Correlations between iron content in knee joint tissues and chosen indices of peripheral blood morphology.

BACKGROUND: Iron as a cofactor of enzymes takes part in the synthesis of the bone matrix. Severe deficiency of iron reduces the strength and mineral density of bones, whereas its excess may increase oxidative stress. In this context, it is essential to determine the iron content in knee joint tissues. OBJECTIVES: The study objective was to determine the level of iron in the tissues of the knee joint, i.e., in the femoral bone, tibia and meniscus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Material for analysis was obtained during endoprosthetic surgery of the knee joint. Within the knee joint, the tibia, femur and meniscus were analyzed. Samples were collected from 50 patients, including 36 women and 14 men. The determination of iron content was performed with the ICP-AES method, using Varian 710-ES. RESULTS: The lowest iron content was in the tibia (27.04 µg/g), then in the meniscus (38.68 µg/g) and the highest in the femur (41.93 µg/g). Statistically significant differences were noted in the content of iron in knee joint tissues. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who underwent endoprosthesoplasty of the knee joint, statistically significant differences were found in the levels of iron in various components of the knee joint. The highest iron content was found in the femoral bone of the knee joint and then in the meniscus, the lowest in the tibia. The differences in iron content in the knee joint between women and men were not statistically significant.

Chromium content in the human hip joint tissues.

OBJECTIVE: Chromium has many important functions in the human body. For the osseous tissue, its role has not been clearly defined. This study was aimed at determining chromium content in hip joint tissues. METHODS: A total of 91 hip joint samples were taken in this study, including 66 from females and 25 from males. The sample tissues were separated according to their anatomical parts. The chromium content was determined by the AAS method. The statistical analysis was performed with U Mann-Whitney's non-parametric test, P≤0.05. RESULTS: The overall chromium content in tissues of the hip joint in the study subjects was as follows: 5.73 µg/g in the articular cartilage, 5.33 µg/g in the cortical bone, 17.86 µg/g in the cancellous bone, 5.95 µg/g in the fragment of the cancellous bone from the intertrochanteric region, and 1.28 µg/g in the joint capsule. The chromium contents were observed in 2 group patients, it was 7.04 µg/g in people with osteoarthritis and 12.59 µg/g in people with fractures. CONCLUSION: The observed chromium content was highest in the cancellous bone and the lowest in the joint capsule. Chromium content was significantly different between the people with hip joint osteoarthritis and the people with femoral neck fractures.

The effect of central noradrenergic system lesion on dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) synthesis rate following administration of 5-HT3 receptor ligands in chosen parts of the rat brain.

INTRODUCTION: Since little has been known about the effect of the central noradrenergic system on the reactivity of serotonin 5-HT3 receptors, the aim of the current study was to find out whether this reactivity could be altered by chemical damage to the system in adult rats in early developmental stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats with central noradrenergic lesion induced by DSP-4 on day 1 and 3 of life were injected with analgesic model substance - morphine, serotoninergic 5-HT3 receptor agonist (1-phenylbiguanide, PBG), 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (ondansetron) or both compounds jointly followed by decarboxylase inhibitor of aromatic amino acids (NSD-1050). After 30 min following NSD-1050 injection, the animals were decapitated using a guillotine. Chosen cerebral structures were dissected, and the contents of 5-hydroxytryptofan (5-HTP) and l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) were determined using high-pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC/ED). RESULTS: Neither PBG nor morphine affected l-DOPA contents in the hippocampus in control rats; however, DSP-4 lesion caused a significant decrease in the synthesis rate of DA in this structure. Hippocampal contents of 5-HTP increased after morphine or PBG administration, and central noradrenergic lesion attenuated this effect. Morphine or PBG decreased cerebellar DA synthesis rate in control rats and DSP-4 lesion did not modify it. Cerebellar levels of 5-HTP increased after morphine or PBG challenge in control rats. DSP-4 lesion intensified the effect of morphine and attenuated that of PBG. Ondansetron abolished the effects mediated by PBG. We did not observe any impact of PBG or ondansetron on DA and 5-HT synthesis in the striatum. CONCLUSION: Damage to the central noradrenergic system in rat newborns, through altered reactivity of central 5-HT3 receptors, results in permanent disorders in serotoninergic transmission in hippocampus and cerebellum as well as dopaminergic transmission in hippocampus, which may attenuate the activity of the descending pathways that derive from these structures.

Analysis of the content of cadmium and zinc in parts of the human hip joint.

Cadmium is an element with proven direct and indirect toxic effects on bones. Zinc affects the content of cadmium in the human body. These elements show antagonistic interactions. The aim of the research was to determine the levels of cadmium and zinc in the hip joint tissues and interactions between these elements. The study group consisted of 91 subjects, 66 women and 25 men. The tissues were obtained intraoperatively during hip endoprosthetic surgery. The levels of cadmium and zinc were assayed by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) method. The analysis of the content of cadmium and zinc in different parts of the hip joint, i.e., articular cartilage, cortical bone, and cancellous bone of the femoral head as well as the articular capsule and a fragment of the cancellous bone taken from the intertrochanteric region of the femoral bone showed significant differences. The cancellous bone was found to have the highest potential to accumulate the elements studied, whereas part of the articular capsule the lowest. Higher levels of cadmium and zinc were observed in samples obtained from men. Patients with bone fractures had higher cadmium content than those with osteoarthritis. The study on the content of cadmium and zinc in the tissues of the hip joint is one of the primary research biomonitoring.

Beryllium concentration in pharyngeal tonsils in children.

Power plant dust is believed to be the main source of the increased presence of the element beryllium in the environment which has been detected in the atmospheric air, surface waters, groundwater, soil, food, and cigarette smoke. In humans, beryllium absorption occurs mainly via the respiratory system. The pharyngeal tonsils are located on the roof of the nasopharynx and are in direct contact with dust particles in inhaled air. As a result, the concentration levels of beryllium in the pharyngeal tonsils are likely to be a good indicator of concentration levels in the air. The presented study had two primary aims: to investigate the beryllium concentration in pharyngeal tonsils in children living in southern Poland, and the appropriate reference range for this element in children's pharyngeal tonsils. Pharyngeal tonsils were extracted from a total of 379 children (age 2-17 years, mean 6.2 ± 2.7 years) living in southern Poland. Tonsil samples were mineralized in a closed cycle in a pressure mineralizer PDS 6, using 65% spectrally pure nitric acid. Beryllium concentration was determined using the ICP-AES method with a Perkin Elmer Optima 5300DVTM. The software Statistica v. 9 was used for the statistical analysis. It was found that girls had a significantly greater beryllium concentration in their pharyngeal tonsils than boys. Beryllium concentration varies greatly, mostly according to the place of residence. Based on the study results, the reference value for beryllium in pharyngeal tonsils of children is recommended to be determined at 0.02-0.04 µg/g.

Distribution of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium in tissues of the hip joint.

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium in tissues of the hip joint and to look for any correlations between these minerals. The study was performed using hip joint samples taken from people living in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region in Poland. Ninety one subjects, 66 women and 25 men, were included in this study. The samples were obtained intra-operatively during hip joint replacement procedures. The concentrations of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Our results showed that these minerals are most abundant in the cancellous bone of the hip joint. They were found next more abundantly in the cortical bone and the cancellous bone from the intertrochanteric area. Levels of magnesium, potassium and calcium were lower in articular cartilage compared with other parts of the hip joint; however, sodium levels were at their highest in this tissue. The lowest levels of these minerals were found in the articular capsule. Those patients with fractures of the femoral neck had lower levels of magnesium, potassium, and calcium, but higher levels of sodium compared with the group with degenerative changes. We can also confirm that in the population studied, calcium levels in cancellous bone of the head of the femur decreased with age.

Influence of the type of tree habitat on the character of co-occurrence of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr and Co in the soil of the Tatra Mountain National Park.

The objective of the research was to determine the effect of habitat type of selected species of trees on the nature of co-occurrence of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr and Co. The presence of speciation forms of these metals was investigated, with reference to the species composition of tree stands in selected areas of the Tatra Mountain National Park (Chocholowska Valley, Strazyska Valley, Koscieliska Valley, as well as Mala Laka Valley).Contents of selected metals in samples were determined by the flame ASA method, with an accuracy of 0.1 µg/g. In habitats dominated by maples, the Pb content in the Chocholowska Valley, unlike Koscieliska Valley covered with beeches, the Pb content in the form directly bioavailable, was twice as high. This was clearly proved in the case of Strazyska Valley where the soil in beech tree habitats contained larger quantities of exchangeable forms of Pb, than that in the Chocholowska Valley. The soil of the valleys, including the Mala Laka Valley, showed peculiar characteristic averaging of the contents of selected speciation forms of metals in the soil. Content corresponding to 10 percentile and geometrical average may be regarded as benchmarks in future studies of the Tatra Mountain National Park, or other protected areas.

The content of manganese and iron in hip joint tissue.

Manganese and iron are elements that constitute components of bone tissue. The aim of this study was to determine presence of manganese and iron in hip joint tissue and interdependencies between these elements. The objects of the research were hip joint elements from people residing in cities on the territory of the Upper Silesian Industrial District. The number of people in the study group was 91 samples, including 66 samples from women and 25 from a man. The examined tissues were obtained intraoperatively during hip replacement procedures. The content of manganese and iron was determined using the atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) method. The lowest content of manganese and iron was found in the cortical bone, and the largest, in the case of manganese, in the articular cartilage, whereas in the case of iron in a fragment of the cancellous bone from the intertrochanteric area. The content of iron in selected elements of the hip joint decreased with age. Higher content of manganese in hip joint tissue of women compared to men was confirmed. What is more, higher content of iron in hip joint tissue of men was confirmed as well.

Lead and calcium content in the human hip joint.

Concentration of lead in bone, unlike in soft tissues, increases during the lifetime and reflects severity of exposure to this element. The main aim of the study was to determine concentrations of lead and calcium and to find possible relationship between calcium and lead in the tissues of the hip joints obtained from inhabitants of the Upper Silesian Industrial Area. We also attempted to identify factors that might affect this relationship. The samples were harvested intraoperatively during total hip replacement procedures; in most cases, the indication for the surgery was hip osteoarthritis. Concentrations of lead and calcium were measured with a Pye Unicam SP-9 acetylene-oxygen flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The highest mean concentration of lead was found in the cancellous bone from the femoral head, followed by articular cartilage, cortical bone and the intertrochanteric cancellous bone (0.75 µg/g). The smallest concentration was found in the joint capsule (0.19 µg/g). The highest mean concentration of calcium was found in cancellous bone from the femoral head, followed by cancellous bone from the intertrochanteric area, cortical bone, articular cartilage and joint capsule. The concentration of lead showed no correlation with sex. The bone concentration of calcium decreased with age. In the analysed hips, this finding was true in the cortical bone, as well as in the cancellous bone of the intertrochanteric area. Statistically significant correlation between calcium and lead was found only in the hip articular cartilage.

The occurrence of nickel and other elements in tissues of the hip joint.

Nickel is applied in the production of surgical instruments and compounds of nickel affect the osseous tissue. The objective of this study was to determine the contents of nickel and 11 elements in tissues of a hip joint obtained from inhabitants of the Upper-Silesian Industrial Area. The samples were collected intra-operatively during Total Hip Replacement procedures, in most cases the indication for the surgery was hip osteoarthritis. Concentrations of nickel and 11 trace elements were measured with a Pye Unicam SP-9 acetylene-oxygen flame atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Additional analyses were conducted to identify the correlations occurring between these elements. The average content of trace elements in the hip joint was as follows (mg kg(-1)): Cd 0.66, Cr 7.58, Cu 8.43, Mn 0.79, Pb 3.75, Ni 4.82, Fe 252.13, Zn 75.65, Mg 1306.19, K 3938.67, Na 7484.52, Ca 49485.44. The study demonstrated that the content of nickel and the other elements was diversified, depending on the element of the hip joint, gender and the type of affection the endoprosthesis-plasty was performed for.

(137)Cs and (40)K isotopes in forest and wasteland soils in a selected region of eastern Poland 20 years after the Chernobyl accident.

The vertical (137)Cs profile of forest and wasteland soils was analyzed in the south of the Podlasie Lowland area (Eastern Poland) about 20 years after the Chernobyl accident. In addition, the concentration of (40)K in soils of the investigated area was measured. Below the litter layer (mean thickness 3 cm), the soil samples were collected up to a depth of 12 cm and then divided into three layers: 0-3, 3-7, 7-12 cm. The behavior of (137)Cs and (40)K isotopes in soils was analyzed depending on the depth from which the soil samples were collected, as well as on the content of organic carbon, pH of soil and its granulometric composition. It was established that the density of (137)Cs in the litter layer equals 2.17 kBq m(-2); it is the highest in layer 0-3 cm where it equals 3.44 kBq m(-2), and it decreases with the depth to the value of 0.76 kBq m(-2) in layer 7-12 cm. No similar pattern was observed in wasteland soils. The concentrations of (40)K in forest and wasteland soils did not change significantly with depth.

[Effect of passive smoking on the occurrence of Cu and Ca in the tonsils of children with an area of Tychy]. / Wplyw biernego palenia na wystepowanie Cu i Ca w migdalkach dzieci z obszaru miasta Tychy.

In this paper the results of concentration of Cu and Ca in pharyngeal tonsils from children exposed and unexposed to tobacco smoke. Concentration of Ca and Cu determination of ICP-AES method with the apparatus Solaar M6 (PJA Solutions). Geometric mean of content of Cu in pharyngeal tonsils girls and boys exposure and unexposure to tobacco smoking was in similar level--2.69-2.99 microg/g. Concentration of Ca in investigated samples was higher in pharyngeal tonsils from children unexposure to tobacco (boys about 200 microg/g, girls about 30 microg/g) in comparison to children exposure to tobacco smoking. In our study was presented cross-correlation analysis between Cu and Ca and other elements and Cluster Analysis.

[Changing the contents of Fe and Mn in the tonsils of children exposed to passive smoking and their local imission example Chorzow]. / Zmiana zawartosci Fe i Mn w migdalkach dzieci narazonych na bierne palenie i ich lokalna imisje na przykladzie Chorzowa.

The subject of the research were samples of overgrown adenoids removed by adenoidectomy 56 children, including 30 boys and 26 girls, exposure and unexposure from passive smoking, living in the administrative area of Chorzów. The statistic characteristic of Fe and Mn occurrence is presented in the thesis. The studies were carried out on the changes of Fe and Mn and other elements, (B, Al, La, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, Se, Hg, V, Be, Mo, Sn, V, Ti, Sb, Bi, TI, Zr, Ca, Mg, Na, Ba, Sr, Li) respectively. The elemental composition of adenoids was determined with ICP-AES method (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy). The studies on Fe and Mn occurrence in adenoids showed the presence of its higher concentrations in exposure boys (Fe - 116.13 microg/g; Mn - 0.70 microg/g), in comparison with exposure girls from passive smoking (93.06 microg/g; Mn - 0.57 microg/g).

Concentrations of metals in maxilla and mandible deciduous and permanent human teeth.

The study shows the results of research on the concentrations of metals (Cd, Pb, Mn, Cu, Cr, Fe, Zn, Na, K, Mg, and Ca) in deciduous and permanent teeth with respect to their location in the oral cavity (maxilla, mandible). It has been found that the concentrations of metals were significantly higher in the deciduous teeth than in permanent ones. Regression analysis and principal component analysis revealed an increased dynamics of the processes of binding the elements by the hydroxyapatite of deciduous teeth. Higher concentrations of the metals were found in the maxilla permanent and deciduous teeth than in the mandible ones.

Interactions between concentrations of chemical elements in human femoral heads.

Environmental and occupational exposure to various metals has been a major public health concern and the subject of many studies. With the development of industry and transportation, environmental pollution has markedly worsened. As a result, metals are now ubiquitous and are absorbed into the body with food, drinking water, and polluted air. Exposure to these elements leads to numerous health problems, affecting almost every system of the human body, including the skeletal system. Bone is a specific research material that is difficult to obtain, therefore chemical analyses of metal concentrations in this tissue are rarely found in the literature. Nevertheless, bone, due to its long regeneration period, can serve as a biomarker of a long-term metal accumulation resulting from environmental or occupational exposure. Our study was conducted on bone samples harvested from inhabitants of the Upper Silesia region during hip replacement surgery. Femoral heads removed during surgery were sectioned into slices and further subdivided into samples comprising articular cartilage, cortical bone, and trabecular bone. Concentrations of 12 trace elements were measured with an atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. We found significant correlation between concentrations of these metal elements in the samples of cortical bone. This is determined not only by the physiological functions of these metals in hydroxyapatite, but also by the specific mineral structure of the bone tissue.

[Influence of age in content of trace elements in pharyngeal tonsils from exposure and unexposure children]. / Rola wieku w ksztaltowaniu sie obecnosci pierwiastków fizjologicznych w migdalakch gardlowych dzieci w aspekcie biernego palenia.

This project is aimed to estimate the effect of passive smoke on the levels of selected trace elements (Ca, Mg, K, Na) in pharyngeal tonsils of children in several group of age (2-5 years, 6-9 years, 10-15 years). This trace elements were determined using ICP-AES method. It was concluded that the exposure to the cigarette smoke in pharyngeal tonsils is a factor producing the changes in the levels of essential elements: geometric mean of Ca was the highest in pharyngeal tonsils of children in 10-15 years old unexposure to ETS (410 microg/g). The least level of Ca - 281 microg/g was observed in this samples in the same group of age, but in children exposure by ETS. High levels of K was observed in pharyngeal tonsils of children exposure to passive smoking in all of group of age to comparison to unexposure by ETS. The greatest content - 27479 microg/g was in pharyngeal tonsils in exposure to ETS in 6-9 years old was observed, but the least - 16478 microg/g in 10-15 years old. Change of content of Mg was from 764 to 784 microg/g in samples from children exposure by ETS to comparison 720-744 microg/g in children unexposure by ETS. High level of Na was observed in pharyngeal tonsils from children exposure to ETS in all of group of age to comparison to unexposure. This study showed that the kind of interaction dependent on age and exposed by ETS. The changes of given elements were different for children passive smoking and no passive smoking in several group of age.

[Trace elements concentration in pharyngeal tonsils from exposed and unexposed to ETS children in refer to sex and places of living]. / Wplyw biernego palenia na zawartosc pierwiastków fizjologicznych w migdalkach gardlowych w nawiazaniu do plci i miejsca zamieszkania.

The aim of this study was investigation influence sex and place living (industrial region or village) to concentration of: Ca, K, Mg and Na in pharyngeal tonsils (n = 84) from children exposed and unexposed to tobacco smoke and analysis kind of interactions between trace elements. Determination of these elements contents were performed by ICP-AES. It was found higher concentrations of Ca and Na in pharyngeal tonsils from boys (389 microg//g) and girls (356 microg/g) unexposed to tobacco smoke to comparison to expose to ETS boys (304 microg/g) and girls (298 microg/g). Higher concentrations of Ca and Na was found in this samples from children unexposed on ETS, living in industrial area to comparison to unexposed to ETS children living in village region. Higher concentration of K and Mg was found in exposed to ETS girls and boys in comparison to unexposed to ETS children, and higher level of these metals were found in exposed to tobacco smoke children living in industrial region and village.

[The important mean of passive smoking for lead and chromium content in deciduous teeth]. / Znaczenie biernego palenia dla wystepowania olowiu i chromu w zebach mlecznych.

In this work the changes of lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) content in deciduous children teeth exposed on environmental tobacco smoking were presented. As the control group were given deciduous children teeth nonexposed on tobacco smoking in home. The content of lead in deciduous teeth was higher in non-exposed population (13.81 microg/g) than in passive-smoking population (12.28 microg/g) p < or = 0.005. The passive smoking has effect to less chromium content in deciduous teeth. The quotient of lead and chromium contents was higher in passive-smoking boys and girls and different kind of deciduous teeth.

[The influence of tobacco smoking on the occurrence of copper in hydroxiapatites of gallstones]. / Wplyw nalogu palenia tytoniu na wystepowanie miedzi w hydroksyapatytach kamieni zólciowych.

The studies were carried out on the changes in copper content in concretions of gallstones which were taken from 146 women (49 smoking and 97 no smoking) and 24 men (11 smoking and 13 no smoking), respectively. The elemental composition of gallstones was determined with ICP-AES method (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy). Studies on copper occurrence in concretions of gallstones showed the presence of its higher concentrations in case of smoking women (9.59 microg/g) and men (8.99 microg/g) in comparison with no smoking women (7.02 microg/g) and men (7.66 microg/ g). It was shown differences in pattern of changes of copper concentration in gallstones in case of smoking and no smoking women and men.

The occurrence of copper in deciduous teeth of girls and boys living in Upper Silesian Industry Region (Southern Poland).

This work presents the results of a research concerning the copper content in different types of deciduous teeth (incisor, canine, molar) of boys and girls living in the Upper Silesian Industry Region (Southern Poland). The average copper concentration in deciduous teeth was 9.92 microg/g and was significantly higher in the deciduous teeth of boys (12.24 microg/g) in comparison to the deciduous teeth of girls (8.60 microg/g). The concentration of copper was statistically variable depending on the type of tooth (incisor, canine, molar). The results of the correlation analysis and cluster analysis indicate mainly the participation of lead, iron, manganese and chromium ions in the formation of copper content in hard tissue of deciduous teeth.