Essential Trace Elements Prevent the Impairment in the Retention Memory, Cerebral Cortex, and Cerebellum Damage in Male Rats Exposed to Quaternary Metal Mixture by Up-regulation, of Heme Oxygynase-1 and Down-regulation of Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related Factor 2-NOs Signaling Pathways.

In the present study, we examined adverse effects of metals and metalloids in the Cerebral cortex (CC) and Cerebellum (CE). Group 1 comprised from the controls while other four groups of male Wistar rats were treated with following pattern: Group II (Heavy Metal Mixture HMM only: PbCl2, 20 mg·kg-1; CdCl2, 1.61 mg·kg-1; HgCl2, 0.40 mg·kg-1, and NaAsO3,10 mg·kg-1), Groups III (HMM + ZnCl2); Group IV (HMM + Na2SeO3) and Group V (HMM + ZnCl2 + Na2SeO3) for 60 days per os. HMM promoted oxidative stress in the CC and CE of treated rats compared to controls; moreover, exposure to HMM led to increased activity of the AChE and pro-inflammatory cytokines; also, HMM promoted accumulation of caspase 3 and other transcriptional factors such as Nrf2 and decreased levels of Hmox-1. Essential metals reduced increased bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd, As and Hg in CC and CE caused by HMM exposure. Also, all mentioned adverse effects were diminished by essential metals treatment (Se and Zn). HMM exposed rats had considerably less escape dormancy than controls. Histopathological analysis revealed moderate cell loss at the intermediate (Purkinje cell) and granular layer. Zinc and selenium supplementations could reverse adverse effects of heavy metals at various cellular levels in neurons.

Human biomonitoring to evaluate exposure to toxic and essential trace elements during pregnancy. Part B: Predictors of exposure.

Maternal exposure to toxic and essential trace elements represents a surrogate of exposure to the unborn child. Variables of exposure as sociodemographic, lifestyles and diet may contribute to different exposure of pregnant women to specific trace elements. Blood, urine and cord blood samples of 53 pregnant women of the HEALS-EXHES cohort, recruited in Reus (Catalonia, Spain) between 2016 and 2017, were analysed for the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn. Univariate and multivariate models were built in order to assess associations between element concentrations in each matrix, and variables obtained by questionnaires on mothers' characteristics and dietary habits. Results showed several significant associations between various variables and essential trace and toxic elements. Age was associated with higher levels of Cd and Pb in cord blood samples. Multiparous women showed lower levels of Cd in maternal blood and Pb in both maternal and cord blood than nulliparous women. Hispanic mothers presented higher levels of blood As and lower levels of blood Se compared to mothers of different ethnicity. Higher education level was associated with higher As and Hg concentrations in both maternal and cord blood samples. Higher annual income diminished the level of Pb in maternal blood. Smoking in pregnancy incremented the levels of Cd in mothers' blood. Alcohol consumption may affect the absorption of Cu, Mn and Zn. Supplementations with multivitamins, folic acid and iron showed effects on elements as Cr, Mn, Se and Zn. Regarding food group intake, bluefish incremented Pb levels, while canned fish and seafood affected levels of some elements as As, Hg, Cu and Se. Other elements such as Mn and Pb were influenced by the intake of different kinds of foods. The present results showed that some modifiable lifestyles and food intakes could be the target of interventions to help pregnant women to maintain suitable concentrations of essential elements and lower levels of toxic ones, and to improve consequently neonatal health outcomes.

Trace Elements and Paraoxonase-1 Activity in Lower Extremity Artery Disease.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are candidate mechanisms to explain the potential role of exposure to metals and reduced activity of paraoxonase-1 (PON1) in age-related diseases. Both may be risk factors contributing to atherosclerosis. In the present study, inductively coupled mass spectrometry was used to explore multiple trace elements, while in-house methods were employed to measure PON1-related variables in patients with lower extremity artery disease (LEAD). Healthy controls were matched for sex, age, body weight, and relevant genotype variants. Serum concentrations of As, Ba, Cu, and Sr were higher in patients than those in controls, with a strong predictive ability to discriminate between groups. Differences in serum Pb, Cd, and Zn were negligible. Serum Cu increased when the disease was more severe, but a negative trend was noted for serum As, B, Ba, and Zn. The only variable associated with ankle-brachial index was serum Zn. Serum PON1 activity was significantly lower in LEAD patients. When the ability of serum trace elements to modulate PON1 activity was explored, the analysis revealed a unique association with serum Zn. The current results strongly suggest that Zn may have a protective effect in non-coronary atherosclerosis and indicate that this element may exert its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions through interactions with PON1 activity. These findings deserve confirmation and further research. In particular, the periodic evaluation of serum trace elements and the prescription of Zn supplements are easy measures to implement and that can improve the treatment of patients with LEAD.