Effect of long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy on complete blood count parameters and selected trace elements: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely prescribed for several gastrointestinal conditions, often as long­term therapy. The effects of term PPI use have not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the association between long­term PPI use and complete blood count parameters, particularly red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, and hemoglobin concentrations, as well as serum levels of selected micronutrients such as selenium (Se), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 37 patients on long­ term PPI therapy (mean [SD] age, 57.1 [15.4] years) and 30 healthy controls (mean [SD] age, 39.3 [11.8] years). In each group, complete blood count, and serum Fe levels were performed, and serum Cu, Zn, and Se levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: Red blood cell and WBC counts were lower in the PPI group compared with controls (mean [SD], 4.24 [0.55] ×106/µl vs 4.7 [0.4] ×106/µl; P <0.001 and 6.13 [1.44] ×103/µl vs 7.3 [1.28] ×103/µl; P <0.001, respectively). Hemoglobin and serum Fe concentrations were also lower in the PPI group (mean [SD], 12.5 [1.8] g /dl vs 14.3 [0.8] g /dl; P <0.001 and 16.3 [5.4] µmol/l vs 23.4 [2.7] µmol/l; P <0.001, respectively). Serum Zn and Cu concentrations were higher in PPI users than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Long­term PPI therapy may reduce RBC and WBC counts as well as hemoglobin levels, leading to iron deficiency. It may also aff ect concentrations of some micronutrients, although the underlying mechanism of this association is not fully clear.

Combined, sequential procedure for determination of 137Cs, 40K, 63Ni, 90Sr, 230,232Th, 234,238U, 237Np, 238,239+240Pu and 241Am applied for study on contamination of soils near Zarnowiec Lake (northern Poland).

The paper summarizes results of investigation of the current state of radioactive contamination on site being under consideration for planned nuclear power plant in northern Poland. Thanks to use of sequential procedure it was possible to determine activity concentrations for radioisotopes of nine elements, both natural and artificial. Results show that observed levels of radioactive contamination are rather typical for central Europe and global fallout is dominant factor of presence of artificial radionuclides. The total deposition for artificial radionuclides revealed maxima equal to 1747 ± 121 Bq/m2 for 137Cs, 3854 ± 158 Bq/m2 for 90Sr, 101 ± 23 mBq/m2 for 237Np, 57.7 ± 6.0 Bq/m2 for 241Am, 3.27 ± 0.80 Bq/m2 for 238Pu and 68.5 ± 5.0 Bq/m2 for 239+240Pu.