Heavy metals in human hair samples from Austria and Italy: influence of sex and smoking habits.

Hair samples from 79 young healthy adults from Vienna (Austria) and Rome (Italy) were analyzed for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb by ICP-MS. No differences were found between the two locations except for chromium, which was significantly higher in the Viennese population (P < 0.001). In both cities male hair contained higher arsenic (P < 0.001) and lower cadmium (P < 0.05) levels than female hair, and in Vienna lead concentrations were lower in males (P < 0.05). Striking differences appeared when smokers were compared with non-smokers. Geometric means (micrograms/g) of smokers versus non-smokers were: arsenic 0.081 vs. 0.065, cadmium 0.075 vs. 0.038 (P < 0.05), cobalt 0.025 vs. 0.010 (P < 0.05), chromium 0.84 vs. 0.72 (P < 0.05), lead 3.42 vs. 1.47 (P < 0.001) and nickel 0.64 vs. 0.32 (P < 0.005). Consideration of a large number of biological and behavioural factors minimizes bias inherent in unmatched sample composition.

Milk consumption, smoking and lead concentration in human hair.

Trace elements in hair samples were examined in 79 medical and sports students in Vienna and 77 biology students in Rome (ages 19-31 years). Lead concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The effect of smoking on lead levels is confirmed. Those who consume milk and dairy products daily show a lower lead concentration than those who consume them occasionally, both overall and in smokers and non-smokers. The effects of milk consumption and smoking appear to be independent. It seems that smokers may not enjoy the protective effect of milk consumption to the same extent as non smokers.

Galactorrhea during treatment with trimipramine. A case report.

Trimipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, faced renewed attention in the last decade for its well-established antidepressant as well as its sleep-promoting properties. While the antidepressant mode of action of trimipramine is still unclear, its antihistaminic and anticholinergic potency is far better known, leading to side effects such as somnolence or dry mouth. Elevated prolactin serum levels, caused by antidopaminergic action, have been repeatedly observed. However, to our knowledge no case of galactorrhea while under treatment with trimipramine had been previously reported. A 31-year-old female inpatient, admitted to our hospital after an attempted suicide, was treated initially with paroxetine 20 mg/d. Because of persisting insomnia, after 5 weeks we gave a supplementary medication, trimipramine, with a successive increase in dose up to 150 mg/d. After another 9 weeks the patient reported a strong tension in both breasts together with galactorrhea. The prolactin serum level was 21.8 ng/ml. After reduction of the trimipramine dose to 50 mg/d, the symptoms disappeared within a few days. We discuss our case with special regard to the combination of trimipramine with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This commonly used comedication could have led to an aggravation of the problem because (1) most SSRIs stimulate prolactin secretion and (2) trimipramine is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 2D6, which in turn is inhibited by all SSRIs, thus potentially leading to elevated trimipramine plasma levels. The problem can probably be kept to a minimum by giving lower doses of trimipramine (up to 50 mg/d) if co-administered with an SSRI.

[Reconstruction of the nutritional behavior based on trace elements in human skeletal remains. A critical overview]. / Rekonstruktion des Nahrungsverhaltens anhand von Spurenelementen in menschlichen Skelettresten. Ein kritischer Uberblick.

Trace element analysis of human skeletal remains is an important tool in paleonutritional studies, providing unique information on 1) diachronic shifts and synchronous dietary differentiations within populations, as well as 2) paleodemographic variables, particularly the age of weaning. However, the initial expectations have not been fully met, the last 15 years' continued research has rather been characterized by a growing awareness of basic intricacies of the method. Firstly, postmortem changes in bone chemistry may lead to misinterpretations. Moreover, the theoretical basis for these interpretations is not as solid as it should to warrant unequivocal results. The main features of these diagenetic and interpretative problems are discussed in the present paper, followed by an evaluation of the potential applications of the technique.

Heavy metal concentration in hair of students in Rome.

The levels of five heavy metals (As, Cr, Co, Ni, Pb) in scalp hair were measured in 20 male and 20 female biology students of Rome. Female levels were generally higher except for arsenic and chromium. Sex and smoking resulted most important for heavy metal concentration in hair. Thus smokers show significantly higher levels of lead and slightly increased levels of cadmium, cobalt and nickel.