Understanding of metals dysregulation in patients with systolic and diastolic dysfunction in ischemic heart disease.

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of death and chronic disability in the world. IHD affects both the systolic and diastolic function of the heart which progressively leads to heart failure; a structural and functional impairment of filling or ejection of blood from the heart. In this study, the progression of systolic and diastolic dysfunction characterized according to their echocardiographic parameters including left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), grades of diastolic dysfunction and ratio between early mitral inflow velocity and mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/e'), were correlated with differential regulation of various metals in patients sera samples (n = 62) using inductive coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Chromium, nickel and selenium were found significant (p < 0.05) in patients having EF < 45% compared with EF > 45%. In patients with systolic dysfunction (EF < 45%), the level of selenium was decreased while the level of chromium and nickel was increased compared to patients with EF > 45%. Selenium level was also decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in grade 1A and 2 patients that are considered as higher grades of diastole dysfunction in comparison to grade 0-1. Overall, selenium deficiency was identified in both systolic and diastolic dysfunctions of IHD patients corresponding to the progression of disease that could be related to many metabolic and translational pathways specifically which involve selenoproteins.

Environmental exposure to metal mixtures and linear growth in healthy Ugandan children.

BACKGROUND: Stunting is an indicator of poor linear growth in children and is an important public health problem in many countries. Both nutritional deficits and toxic exposures can contribute to lower height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) and stunting (HAZ < -2). OBJECTIVES: In a community-based cross-sectional sample of 97 healthy children ages 6-59 months in Kampala, Uganda, we examined whether exposure to Pb, As, Cd, Se, or Zn were associated with HAZ individually or as a mixture. METHODS: Blood samples were analyzed for a mixture of metals, which represent both toxins and essential nutrients. The association between HAZ and metal exposure was tested using multivariable linear regression and Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression, which uses mixtures of correlated exposures as a predictor. RESULTS: There were 22 stunted children in the sample, mean HAZ was -0.74 (SD = 1.84). Linear regression showed that Pb (ß = -0.80, p = 0.021) and Se (ß = 1.92, p = 0.005) were significantly associated with HAZ. The WQS models separated toxic elements with a presumed negative effect on HAZ (Pb, As, Cd) from essential nutrients with presumed positive effect on HAZ (Se and Zn). The toxic mixture was significantly associated with lower HAZ (ß = -0.47, p = 0.03), with 62% of the effect from Pb. The nutrient WQS index did not reach statistical significance (ß = -0.47, p = 0.16). DISCUSSION: Higher blood lead and lower blood selenium level were both associated with lower HAZ. The significant associations by linear regression were reinforced by the WQS models, although not all associations reached statistical significance. These findings suggest that healthy children in this neighborhood of Kampala, Uganda, who have a high burden of toxic exposures, may experience detrimental health effects associated with these exposures in an environment where exposure sources are not well characterized.

Influence of a 6-month physical training program on serum and urinary concentrations of trace metals in middle distance elite runners.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this survey was to determine the effects of an aerobic physical training program of six months duration on the serum and urinary concentrations of essential trace elements among middle distance runners and untrained, non-sportsmen participants. METHODS: 24 well-trained, middle-distance (1500 and 5000 m), aerobic male runners (AG) were recruited at the beginning of their training season and 26 untrained males formed the control group (CG). All participants were from the same region of Spain, and all of them had been living in this area for at least two years. Serum and urine of samples of Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Selenium (Se), Vanadium (V) and Zinc (Zn) were obtained at the beginning of the training season, and six months later, from all participants. All samples were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: Two-way ANOVA showed significant differences relative to group effect in serum concentrations of Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Se and Zn. Attending to time effect, there were differences in Mn (p = 0.003) and Zn (p = 0.001). The group x time interaction revealed differences only in the case of Mn (p = 0.04). In urine, significant differences between group were obtained in Co, Cu, Mn, Se and V. Time effect showed changes in Co, Cy, Mo and Se. Finally, the group and time interaction revealed significant differences in urinary Cu (p = 0.001), Mn (p = 0.01) and Se (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A six-month aerobic training program for well-trained athletes induced modifications in the body values of several minerals, a fact which may reflect adaptive responses to physical exercise. The obtained data could be interesting for physicians or coaches in order to consider specific modifications in sportsmen's diets as well as to determine specific nutritional supplementation strategies.

Nutraceutical effect of vitamins and minerals on performance and immune and antioxidant systems in dairy calves during the nutritional transition period in summer.

We aimed to determine whether the use of injectable vitamins and minerals improves growth performance and immune and antioxidant responses in dairy calves during pre- and post-weaning period in summer. Twenty dairy calves (45 days of age) were randomized to two groups (10 each): control group (CON) and treated group [TREAT; injection providing 0.20, 0.80, 0.20, 0.10, 35 and 1 mg/kg of copper, zinc, manganese selenium, and vitamins A and E, during two periods (15 days pre- and 15 days post-weaning)]. The animals were weighed and blood samples were collected on days 1, 15, 30 and 45 of the study. Levels of serum copper, selenium, zinc, and manganese were measured on day 1; and the results showed that calves were not deficient in these minerals. The TREAT group had greater BW gain during the final third of the experiment. There was an increase in total leukocyte numbers as a result of elevation in neutrophil counts (day 45) and monocytes (days 30 and 45) in the TREAT group. This group also had lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) content (days 15, 30 and 45) and lipid peroxidation (LPO; days 15 and 45). Furthermore, the TREAT group had greater antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP; days 15 and 30), activities of the enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx; days 15, 30 and 45) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; day 15), concentrations of total serum proteins (day 30), serum globulin (days 15 and 30), ceruloplasmin (day 15), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1, (IL-1; days 30 and 45) and interferon gamma (IFNγ; day 45), compared to CON group. High respiratory rates during hot times of the day in all study calves was suggestive of heat stress. Taken together, the data suggest that mineral and vitamins injections increased the growth performance and boosted the antioxidant and immunological systems of dairy calves during the diet transition period in summer.

Metal and metalloid levels in blood of semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) from Brazil, Suriname, and Delaware Bay: Sentinels of exposure to themselves, their prey, and predators that eat them.

Identifying animals as sentinels for humans and other animal species is an excellent method for understanding exposure to environmental contamination at different times and places. Shorebirds are useful sentinels because they have a world-wide distribution, eat a range of prey, and are eaten by a range of other species, including humans. We collected blood from semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) wintering in northern (Suriname N = 71) and northeastern (Brazil N = 61) South America to examine levels of heavy metals and metalloids (arsenic, selenium), and compare them to blood levels in sandpipers at a heavily used stopover site in New Jersey (N = 30; Delaware Bay, NJ). Since blood represents relatively recent exposure, it can provide information on where and when the birds were exposed. Levels were highest in Brazil for arsenic and particularly selenium; highest in Suriname for cadmium and lead; and highest in New Jersey for chromium. Samples from Brazil and Suriname presented higher levels of mercury than did those from New Jersey. There were no geographic differences for cobalt. Levels of all metals were generally within an order of magnitude. The significant geographic difference for selenium was interesting because it is regulated in the body. Selenium levels in the NJ sample were directly proportional to levels found in their principle food at this migration stopover site (eggs of horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus). Mean selenium level was almost an order of magnitude higher in the semipalmated sandpiper blood samples from Brazil (mean of 27,500 µg/L= ppb) compared to the other sampling locations (mean > 5330 µg/L). This is a toxic level and cause for concern and further investigation, alerting us to look for other evidence of excess selenium exposure. Otherwise the levels of other metals are generally not high enough to cause harm to the sandpipers themselves or to predators that eat them. We discuss the implications for these birds and their exposure to contaminants at different stopover sites.

Comparative hepatoprotective effect of Nigella sativa pre- and post-treatment to rabbits.

Synthetic drugs are associated with adverse side-effects and rapid increase in resistance to most of them inspires to evaluate plants for their therapeutic values. We have been aimed to suggest the medicinal use of Nigella sativa seed aqueous extract to minimize the severity of liver damage via its antioxidant properties and its role in maintenance of cell ion-homeostasis. Annoyances in serum levels of some antioxidants and trace metals in human hepatitis C infected patients were compared with that from acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxic rabbits. Serum analysis of human patients and that of hepatotoxic rabbits have exhibited the same trend of incidence of liver marker enzymes, antioxidant levels, and trace metal concentrations, except for the serum levels of cobalt. Significance of pre-/ or post-treatment of Nigella sativa to acetaminophen induced-hepatotoxic rabbit has also evaluated. NS post-treatment to rabbits has been found effective in normalizing the levels (P<0.001) of serum liver markers; especially the ALP levels, and the antioxidants; with significant effect on the serum catalase levels. However, NS pre-treatment has shown its role (P<0.001) in maintaining the serum nickel and cobalt concentrations. Therefore, we suggest the use of Nigella sativa seeds as pre-/ or post-treatment therapy, and also as supplement to the normal medications of liver infection to normalize the status of cell antioxidants and trace metal concentrations.

Arsenic-induced inflammation in workers.

Occupational and environmental exposures to metal and metalloids can result in neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity. Selenium (Se) is essential for the proper functioning of neutrophils, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, T-lymphocytes and other immune mechanisms, while zinc (Zn) is a trace element essential for basic cell activities, including cell growth and differentiation. Arsenic (As) may lead to different types of immunosuppressive effects. This study consisted of 62 male workers, who had been exposed to arsenic for different durations and 73 non-exposed male workers (control group) with no history of occupational toxic metal exposure. Whole blood and serum samples were taken from each participant for immunological, toxicological and routine analysis during their annual periodical examination. Arsenic, selenium and zinc levels were determined by the ICP-MS and cytokines, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, sE-selectin and VCAM-1, were measured by ELISA. There were statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) between control and As-exposed group in As (1.37 ± 0.42 vs. 4.27 ± 1.54 µg/L) and Se levels (106.37 ± 48.04 vs. 74.70 ± 30.45 µg/L). The changing levels of As, Zn and Se seems to affect the severity of inflammatory reactions based on IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α levels (r = 0.755, r = 0.679 and r = 0.617, respectively, for all p < 0.01). Selenium was found to have a suppressive effect on cytokines, as evidenced by Pearson correlations and regression analysis. These findings support the need to closely monitor Se levels in individuals exposed to arsenic and benefits for Se supplementation in the case of arsenic exposure, occupationally or environmentally.

Associations of blood metal exposure with thyroid hormones in Chinese pregnant women: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Few epidemiological studies have investigated associations of exposure to multiple metals with thyroid hormone homeostasis, especially for the pregnant women. METHODS: Among all the 1644 participants enrolled in Hangzhou Birth Cohort Study (HBCS) at baseline, a total of 915 pregnant women with complete data of interest were analyzed. Eleven metals were measured in blood samples collected around 25 weeks gestation. Serum levels of thyroid hormones including free triiodothyronine (FT3), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free thyroxine (FT4), total thyroxine (TT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were abstracted from the medical records. Relationships between tertiles of metal levels (setting the lowest tertile as the reference) and percent changes in thyroid hormones were estimated by multivariable adjusted linear regression models. RESULTS: Five metals [arsenic (As), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb)] were significantly linked to decreased levels of one or more thyroid hormones based on trend tests in the single-metal models. Percent changes [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] in thyroid hormones for the third tertiles of metals remained significant between FT3 and As [-3.53% (-5.48%, -1.54%)]; and between TT3 and As [-4.19% (-7.00%, -1.31%)]; and between FT4 and Mn [-2.05% (-3.49%, -0.58%)], Sb [-1.99% (-3.44%, -0.52%)] in the multiple-metal models. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid hormone concentrations were reversely related to the levels of blood metals of As, Mn and Sb among Chinese pregnant women. Additional prospective studies are warranted to confirm the causality. Paper capsule: Exposure to multiple metals was reversely associated with one or more thyroid hormones in the Chinese pregnant women.

Determination of serum bone-related minerals during denosumab treatment in osteoporosis patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Mineral change by denosumab in osteoporosis with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: This study included 51 osteoporosis patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were treated with anti-resorption drug, denosumab. To date, there has been no report on the changes of bone-related minerals after anti-resorption drug therapy. METHODS: Fifty one osteoporotic patients with RA were retrospectively enrolled. Serum Zinc (Zn), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), and Copper (Cu) were examined at 1 week, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 months. Lumbar spine (L1-4) bone mineral density (L-BMD), and bilateral total hip BMD (H-BMD) were examined before and at 6 and 12 months after treatment commencement. RESULTS: Serum Fe gradually increased except at 4 and 10 months, and significantly increased at 12 months. Serum Mg slightly decreased at 1 week and 1 month, then increased up to 4 months, then gradually decreased to 8 months, then increased thereafter. Serum Zn significantly increased at every time point except at 1 week during the period. Serum Cu increased during the period but slightly decreased at 2, 8, and 12 months. L-BMD as well as H-BMD significantly increased at 12 months (5.1% and 5.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Denosumab might be a good option to improve bone-related minerals in OP patients with RA even without dietary supplement. Serum Fe and Mg values became approximately within normal range after the therapy. On the other hand, serum Zn significantly increased for 12 months, however, the Zn values showed still low status after the treatment. Thus, Zn supplementation and/or nutrition education are basically required for OP patients with RA, even though denosumab increases serum Zn level.

Metal- and redox homeostasis in prostate cancer with vitamin D3 supplementation.

Vitamin D3 supplementation has a beneficial effect on cancerous patients, although it can influence the redox- and metal homeostasis. The aim of our investigation was to demonstrate the effect of vitamin D3 consumption on the redox- and metal homeostasis in prostate cancer, because of the recommended daily dose increased from 200 IU to 2000 IU in recent years in Hungary. Forty-three volunteers were involved in the study. The grouping was applied according to the clinical routine laboratory parameters (vitamin D3) and the tumor markers (PSA, fPFA). Patients were divided into 5 groups: (A) patient control (N = 8), (B) patient control with vitamin D3 treatment (N = 9), (C) high-risk prostate cancer group (N = 6), (D) high-risk prostate cancer group with vitamin D3 treatment (N = 8) and (E) vitamin D3 treated cancerous group with androgen deprivation therapy (N = 11). The element concentrations were determined with ICP-OES. Among the redox parameters, free radical scavenging capacity and H-donating ability were determined with luminometry and spectrometry. Vitamin D3 treatment caused differences in the metal- and redox homeostasis in either patient control and cancerous groups. The concentration of Fe, Cr, and Pb significantly increased in the erythrocytes of prostate cancer patients. According to the higher scavenging capacity by vitamin D3 treatment, it seems that vitamin D3 helps to equilibrate the redox homeostasis that could affect the outcome of cancer positively. However, the tendency in the metal element status does not give a clear explanation of cancer's outcome, but the accumulation of Pb by vitamin D3 supplementation needs to be taken into more serious consideration in set terms of occupational diseases.

Plasma metals as potential biomarkers in dementia: a case-control study in patients with sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes the most prevalent form of age-related dementia but its pathogenesis remains obscure. Altered regulation of metals, particularly pan-cerebral copper deficiency, and more regionally-localized perturbation of other metals, are prominent in AD brain although data on how these CNS perturbations are reflected in the peripheral bloodstream are inconsistent to date. To assess the potential use of metal dysregulation to generate biomarkers in AD, we performed a case-control study of seven essential metals and selenium, measured by inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry, in samples from AD and matched control cases. Metals were sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper. In the whole study-group and in female participants, plasma metal levels did not differ between cases and controls. In males by contrast, there was moderate evidence that zinc levels trended towards increase in AD [10.8 (10.2-11.5)] µmol/L, mean (± 95% CI; P = 0.021) compared with controls [10.2 (9.6-10.4)]. Thus alterations in plasma zinc levels differed between genders in AD. In correlational analysis, there was evidence for an increased number of 'strong' metal co-regulations in AD cases and differential co-modulations of metal pairs: copper-sodium (Rcontrol = - 0.03, RAD = 0.65; P = 0.009), and copper-calcium (Rcontrol = - 0.01, RAD = 0.65; P = 0.01) were significant in AD males, potentially consistent with reported evidence for dysregulation of copper in severely damaged brain regions in AD. In conclusion, our data suggest that the measurement of metals co-regulation in plasma may provide a useful representation of those metal perturbations taking place in the AD brain and therefore might be useful as plasma-based biomarkers.

Quantitative assessment of metal dysregulation in ß-thalassemia patients in comparison with healthy controls by ICP-MS and chemometric analyses.

ß-Thalassemia is one of the most common inherited disorders and is widely distributed throughout the world. Owing to severe deficiencies in red blood cell production, blood transfusion is required to correct anemia for normal growth and development but causes additional complications owing to iron overload. The aim of this study is to quantify the biometal dysregulations in ß-thalassemia patients as compared with healthy controls. A total of 17 elements were analyzed in serum samples of ß-thalassemia patients and healthy controls using ICP-MS followed by chemometric analyses. Out of these analyzed elements, 14 showed a significant difference between healthy and disease groups at p < 0.05 and fold change >3. A PLS-DA model revealed an excellent separation with 89.8% sensitivity and 97.2% specificity and the overall accuracy of the model was 92.2%. This metallomic study revealed that there is major difference in metallomic profiling of ß-thalassemia patients specifically in Co, Mn, Ni, V and Ba, whereas the fold changes in Co, Mn, V and Ba were found to be greater than that in Fe, providing evidence that, in addition to Fe, other metals are also altered significantly and therefore chelation therapy for other metals may also needed in ß-thalassemia patients.

Toxic Metals Increase Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Levels, Modified by Essential Elements and Different Types of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Promoter Single-nucleotide Polymorphisms.

BACKGROUND: Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) could cause health issues through oxidative stress that is indicated in the elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). However, some of the essential elements-selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), and copper (Cu)-are cofactors or structural components of antioxidant enzymes. It is suggested that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TNF-α gene have different TNF-α responses. This study aims to evaluate the effect of serum TNF-α levels through the interactions between toxic metals and essential elements and how the interactions between the toxic metals and TNF-α SNPs (-1031 T > C, -863 C > A, -857 C > T, -308 G > A, -238 G > A) influence serum TNF-α levels. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 455 workers who carried out annual health examinations and multielements determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). TNF-α levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TNF-α promoter SNPs were analyzed by specific primer probes using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. RESULTS: Increasing blood Pb, Cd, and As levels were associated with elevated TNF-α levels. The interaction between Pb and Cu decreased TNF-α levels and so did the interaction between Cd and Se. In the interaction between Pb and SNPs, individuals with AA/AG (-308 G > A) and AA/AG (-238 G > A) had higher serum TNF-α levels. However, lower TNF-α levels were noted in those individuals with AA/CA (-863 C > A). In the interaction between As and SNPs, workers with AA/AG (-238 G > A) had synergic effect with As and induced higher serum TNF-α levels. CONCLUSIONS: Blood Cu and Se were antagonists of toxic metals (Pb, As, and Cd) through lower serum TNF-α levels. Variant types of TNF-α SNPs (-308 G > A, -238 G > A) and wild type of -863 CC would be more susceptible to toxic metals.

Talking to the dead: using Post-mortem data in the assessment of stress in tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) (Péron and Lesueur, 1822).

Sharks are very sensitive to stress and prone to a high mortality rate after capture. Since approximately 50 million of sharks are caught as bycatch every year, and current recommendations to reduce the impact of commercial fishing strongly support immediate release, it is imperative to better understand post-release mortality caused by the stress of capture and handling. Blood samples allow the assessment of stress levels which are valuable tools to reduce mortality in commercial, recreational and scientific fishing, being essential for the improvement in those conservation measures. Biochemical analyses are widely used for sharks as stress indicators, with secondary plasma parameters (lactate, glucose and ions) being the most often employed assays. However, it is virtually impossible to determine baseline plasma parameters in free-ranging sharks, since blood withdrawal involves animal capture and restrain, which are stressful procedures. This study aims at analyzing secondary parameters of five healthy tiger sharks captured with circular hooks and handlines in Fernando de Noronha (Northeastern Brazil) and comparing them with secondary parameters of three dead tiger sharks caught off Recife (also Northeastern Brazil). The results showed that the analysis of some plasma constituents in dead animals may be an efficient tool to assess stress and lethality. However, traditional parameters such as glucose and calcium, need to be used with caution. The results also demonstrated the extreme importance of urea and phosphorus for assessing stress response and mortality in tiger sharks, both parameters frequently neglected and of utmost importance for shark's homeostasis.

Determination of Serum Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, and Fe) in Pakistani Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease, which mainly involves the joints. RA is prevalent worldwide with increasing prevalence in elderly people. The mechanism of RA pathogenesis is still undefined, and it is interplaying between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Although risk factors for RA are not fully established, various studies have focused on the role of trace elements in association with RA. Trace elements act as co-factors for most of the enzymes, and their deficiency is associated with many untoward effects on human health. The homeostatic alterations in the metabolism of trace elements may partly be due to inflammatory response in RA. The objective of the present study was to determine the serum concentrations and correlation of zinc, copper, and iron in RA patients and healthy controls. The study comprised of 61 RA patients and 61 age- and sex-related healthy individuals of Pakistani population. Serum levels of Zn, Cu, and Fe were measured in all the participants by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum Zn and Fe were significantly reduced in the RA patients than those in the healthy controls. Serum Cu concentrations were found elevated in the RA patients. Correlation studies of trace elements determine that there was negative correlation between Zn and Cu in the RA patients and no correlation in the control group. It is very important to explore the deficiency of essential trace metals in biological samples of the RA patients in different populations which may be helpful for diagnosis and supplementary management of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Reference Intervals of Mineral Elements in Plasma of Anesthetized Free-Ranging Adult Females of South American Sea Lion, Otaria flavescens.

Levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) in plasma of Otaria flavescens females (n = 29) were evaluated. Reference intervals were established for each element, being the first report for this species.

A Speciation Study on the Perturbing Effects of Iron Chelators on the Homeostasis of Essential Metal Ions.

A number of reports have appeared in literature calling attention to the depletion of essential metal ions during chelation therapy on ß-thalassaemia patients. We present a speciation study to determine how the iron chelators used in therapy interfere with the homeostatic equilibria of essential metal ions. This work includes a thorough analysis of the pharmacokinetic properties of the chelating agents currently in clinical use, of the amounts of iron, copper and zinc available in plasma for chelation, and of all the implied complex formation constants. The results of the study show that a significant amount of essential metal ions is complexed whenever the chelating agent concentration exceeds the amount necessary to coordinate all disposable iron--a frequently occurring situation during chelation therapy. On the contrary, copper and zinc do not interfere with iron chelation, except for a possible influence of copper on iron speciation during deferiprone treatment.

Role of low exposure to metals as male reproductive toxicants.

The objective of the study was to examine the associations between environmentally relevant low metal concentrations and semen quality parameters in men. The concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), and lead (Pb) in the seminal plasma and urine were measured from 196 male human subjects in Taiwan. Urinary Cd concentrations were negatively associated with sperm viability (p = 0.006). Seminal plasma Cu concentrations of the normal group (≥ 15 × 10(6)/ml) were significantly lower than those of the abnormal group (p = 0.023). However, the linear regression analysis showed a weak association between Cu concentration and sperm concentration, along with other semen parameters. No significant relationship between other metals (As, Pb, Zn, and Se) and semen quality was observed.

Anthroposophic lifestyle influences the concentration of metals in placenta and cord blood.

Allergic diseases develop in genetically susceptible individuals in a complex interplay with the environment, usually early in life. We have previously shown that the anthroposophic lifestyle is associated with reduced risk of allergic disease in children, but details on the influencing environmental factors are largely unknown. This study aims to elucidate if anthroposophic lifestyle influences fetal exposure to selected toxic and essential elements. Randomly selected non-smoking mothers with (n=40) and without (n=40) anthroposophic lifestyle from the prospective birth cohort ALADDIN were included. Concentrations of 12 toxic and essential elements were analyzed in full term placentas and in the erythrocyte fractions of maternal peripheral blood and of umbilical cord blood, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cadmium concentrations in maternal blood and placenta were significantly higher in mothers with an anthroposophic lifestyle (p<0.001), while concentrations in cord blood were generally low, irrespective of lifestyle. Cobalt concentrations were higher in both maternal blood, placenta and cord blood in the anthroposophic group. Lead concentrations were higher in maternal blood and cord blood, but not placenta, of mothers with anthroposophic lifestyle. Analysis of covariance, including lifestyle, parity, maternal age, gestational age, vegetarian diet, use of herbal medicine and occupation in the model, showed that mainly the anthroposophic lifestyle was significantly associated with cadmium concentrations. In conclusion, women with an anthroposophic lifestyle had higher concentrations of cadmium, cobalt and lead concentrations. Cadmium concentrations might have been influenced by a diet rich in vegetables and/or low iron status of the mothers.

[Osteoporosis correction in experiment].

Osteoporosis is simulated in rats by chronic administration of omeprazole or serotonin for 6 months; investigated bone status in the model of liver fibrosis and the administration of serotonin against liver fibrosis. The following experimental groups of rats: with bilateral ovariectomy, with bilateral ovariectomy and administration of omeprazole, with the introduction of serotonin, with serotonin administration and bilateral ovariectomy, with model of liver fibrosis, with liver fibrosis model and administration of serotonin were used. The content of Ca, P, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, serum creatinine, and the content of Ca, P, Mg andFe in the bone was determined. It was found that the administration of mesenchymal stromal cells reduces the severity of osteoporosis. The effects of alfacalcidol on experimental osteoporosis was investigated. Introduction of alfacalcidol in all experimental groups increased the bone formation.