similarly, stomach cancer cases showed higher Co, Cr, Ni, Se, and Zn and lower Cu concentrations than their controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, the Spearman correlation between metals revealed a mostly low to moderate correlation between metals. Our finding illustrated that the significant risk differences of Cr, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn metals on esophagus cancer when considered the single predictor unadjusted for other metals and covariates RD (95% CI) - Cr: -0.274 (-0.463, -0.086), Ni: -0.288 (-0.457, -0.118), Pb: -0.171 (-0.463, -0.086), Se: -0.243 (-0.434, -0.051), and Zn: -0.094 (-0.143, -0.045) respectively. This study suggests that the trace element's exposure may be associated with gastrointestinal cancer risk. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying trace element carcinogenesis further.

Trace elements concentration in adipose tissue and the risk of incident type 2 diabetes in a prospective adult cohort

The aim of this work was to study the associations of adipose tissue trace element concentrations with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) incidence over a 16-year follow-up period in an adult cohort from Southern Spain. 16-year T2DM incidence was gathered from hospital records. Chemical analyses of Cr, V, Zn, Fe, Cu and Se in adipose tissue were performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multivariable Cox-regression models were used. Complementary cross-sectional analyses with markers of glucose homeostasis at recruitment were performed by multivariable linear regression. Out of 214 participants, 39 developed T2DM during the follow-up. Adipose tissue concentrations of Fe (HR = 1.97, 95% CI: 0.99 to 2.58, p = 0.057), Cr (HR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.07–2.33, p = 0.022) and Cu (HR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.01–2.58, p = 0.046) were individually associated with T2DM incidence. When Fe, Cr and Cu were simultaneously entered in a model, only Cr was significantly associated with T2DM incidence (HR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.02–2.76, p = 0.041). Furthermore, adipose tissue V (β = 0.283, p = 0.004) and Zn (β = 0.217, p = 0.028) concentrations were positively associated with β-pancreatic cell function (HOMA-β), while Se showed an inverse association (β = −0.049, p = 0.027). Although further research is warranted on the potential mechanisms of action, our results suggest that adipose tissue concentrations of certain trace elements (particularly Fe, Cr and Cu) are associated with the risk of incident T2DM, while V and Zn might have a protective effect. These biomarkers might complement prediction algorithms and contribute to identify patients with an increased risk of T2DM.

Toxic and essential trace element concentrations in different tissues of extensively reared sheep in northern Spain

Monitoring toxic and trace element concentrations in livestock, particularly in extensive farming systems, is important for obtaining information about the nutritional status of the animals as well as about nutritional value of the meat and the contents of potentially toxic element residues in the meat products. In this study, samples of liver, kidney and muscle (n = 253) were collected at slaughter from sheep reared in the Province of León (northern Spain), and the concentrations of the main toxic elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury) and trace elements (cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium and zinc) were determined by ICP-MS. Overall, the concentrations of the toxic elements were within the ranges determined in other recent monitoring studies in sheep worldwide. They also reflected a similar background level of contamination to that observed for other livestock species reared in extensive production systems in the region. With the exception of cadmium in offal, toxic element residues were below the maximum limits established by the EU and thus do not pose any risk for human consumption. As in many other studies, the maximum levels established for cadmium (1 and 0.5 mg/kg wet weight for kidney and liver respectively) were exceeded in a high proportion of the kidney samples (24.0 %) and in a lower proportion of the liver samples (4.1 %) from adult animals. Essential trace elements concentrations were generally within the adequate–safe range established for sheep and were consistent with recently reported values. The only exception was copper, with concentrations indicating copper disorders in many of the liver samples (8.0 % indicating deficiency and 29.0 % toxicity). The concentrations of copper and its antagonists (molybdenum, iron and zinc) should therefore be carefully regulated in sheep flocks in northern Spain.

Effects of Formalin Fixation on Trace Element Concentrations in Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Tissues.

Odontocetes are considered ideal sentinel species to monitor environmental trace element concentrations. Although frozen tissues are preferable for trace element analysis, formalin-fixed tissues are often the only samples available; however, it is uncertain whether formalin fixation alters tissue trace element concentrations. To explore whether formalin-fixed tissues could be utilized for toxicology studies, concentrations of 14 trace elements (arsenic [As], cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, manganese, nickel, lead, selenium, tin, vanadium, and zinc [Zn]) were measured in frozen and formalin-fixed bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) tissues following short-term (6 wk; tissues: blubber, liver, and lung) and long-term preservation (3-7 yr; tissues: blubber, brain, kidney, liver, lung, and skin) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Following both short-term and long-term preservation, there were significant differences in tissue trace element concentrations between preservation methods. Some trace elements were found in greater concentrations in frozen tissues compared with formalin-fixed tissues, suggesting leaching (e.g., mean As concentrations were between 1.4 and 7.6 times greater in frozen tissues). In contrast, other trace elements were found in greater concentrations in formalin-fixed tissues compared with frozen tissues, suggesting contamination (e.g., mean Zn concentrations were up to 8.7 times higher in some formalin-fixed tissues). Our results suggest that it may be possible to account for the effects of formalin fixation for some trace elements, but leaching and contamination should be carefully considered. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1149-1164. © 2020 SETAC.

The Effect of the Trace Elements Concentrations on the Cancerous and Healthy Tissues in Radiotherapy

The study is aimed to investigate the effect of the trace element concentrations in healthy and cancerous prostate tissues on dose distributions in radiotherapy. In this work, the trace element compounds completely soluble in the water were used and their concentrations given in the literature were mixed homogeneously with pure water. This is the first time study in literature as far as we know. The percent depth dose (PDD) measurements were performed using Elekta Synergy Platform Linac device for 6 and 18 MV photon energies. We also obtained the PDDs results by choosing higher trace element concentrations than given in literature in cancerous prostate tissue to see the effect on radiotherapy. The experimental measurements were compared with the results obtained from the GATE simulation code. The TPR20/10 was calculated for 10 × 10 cm2 field size at 6/18 MV energies photons and compared with simulation results. The differences between simulation and measurement for 6 MV and 18 MV photons are 1.75% and 1.82% respectively. The experimental results and simulations were presented an uncertainty lower than 3%. Simulated dose values are in good agreement with less than 2% differences with the experimental results. We see that the trace element concentrations of healthy and cancerous tissues did not affect the dose distribution at high-energy photons. This is expected and well known result. We believe that this in vitro study is important for proving the reliability of the dose given in radiotherapy treatment once again.

The effect of surgical specimen-derived phosphorus and lead concentrations in non small cell lung cancer patients on disease course.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. There are many exogenic and endogenic factors associated with the development of lung cancer. One of these factors is trace elements. Under- or overabundance of trace elements can disrupt cellular functions and lead to the formation of cancer. In this study we conducted elemental analysis of lung cancer tissue and normal lung tissue to investigate the role of tissue trace element concentrations in lung cancer. Elemental analysis was performed on 30 lung cancer tissue samples and a control group of 15 normal lung tissue samples, all taken from patients diagnosed, treated and followed at our hospital between 2005 and 2010. The solubilized tissue samples were analyzed for the presence of 19 elements using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Total element amounts in the tissue were calculated. Concentrations of magnesium, potassium, zinc, manganese, lead, boron, chromium and phosphorus were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group. Deceased patients had significantly lower phosphorus concentrations and significantly higher lead concentrations than the other patients. Elevated levels of magnesium, potassium, zinc, manganese, lead, boron, chromium and phosphorus in lung cancer tissue indicate that these elements may play a role in the development of lung cancer. The results of our evaluation of the association between trace elements and lung cancer suggest that, together with other factors, low phosphorus concentration and high lead concentration in tumor tissue may influence disease course.

Habitat use strategy influences the tissue signature of trace elements including rare earth elements in an urban-adapted omnivorous bird

Concentrations of trace elements vary naturally between geological environments and as a result of emissions from anthropogenic activities. Habitat use strategy is an important determinant of trace element concentrations in tissues and eggs of wild birds. However, a scarcity of studies have documented the relationships between individual bird movements related to foraging activities and exposure to contaminants including trace elements. The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of habitat use strategy, determined using GPS-based telemetry, on the liver concentrations of selected trace elements including rare earth elements (REEs) as well as lead (Pb) isotope ratios in an urban-adapted omnivorous bird, the ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis). Male (n = 20) and female (n = 18) ring-billed gulls breeding near Montreal (QC, Canada) in one of the largest colony in North America were tracked using miniature GPS devices to characterize their movements over a 10-days period. The time spent foraging by both male and female gulls in landfills and wastewater basins positively correlated with liver Pb concentrations. A positive correlation was also found between the time spent foraging in agricultural fields and liver concentrations of yttrium (Y) in male and female ring-billed gulls. Heavy REE concentrations were significantly greater in female gull liver relative to those of males, although this was not associated with the time spent in any foraging habitats. Pb isotope ratios (208Pb/206Pb and 206Pb/207Pb) in the liver of male ring-billed gulls tended to be lower in individuals that foraged in landfills, thus indicating that they may have been exposed to different Pb sources relative to birds that visited other sites. This study provided valuable information on the potential sources of trace elements at the landscape level in free-ranging birds spanning urbanized environments.

Changes in Liver Tissue Trace Element Concentrations During Hepatitis B Viral Infection Treatment.

Approximately 350-400 million people in the world have Hbs Ag (hepatitis B virus surface antigen) positivity. In the international guidelines, the permanent suppression of replication in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection therapy is reported as the primary therapeutic goal. Trace elements play a key role in liver diseases. The aim of our study is to determine some trace element concentrations in the liver during HBV treatment periods. The measurement of 11 trace elements (manganese, lead, nickel, chromium, cadmium, iron, copper, zinc, silver, cobalt, and aluminum) was carried out by the method of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in liver biopsy materials (before starting treatment and at the sixth month of the treatment period). There was an increase in zinc and copper concentrations in liver materials at the sixth month of treatment compared to the pre-treatment values (the median zinc value was 48.05μg/g before treatment and 74.9μg/g at 6months after initial treatment, p = 0.035; median copper was 2.82μg/g before treatment and 5.31μg/g after 6months, p = 0.002). General estimations indicated that zinc (p = 0.002), iron (p = 0.0244), copper (p = 0.0003), and aluminum (p = 0.0239) values may be effective in HAI (histological activity index) changes. Only iron levels could be at a very low level effective on the changes caused by fibrosis (p = 0.0002). Liver tissue zinc and copper levels increased in parallel with the improvement of inflammation in antiviral-treated HBV patients. In addition, the levels of zinc and copper in the liver tissue can be useful markers for liver tissue damage detection.

Liver tissue trace element levels in HepB patients and the relationship of these elements with histological injury in the liver and with clinical parameters

AimIn this study, the relationship of liver tissue trace element concentrations with hepatitis B disease and the effects of several environmental factors were analysed. MethodThe liver tissue concentrations of Al, Fe, Cd, Mn, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, Ag, and Co were evaluated in 92 patients with hepatitis B using the Inductively Coupled Plasma − Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS) method in the analyses. The patients were divided into the following two groups: low-high Ishak histologic activity index (HAI) (0–6: Low Histologic Activity, 7–18: High Histologic Activity) and low-high fibrosis (FS) (Fibrosis 1,1,2 and Fibrosis 3,4,5,6). The metal levels were compared between the groups. ResultsThe Cd concentration was found to be statistically higher in the group with low HAI scores (p=0.019). The hepatic Cu concentration was found to be higher in women than in men (p=0.046). The hepatic Fe concentration was found to be higher in the group with increased FS compared to the group with decreased FS (p=0.033). Cd was found to be higher in patients who worked in positions involving exposure to heavy metals and in individuals with an ALT level above 40 IU/L (p=0.008). Several correlations have been found between the hepatic tissue metal levels in our study. In a linear regression analysis, Fe and Zn were found to be correlated with the fibrosis scores (p=<0.001 and p=0.029), and Cu was correlated with HAI (p=0.023). In the linear regression model, Ni (p=0.018) and Cr (p=0.011) were correlated with gender. There was a correlation between the hepatic Fe level and the location where hepatitis B patients were living (village/city) (p=0.001), frequency of fish consumption (p=0.045) and smoking (p=0.018) according to the linear regression analysis. Using a logistic regression analysis, Cr (p=0.029), Ni (p=0.031) and Pb (p=0.027) were found to be correlated with smoking habit, and Zn (p=0.010), Ag (p=0.026), Cd (p=0.007) and Al (p=0.005) were correlated with fish consumption. ConclusionThe liver tissue trace element levels are correlated with disease activity and histologic damage in patients with HepB disease. Additionally, smoking, the environment in which the patient works and the amount of fish consumption affect the accumulation of trace elements in the liver.

Enhanced trace element concentrations in tissues of the clam &lt;em&gt;Ruditapes decussatus&lt;/em&gt; transplanted to areas influenced by human activities (Ria Formosa, Portugal)

To examine the extent to which human activities near the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon influence the accumulation of trace elements (TE) in Ruditapes decussatus, individuals were transplanted from a natural bank located in the lower lagoon to three sites located in clam growth grounds under the influence of a small city (Faro), a fish farming centre (Olhão) and a site near the lagoon inlet (Lavajo). Concentrations were determined in substrate of the clam grounds and in the digestive gland, gills, mantle plus siphons, and remaining tissues of clams in four periods of the year. These measurements were accomplished with the monthly survey of the gametogenic stages, condition index, proteins, glycogen, total lipids, pH and osmolarity of hemolymph. Arsenic, Cu, Mn, V, Cr and Pb were preferentially linked to the digestive gland, while Cd was linked to the gills. TE concentrations in the digestive gland and remaining tissues were higher in winter, most likely reflecting additional inputs associated with rain. The lack of disruptions in biological parameters and the prolonged period of spawning and gonad recovery in clams suggest that the current TE availability in the lagoon has a minor influence on the reproductive cycle and hence on clam production.

Trace elements in two wetland plants (Maytenus phyllanthoides and Salicornia subterminalis) and sediment in a semiarid area influenced by gold mining

Trace element (TE) concentrations were determined in sediments and plants collected from an evaporite basin near the mining district of El Triunfo, Baja California Sur. The elements were measured using ICP-MS. The TE concentrations in arroyo banks and beach sediments are close to background levels. According to the criteria of toxicity (ERL and ERM), the evaporite basin sediments may cause harmful effects on marine biota due to high average concentrations of As (233 mg kg−1), Cd (10.5 mg kg−1), Pb (970 mg kg−1) and Zn (598 mg kg−1). In general, the TE concentrations in tissues of M. phylanthoides and Salicornia subterminalis, are less than sediment concentrations and follow the pattern: Zn>Cu>Cd>Pb>As>Sb. The average bioconcentration factor (BCF) values for almost all elements are very low (<1), except for Cu and Zn in root of S. subterminalis (BCF >1). The translocation factor (TF) values were <1 except for Cd in S. subterminalis.

Arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, molybdenum, selenium and zinc concentrations in liver, kidney and muscle in Australian sheep

Matched muscle, liver and kidney samples from 152 sheep in different states of Australia were analysed for trace elements. Mean levels found in muscle, livers and kidneys were 0.010, 0.010 and 0.011mgkg−1 (fresh weight) for arsenic; 0.0035, 0.280 and 0.853mgkg−1 for cadmium; 0.006, 0.060 and 0.044mgkg−1 for cobalt; 0.74, 66.0 and 2.72mgkg−1 for copper; 0.007, 0.040 and 0.057mgkg−1 for lead; 0.0025, 0.0034 and 0.0061mgkg−1 for mercury; 0.014, 1.05 and 0.44mgkg−1 for molybdenum; 0.09, 0.31 and 0.95mgkg−1 for selenium; and 40.4, 37.2 and 20.8mgkg−1 for zinc. The lead, mercury and arsenic concentrations in meat and organs may be regarded as low, but the concentrations of cadmium in kidney and livers are sometimes relatively high. Apart from cadmium, lead and selenium, tissue trace element concentrations were not related to the age of the investigated animals. Differences in essential and non-essential trace element accumulation in sheep reared in different regions (states and territories) of Australia were also evaluated. Cadmium, lead and selenium were the only elements that appeared to show significant regional differences. Overall the results show that concentrations of the elements considered are within current acceptable ranges.