Cadmium in Selected Organs of Game Animals from Areas with Different Degrees of Industrialisation and Its Intake by Human Consumers.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of cadmium (Cd) in the organs of game animals from areas with different degrees of industrialisation and to assess its intake following the consumption of the livers of these animals. The material for this study consisted of liver and kidney samples taken from roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), and wild boar (Sus scrofa) from five regions differing in land use and industrialisation. Compared to the kidneys, the liver was an indicator of the current state of the environment and Cd intake, while the kidney was used to assess the long-term accumulation of Cd in the body. The cadmium concentration in the samples was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The cadmium concentrations of the organs were found to vary according to geographical location, with the highest levels being observed in Southern Poland, i.e., areas characterised by the highest degree of industrialisation and the presence of heavy industry. However, high Cd concentrations were also reported in the northeastern region. Examples of excessive cadmium levels in the kidneys were noted in all tested regions. Cd intake by humans was evaluated by calculating the estimated daily cadmium intake, and this was compared with the tolerable weekly intake (TWI). The TWI was only exceeded by children frequently consuming wild boar liver from the southwest region.

Selenium as a Factor Moderating Depression and Obesity in Middle-Aged Women.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of serum selenium on PPAR-γ and the selected proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α) in relation to depressive symptoms and obesity in middle-aged women. The research procedure was as follows: a survey was performed using the authors' questionnaire and the BDI, anthropometric measurements, and the analysis of blood for the levels of selenium, cytokines, and genetic analysis of the PPAR-γ polymorphism (n = 443). It was found that the BMI increased along with the concentration of IL-6. No moderating effect of selenium was observed, although the cut-off values for "p" were established for IL-ß*Se (p = 0.068) and IL-6*Se (p = 0.068), so there was a potential association with these two markers. At high selenium levels, the effect of higher IL-ß levels on a decrease in BMI was stronger, as was the effect of an increase in IL-6 levels on an increase in BMI. No effect of selenium on PPAR-γ was found in relation to depressive symptoms and obesity. Higher selenium levels may have a beneficial effect on BMI even at high IL-ß concentrations, however, at high IL-6 concentrations, this effect was not observed. Selenium levels had no impact on depressive symptoms.

Relationships Between Indicators of Metabolic Disorders and Selected Concentrations of Bioelements and Lead in Serum and Bone Tissue in Aging Men.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between serum and bone concentrations of selected bioelements, ie, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chrome (Cr), magnesium (Mg), and selenium (Se), and a heavy metal, ie, lead (Pb), and the selected indicators of metabolic disorders - Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP) and Body Mass Index (BMI). Material and Methods: The study comprised 151 men aged 60 to 75 years who were scheduled for hip replacement surgery due to osteoarthritis. The concentrations of elements in the serum and bone tissue were measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (Mg, Zn, Cu, Cr, Fe, and Pb) and the spectrofluorometric method (Se). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), high-density cholesterol (HDL-Ch), and triacylglycerols (TAG) were determined. Lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were calculated. Results: There was no relationship between serum and bone concentrations of bioelements and lead and the BMI index. Bone Mg was significantly higher in men with higher VAI, but no such relation was observed in the serum. Similarly, bone Mg and Zn were higher in patients with higher LAP, which was not observed in the serum. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age was performed. There was a correlation between serum Zn concentration and the cut-off point for VAI. The cut-off point for LAP was related to the bone tissue concentrations of Mg, Zn, and Cu. Conclusion: We found some relationships between the concentrations of selected bioelements and Pb and VAI, LAP, and BMI in bone but not in the serum. VAI positively correlated with bone Mg, while LAP positively correlated with bone Cu, Zn, and Mg.

Concentrations of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) in afterbirth and their relations with various factors.

The aim of the study was to evaluate Hg and Se concentrations and Se:Hg molar ratios in the placenta, umbilical cord and fetal membranes, and to examine the relationship between the concentrations of the elements and selected factors. The study material consisted of the placenta, umbilical cord and fetal membranes obtained from 91 healthy women from northwestern and central Poland. In our study mean Hg and Se concentrations in afterbirth were ~ 0.01 mg/kg dry weight (dw) and ≤ 0.5 mg/kg dw, respectively. Correlation analysis showed negative relationships between placenta weight and Se concentration in the placenta and umbilical cord, as well as between placenta length and Se levels in the umbilical cord. We found negative correlations between THg concentration in the placenta and birth weight and between Se concentration in the placenta and umbilical cord and the morphological parameters of the placenta. Furthermore, we noted new types of interactions in specific parts of the afterbirth. In our study, Se:THg molar ratios ranged from 5 to 626; these values indicate protection against Hg toxicity.

Effects of biological factors and health condition on mercury and selenium concentrations in the cartilage, meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament.

Due the long-term nature of joint tissue remodeling processes, knee structures including meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can be a model for studying the bioaccumulation of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se). The accumulation and retention of Hg in human tissues can have a negative effect on the proper functioning of homeostasis-affecting organisms. A factor of chronic poisoning with Hg forms is probably the Se:Hg ratio in tissues. Se:Hg molar ratios below one may increase Hg toxicity potentials, while molar ratios that approach or exceed one effectively may protect against Hg toxicity. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine total mercury (THg), Se, and Se:THg molar ratios in the cartilage, meniscus and ACL of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) from northwestern Poland. In all studied samples (n=95), we observed higher Se than THg concentration. Taking into consideration the biological factors, we found significantly higher THg levels in the cartilage of women, patients under 65 years of age, patients without hypertension and in the ACL of patients with spinal degenerative disease. We found higher Se levels in the meniscus in women than in men. In all studied parts of the knee joint, we found the Se:THg molar ratio higher than one, which suggests that the joint forming structures are not much exposed to THg. Moreover the results reported here may provide a basis for establishing reference values for the meniscus and ACL in patients with OA who had undergone knee replacement surgery.

The Effect of Risk Factors on the Levels of Chemical Elements in the Tibial Plateau of Patients with Osteoarthritis following Knee Surgery.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the aforementioned chemical elements in tibial plateau samples obtained during knee arthroplasty. The gender-specific analysis of chemical element levels in the bone samples revealed that there were statistically significant differences in the concentration of Pb and Se/Pb ratio. The contents of elements in the tibial plateau in the patients with osteoarthritis (OA) can be arranged in the following descending order: F(-) > K > Zn > Fe > Sr > Pb > Mn > Se > Cd > THg. We observed statistical significant effects of environmental factors including smoking, seafood diet, and geographical distribution on the levels of the elements in tibial bone. Significant positive correlation coefficients were found for the relationships K-Cd, Zn-Sr, Zn-F(-), THg-Pb, Pb-Cd, Se-Se/Pb, Se-Se/Cd, Se/Pb-Se/Cd, Pb-Cd/Ca, Cd-Cd/Ca, and F(-)-F(-)/Ca·1000. Significant negative correlations were found for the relationships THg-Se/Pb, Pb-Se/Pb, Cd-Se/Pb, K-Se/Cd, Pb-Se/Cd, Cd-Se/Cd, THg-Se/THg, Pb-Se/THg, Se-Pb/Cd, Zn-Cd/Ca, and Se/Cd-Cd/Ca. The results reported here may provide a basis for establishing reference values for the tibial plateau in patients with OA who had undergone knee replacement surgery. The concentrations of elements in the bone with OA were determined by age, presence of implants, smoking, fish and seafood diet, and sport activity.

Comparison of DDT and its metabolites concentrations in cow milk from agricultural and industrial areas.

The risk of pesticidal intoxication in humans is severe, especially because of the strongly negative impact on human health. The consequences of the exposure to these substances may include cancerogenesis or endocrine abnormalities resulting for example in decreased fertility. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the content of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites in cow milk from two regions of Poland, varying by level of industrialization. Samples were collected from agricultural (n = 25) and industrial (n = 25) areas, and the concentrations of DDT and its metabolites were evaluated by gas chromatography. Residues of DDT were detected in all the milk samples tested, mostly in the samples from the agricultural area, where a total DDT median concentration reached 0.336 µg L(-1). In the milk samples from the industrial area, the median concentration was lower, at 0.131 µg L(-1). 4,4'-DDT was the main metabolite, constituting 83% of total DDT metabolites. Although none of the samples exceeded the level above which they should be considered dangerous, the results showed that the problem of DDT had not diminished and so should be constantly monitored.

The effect of chitosan on the concentration of 17ß-estradiol and free triiodothyronine in mice exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

The aim of this work was to examine (i) how the applied PCB mixture influences the level of 17ß-estradiol (E2) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) in the blood plasma of mice (C57/BL/6J) and (ii) whether supplementation with chitosan would protect against the observed changes in the examined plasma hormone concentrations. In the study we used a mixture of indicator PCBs (CB no. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) and our results showed their anti-estrogenic effects. Exposure to the mixture resulted in a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in plasma concentration of E2 relative to the control, and chitosan administration did not prevent the decrease. To the contrary, E2 concentration in the blood plasma of the mice which received both the PCB mixture and chitosan was lower compared to those which did not receive chitosan. Exposure to the PCBs also resulted in a decrease in FT3 concentration in the treatedgroup, although it was not as pronounced as for E2 and was prevented with dietary supplementation with chitosan, with the observed FT3 level in the chitosan-treated group similar to the control. In summary, supplementation with chitosan can only to a certain extent minimize the negative effects of exposure to PCBs.

Lead, cadmium and other metals in serum of pet dogs from an urban area of NW Poland.

This study was designed to evaluate the degree of exposure of pet dogs from an urban area of NW Poland to selected metals, including toxic Cd and Pb. The study was conducted on a group of 48 healthy dogs. The serum concentration of the analysed elements followed the order Fe > Al > Zn > Cu > Mn > As > Sr > Pb > Cd > Cr > Ni > V. The presence of cadmium and lead was found in all the serum samples tested. The average contents of these elements were 0.309 and 0.489 µg/mL. The factors that played the greatest role in the intake of the analysed elements were diet and breed-dependent size of dogs. Small-sized dogs had higher concentrations of all elements compared with large dogs, with statistically significant differences noted for Cu, Pb, Cd and Sr. It was also found that dogs receiving commercial and mixed food had more metals in serum compared with dogs on homemade food (except strontium). The present study showed elevated concentrations of some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Fe and Cu) in serum of pet dogs, which is probably due to the excess elemental load of this area. Given that no information is available on the concentrations of strontium, vanadium and aluminium in dogs, further research is necessary to determine certain reference values which would allow for an easier interpretation of results and evaluation of exposure to these elements.