Zinc, Copper, and Iron in Selected Skin Diseases.

Trace elements are essential for maintaining the body's homeostasis, and their special role has been demonstrated in skin physiology. Among the most important trace elements are zinc, copper, and iron. A deficiency or excess of trace elements can be associated with an increased risk of skin diseases, so increasing their supplementation or limiting intake can be helpful in dermatological treatment. In addition, determinations of their levels in various types of biological material can be useful as additional tests in dermatological treatment. This paper describes the role of these elements in skin physiology and summarizes data on zinc, copper, and iron in the course of selected, following skin diseases: psoriasis, pemphigus vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris and seborrheic dermatitis. In addition, this work identifies the potential of trace elements as auxiliary tests in dermatology. According to preliminary studies, abnormal levels of zinc, copper, and iron are observed in many skin diseases and their determinations in serum or hair can be used as auxiliary and prognostic tests in the course of various dermatoses. However, since data for some conditions are conflicting, clearly defining the potential of trace elements as auxiliary tests or elements requiring restriction/supplement requires further research.

Potential Drug-Nutrient Interactions of 45 Vitamins, Minerals, Trace Elements, and Associated Dietary Compounds with Acetylsalicylic Acid and Warfarin-A Review of the Literature.

In cardiology, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and warfarin are among the most commonly used prophylactic therapies against thromboembolic events. Drug-drug interactions are generally well-known. Less known are the drug-nutrient interactions (DNIs), impeding drug absorption and altering micronutritional status. ASA and warfarin might influence the micronutritional status of patients through different mechanisms such as binding or modification of binding properties of ligands, absorption, transport, cellular use or concentration, or excretion. Our article reviews the drug-nutrient interactions that alter micronutritional status. Some of these mechanisms could be investigated with the aim to potentiate the drug effects. DNIs are seen occasionally in ASA and warfarin and could be managed through simple strategies such as risk stratification of DNIs on an individual patient basis; micronutritional status assessment as part of the medical history; extensive use of the drug-interaction probability scale to reference little-known interactions, and application of a personal, predictive, and preventive medical model using omics.

Association between Multiple Trace Elements, Executive Function, and Cognitive Impairment with No Dementia in Older Adults.

Many studies suggest a significant association between individual essential trace elements (ETEs) and cognitive impairment in older adults, but evidence of the synchronized effect of multiple ETEs on cognitive function is lacking. We investigated the association between multiple ETEs, cognitive impairment with no dementia (CIND), and executive function in older Korean adults, using the Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model. Three hundred and thirty-six older adults were included as the study population and classified as the CIND and control groups. Blood manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and molybdenum (Mo) were measured as relevant ETEs. The frontal/executive tests included digit symbol coding (DSC), the Korean color word Stroop test (K-CWST), a controlled oral word association test (COWAT), and a trial-making test (TMT). Overall, the BKMR showed a negative association between multiple ETEs and the odds of CIND. Mn was designated as the most dominant element associated with the CIND (PIP = 0.6184), with a U-shaped relationship. Cu and Se levels were positively associated with the K-CWST percentiles (ß = 31.78; 95% CI: 13.51, 50.06) and DSC percentiles (ß = 25.10; 95% CI: 7.66, 42.53), respectively. Our results suggest that exposure to multiple ETEs may be linked to a protective mechanism against cognitive impairment in older adults.

[Determination of 24 elements migration in Yixing clay pottery by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an analytical method for determining the migration of 24 elements in Yixing clay pottery in 4% acetic acid simulated solution by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. METHODS: Four types of Yixing clay pottery, including Yixing clay teapot, Yixing clay kettle, Yixing clay pot, and Yixing clay electric stew pot, were immersed in 4% acetic acid as a food simulant for testing. The migration amount of 24 elements in the migration solution was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Lithium, magnesium, aluminum, iron, and barium elements with a mass concentration of 1000 µg/L; Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, chromium, nickel, copper, vanadium, manganese, antimony, tin, zinc, cobalt, molybdenum, silver, beryllium, thallium, titanium, and strontium elements within 100 µg/L there was a linear relationship within, the r value was between 0.998 739 and 0.999 989. Total mercury at 5.0 µg/L, there was a linear relationship within, the r value of 0.995 056. The detection limit of the elements measured by this method was between 0.5 and 45.0 µg/L, the recovery rate was 80.6%-108.9%, and the relative standard deviation was 1.0%-4.8%(n=6). A total of 32 samples of four types of Yixing clay pottery sold on the market, including teapots, boiling kettles, casseroles, and electric stewing pots, were tested. It was found that the migration of 16 elements, including beryllium, titanium, chromium, nickel, cobalt, zinc, silver, cadmium, antimony, total mercury, thallium, tin, copper, total arsenic, molybdenum, and lead, were lower than the quantitative limit. The element with the highest migration volume teapot was aluminum, magnesium, and barium; The kettle was aluminum and magnesium; Casserole was aluminum, magnesium, and lithium; The electric stew pot was aluminum. CONCLUSION: This method is easy to operate and has high accuracy, providing an effective and feasible detection method for the determination and evaluation of element migration in Yixing clay pottery.

Manganese reductive dissolution coupled to Sb mobilization in contaminated shooting range soil.

A "redox-stat" RMnR bioreactor was employed to simulate moderately reducing conditions (+ 420 mV) in Sb-contaminated shooting range soils for approximately 3 months, thermodynamically favoring Mn(IV) reduction. The impact of moderately reducing conditions on elemental mobilization (Mn, Sb, Fe) and speciation [Sb(III) versus Sb(V); Fe2+/Fe3+] was compared to a control bioreactor RCTRL without a fixed redox potential. In both bioreactors, reducing conditions were accompanied by an increase in effluent Sb(V) and Mn(II) concentrations, suggesting that Sb(V) was released through microbial reduction of Mn oxyhydroxide minerals. This was underlined by multiple linear regression analysis showing a significant (p < 0.05) relationship between Mn and Sb effluent concentrations. Mn concentration was the sole variable exhibiting a statistically significant effect on Sb in RMnR, while under the more reducing conditions in RCTRL, pH and redox potential were also significant. Analysis of the bacterial community composition revealed an increase in the genera Azoarcus, Flavisolibacter, Luteimonas, and Mesorhizobium concerning the initial soil, some of which are possible key players in the process of Sb mobilization. The overall amount of Sb released in the RMnR (10.40%) was virtually the same as in the RCTRL (10.37%), which underlines a subordinate role of anoxic processes, such as Fe-reductive dissolution, in Sb mobilization. This research underscores the central role of relatively low concentrations of Mn oxyhydroxides in influencing the fate of trace elements. Our study also demonstrates that bioreactors operated as redox-stats represent versatile tools that allow quantifying the contribution of specific mechanisms determining the fate of trace elements in contaminated soils. KEY POINTS: • "Redox-stat" reactors elucidate Sb mobilization mechanisms • Mn oxyhydroxides microbial reductive dissolution has a major role in Sb mobilization in soils under moderately reducing conditions • Despite aging the soil exhibited significant Sb mobilization potential, emphasizing persistent environmental effects.

A genome-wide association study provides insights into the genetic etiology of 57 essential and non-essential trace elements in humans.

Trace elements are important for human health but may exert toxic or adverse effects. Mechanisms of uptake, distribution, metabolism, and excretion are partly under genetic control but have not yet been extensively mapped. Here we report a comprehensive multi-element genome-wide association study of 57 essential and non-essential trace elements. We perform genome-wide association meta-analyses of 14 trace elements in up to 6564 Scandinavian whole blood samples, and genome-wide association studies of 43 trace elements in up to 2819 samples measured only in the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT). We identify 11 novel genetic loci associated with blood concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, manganese, selenium, and zinc in genome-wide association meta-analyses. In HUNT, several genome-wide significant loci are also indicated for other trace elements. Using two-sample Mendelian randomization, we find several indications of weak to moderate effects on health outcomes, the most precise being a weak harmful effect of increased zinc on prostate cancer. However, independent validation is needed. Our current understanding of trace element-associated genetic variants may help establish consequences of trace elements on human health.

Comparison of trace elements in peripheral blood and bone marrow of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.

Trace elements are essential micronutrients for the human body. Their roles are indispensable, as they are involved in a wide range of vital biological processes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate alterations in trace elements in the blood and bone marrow serum of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NMM). The levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se), arsenic (As), boron (B), nickel (Ni), silicon (Si) and chromium (Cr) were analyzed in the venous blood samples of the patient group comprising 70 patients with NMM (41 males and 29 females) and compared to those in the control group comprising 30 individuals (18 males and 12 females). In addition, trace element levels were analyzed in bone marrow samples from the patient group. Blood and bone marrow serum levels were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. When the blood samples of the patient and control groups were compared: Zn (p = 0.011), Fe (p = 0.008), Mn (p = 0.046), Se (p < 0.001), As (p < 0.001), Ni (p < 0.001) and Cr (p < 0.001) levels were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. Higher Zn, Fe, Mn, Se, As, Ni and Cr levels in the NMM patients suggest that alterations of trace elements could be predisposing factor that initiates the malignant process. The relationship between malignancies and trace elements is crucial for the development of adjuvant therapy strategies and preventive medicine and as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Therefore, there is a need for studies examining the relationship between hematological malignancies and trace elements.

Preconceptional micronutrient adequacy among women in Greece: a prospective epidemiological study.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of micronutrient intake during the preconceptional and early pregnancy period for both maternal and fetal outcomes is well-known, however, relevant data are not available for Greek pregnant women. The aim of the present study is to delineate the nutritional status preceding conception among a representative cohort of Greek pregnant women. METHODS: This was a prospective study of pregnant women from routine care, recruited at 11+0-13+6 gestational weeks, between December 2020 and October 2022, at the 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Eligible participants for the study included healthy pregnant women aged 20 years or older, possessing a proficient understanding of the Greek language, and not engaged in specific nutritional programs. A validated Food Frequency Questionnaire was applied to gather information regarding nutritional habits in the last 6 months prior to conception. The consumption of nutrients was compared to the reference intake levels suggested by the European Food Safety Authority. Further analyses between different participants' subgroups were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 1100 pregnant women (mean age: 32.4 ± 4.9 years) were enrolled. Almost all examined micronutrients' intake was significantly different from dietary reference values. Furthermore, nutrient adequacy ratio was below 60% in 6 out of 22 micronutrients examined, and Mean Adequacy Ratio was 93%. However, Mean Adequacy Ratio is characterized by extreme variance between the examined values. Iodine, folic acid, potassium, and vitamin D intake levels were significantly lower than the recommended intake levels (p < .001 for all), while vitamin K and niacin (p < .001 for both) were consumed in great extent. Sodium median intake, without calculating extra salt addition also exceeded the reference value levels (p = .03). Notably, magnesium intake exceeded the upper safety limits in 12.4% of the sample. CONCLUSION: Potential inadequacies in important micronutrients for uneventful pregnancy outcomes have been revealed.. Special attention is needed for magnesium to balance possible toxicity with evident benefits.

Unveiling the micronutrient-immunity puzzle in inactivated COVID-19 vaccination: A comprehensive analysis of circulating micronutrient levels and humoral responses in healthy adults.

While micronutrients are crucial for immune function, their impact on humoral responses to inactivated COVID-19 vaccination remains unclear. We investigated the associations between seven key micronutrients and antibody responses in 44 healthy adults with two doses of an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. Blood samples were collected pre-vaccination and 28 days post-booster. We measured circulating minerals (iron, zinc, copper, and selenium) and vitamins (A, D, and E) concentrations alongside antibody responses and assessed their associations using linear regression analyses. Our analysis revealed inverse associations between blood iron and zinc concentrations and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibody binding affinity (AUC for iron: ß = -258.21, p < 0.0001; zinc: ß = -17.25, p = 0.0004). Notably, antibody quality presented complex relationships. Blood selenium was positively associated (ß = 18.61, p = 0.0030), while copper/selenium ratio was inversely associated (ß = -1.36, p = 0.0055) with the neutralizing ability against SARS-CoV-2 virus at a 1:10 plasma dilution. There was no significant association between circulating micronutrient concentrations and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG binding affinity. These findings suggest that circulating iron, zinc, and selenium concentrations and copper/selenium ratio, may serve as potential biomarkers for both quantity (binding affinity) and quality (neutralization) of humoral responses after inactivated COVID-19 vaccination. Furthermore, they hint at the potential of pre-vaccination dietary interventions, such as selenium supplementation, to improve vaccine efficacy. However, larger, diverse studies are needed to validate these findings. This research advances the understanding of the impact of micronutrients on vaccine response, offering the potential for personalized vaccination strategies.

Assessment of some toxic elements (Co, Cr, Mn, Se, and As) in muscle, offal, hair, and blood of camels (Camelus dromedaries) and their risk assessment.

Background: Camel meat tainted with heavy metals or trace elements may pose a health risk to consumers. Heavy metal contamination poses a severe danger due to both their toxicity and bioaccumulation in the food chain. Aim: To estimate the residual levels of heavy metals (Co, Cr, Mn, Se, and As) in muscle, liver, kidney, hair, and serum of three camel breeds (Magaheem, Maghateer, and Wadha) collected from Al-Omran abattoir, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A total of 225 tissue samples (muscles, liver, kidney, serum, and hair) were taken and analyzed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Health risk assessment was assessed using the guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Results: Camel breed significantly (p < 0.05) influences Co, Cr, Mn, and Se accumulation and distribution in organs and muscle; however, arsenic accumulation was not significantly affected (p < 0.05) by camel breeds. The highest values of Co, Cr, Se, and Mn in all examined samples were detected in the liver samples of Maghateer and Magaheem breeds. Furthermore, significant strong positive correlation between serum and liver cobalt, chromium, manganese, and arsenic. The estimated daily intake owing to camel meat consumption was less than the tolerated daily intake. Conclusion: Heavy metals were distributed among different breeds of camel. Trace elements (Pb and Cd) in meat and offal were below the international maximum permissible limit. The correlation between samples reflects the role of hair as a good tool for the identification of heavy metal pollution.

The incidence of upper respiratory infections in children is related to the concentration of vanadium in indoor dust aggregates.

Background: It has been reported that the disease-initiated and disease-mediated effects of aerosol pollutants can be related to concentration, site of deposition, duration of exposure, as well as the specific chemical composition of pollutants. Objectives: To investigate the microelemental composition of dust aggregates in primary schools of Vilnius and determine trace elements related to acute upper respiratory infections among 6-to 11-year-old children. Methods: Microelemental analysis of aerosol pollution was performed using dust samples collected in the classrooms of 11 primary schools in Vilnius from 2016 to 2020. Sites included areas of its natural accumulation behind the radiator heaters and from the surface of high cupboards. The concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, W, Sb, Sn, Zr, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cr, V, and As) in dust samples were analyzed using a SPECTRO XEPOS spectrometer. The annual incidence rates of respiratory diseases in children of each school were calculated based on data from medical records. Results: The mean annual incidence of physician-diagnosed acute upper respiratory infections (J00-J06 according to ICD-10A) among younger school-age children was between 25.1 and 71.3% per school. A significant correlation was found between vanadium concentration and the number of episodes of acute upper respiratory infections during each study year from 2016 to 2020. The lowest was r = 0.67 (p = 0.024), and the highest was r = 0.82 (p = 0.002). The concentration of vanadium in the samples of dust aggregates varied from 12.7 to 52.1 parts per million (ppm). No significant correlations between the other trace elements and the incidence of upper respiratory infections were found, which could be caused by a small number of study schools and relatively low concentrations of other heavy metals found in the samples of indoor dust aggregates. Conclusion: A significant and replicable correlation was found between the concentration of vanadium in the samples of natural dust aggregates collected in primary schools and the incidence of acute upper respiratory infections in children. Monitoring the concentration of heavy metals in the indoor environment can be an important instrument for the prevention and control of respiratory morbidity in children.

Toxicological profile and potential health concerns through metals and trace elements exposure in brick kiln workers from Lahore, Pakistan.

This study examined levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) in blood, hair, and nails of 18 brick kiln workers from three brick kiln units located around a metropolitan city, Lahore, Pakistan. All the trace elements except Hg and As were detected in the studied matrices of Brick kiln workers. In general, brick kiln workers reflect the highest concentration of Pb, followed by Cd, Cr, and Cu. Of the pollutants analyzed, Pb has the highest mean (min-max) concentrations at 0.35 (0.09-0.65) in blood (µg/mL), 0.34 (0.14-0.71) in hairs (µg/g), and 0.44 (0.32-0.59) in nails (µg/g) of brick kiln workers. Following Pb, the trend was Cd 0.17 (0.10-0.24), Cu 0.11(0.03-0.27), and Cr 0.07 (0.04-0.08) in blood (µg/mL), followed by Cr 0.11(0.05-0.20), Cd 0.09 (0.03-0.13), and Cu 0.08 (0.04-0.16) in hairs (µg/g) and Cu 0.16 (0.05-0.36), Cd 0.13 (0.11-0.17), and Cr 0.10 (0.05-0.14) in nails (µg/g) respectively. Relatively higher concentrations of metals and other trace elements in blood depicts recent dietary exposure. The difference of trace elements except Pb was non-significant (P > 0.05) among studied matrices of workers as well as between Zigzag and traditional exhaust-based brick kilns. The concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr in blood of brick kilns workers are higher than the values reported to cause health problems in human populations. It is concluded that chronic exposure to metals and other trace elements may pose some serious health risks to brick kiln workers which needs to be addressed immediately to avoid future worst-case scenarios.

The association between intakes of dietary trace minerals and gallstone disease: A cross-sectional study from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017 to 2018.

The gallstone disease is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Dietary trace minerals have been proven to be closely related to many metabolic diseases, and this study aims to explore the association between intakes of dietary trace minerals (copper, iron, selenium, and zinc) and gallstone disease (GSD). Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2017 to 2018, intakes of dietary trace minerals and GSD data were obtained through a 24-hour recall and diagnostic questionnaire, respectively. Weighted logistic regression models were used to identify the association between intakes of dietary trace minerals and the prevalence of GSD, and the results were presented as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). A total of 4077 participants were included in the final analysis, of which 456 participants had GSD and 3621 participants serving as the control group. No significant associations between GSD and intakes of dietary trace minerals (iron, selenium, and zinc) were found. However, after adjusting for all covariates, significant association was demonstrated between dietary copper (Cu) intake and GSD (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.45-0.98). After conducting a weighted quantile logistic regression, a significant negative correlation was also found between dietary Cu intake and highest GSD quartile (Q4) (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.26-0.80). Following the research outlined above, no association was found between intakes of dietary trace minerals (iron, selenium, and zinc) and GSD; however, a linear negative association was identified between dietary Cu intake and GSD.

Health risks and sources of trace elements and black carbon in PM2.5 from 2019 to 2021 in Beijing.

A comprehensive health risk assessment of PM2.5 is meaningful to understand the current status and directions regarding further improving air quality from the perspective of human health. In this study, we evaluated the health risks of PM2.5 as well as highly toxic inorganic components, including heavy metals (HMs) and black carbon (BC) based on long-term observations in Beijing from 2019 to 2021. Our results showed that the relative risks of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, acute lower respiratory tract infection, ischemic heart disease, and stroke decreased by 4.07%-9.30% in 2020 and 2.12%-6.70% in 2021 compared with 2019. However, they were still at high levels ranging from 1.26 to 1.77, in particular, stroke showed the highest value in 2021. Mn had the highest hazard quotient (HQ, from 2.18 to 2.56) for adults from 2019 to 2021, while Ni, Cr, Pb, As, and BC showed high carcinogenic risks (CR > 1.0×10-6) for adults. The HQ values of Mn and As and the CR values of Pb and As showed constant or slight upwards trends during our observations, which is in contrast to the downward trends of other HMs and PM2.5. Mn, Cr, and BC are crucial toxicants in PM2.5. A significant shrink of southern region sourcesof HMs and BCshrank suggests the increased importance of local sources. Industry, dust, and biomass burning are the major contributors to the non-carcinogenic risks, while traffic emissions and industry are the dominant contributors to the carcinogenic risks in Beijing.

Ferritin: Significance in viral infections.

As an indispensable trace element, iron is essential for many biological processes. Increasing evidence has shown that virus infection can perturb iron metabolism and play a role in the occurrence and development of viral infection-related diseases. Ferritin plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's iron homoeostasis. It is an important protein to stabilise the iron balance in cells. Ferritin is a 24-mer hollow iron storage protein composed of two subunits: ferritin heavy chain and ferritin light chain. It was reported that ferritin is not only an intra-cellular iron storage protein, but also a pathogenic mediator that enhances the inflammatory process and stimulates the further inflammatory pathway, which is a key member of the vicious pathogenic cycle to perpetuate. Ferritin exerts immuno-suppressive and pro-inflammatory functions during viral infection. In this review, we describe in detail the basic information of ferritin in the first section, including its structural features, the regulation of ferritin. In the second part, we focus on the role of ferritin in viral infection-related diseases and the molecular mechanisms by which viral infection regulates ferritin. The last section briefly outlines the potential of ferritin in antiviral therapy. Given the importance of iron and viral infection, understanding the role of ferritin during viral infection helps us understand the relationship between iron metabolic dysfunction and viral infection, which provides a new direction for the development of antiviral therapeutic drugs.

Ocean acidification impact on the uptake of trace elements by mussels and their biochemical effects.

This study delves into the intricate interplay between ocean acidification (OA), metal bioaccumulation, and cellular responses using mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) as bioindicators. For this purpose, environmentally realistic concentrations of isotopically labelled metals (Cd, Cu, Ag, Ce) were added to investigate whether the OA increase would modify metal bioaccumulation and induce adverse effects at the cellular level. The study reveals that while certain elements like Cd and Ag might remain unaffected by OA, the bioavailability of Cu and Ce could potentially escalate, leading to amplified accumulation in marine organisms. The present findings highlight a significant rise in Ce concentrations within different mussel organs under elevated pCO2 conditions, accompanied by an increased isotopic fractionation of Ce (140/142Ce), suggesting a heightened potential for metal accumulation under OA. The results suggested that OA influenced metal accumulation in the gills of mussels. Conversely, metal accumulation in the digestive gland was unaffected by OA. The exposure to both trace metals and OA affects the biochemical responses of M. galloprovincialis, leading to increased metabolic capacity, changes in energy reserves, and alterations in oxidative stress markers, but the specific effects on other biomarkers (e.g., lipid peroxidation, some enzymatic responses or acetylcholinesterase activity) were not uniform, suggesting complex interactions between the stressors and the biochemical pathways in the mussels.

Essential trace element levels in multiple sclerosis: Bridging demographic and clinical gaps, assessing the need for supplementation.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disorder intricately linked to perturbations in trace element levels. While previous studies have explored circulating trace elements in a limited sample, understanding the impact of demographic and clinical variables on the elemental profile within a larger cohort remains elusive. METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate essential trace elements (Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, and Se) in the sera of 215 MS patients compared to a meticulously matched control group of 100 individuals with similar gender and age. Our main objective was to identify potential variations in elemental profiles based on demographic and clinical parameters among MS patients, elucidating the prospective relevance of supplementing specific essential trace elements. RESULTS: Data indicated a significant decrease in serum levels of Mn, Co, Zn, and Se, and an increase in Cr in MS patients compared to controls. These trace elements not only discriminated between MS patients and controls but also exhibited distinctive capabilities among demographic subgroups. Gender, smoking habits, and age strata (20-40 years and 41-60 years) revealed discernible variations in elemental profiles between MS patients and their control counterparts. Se demonstrated the singular ability to stratify cases of extreme MS severity, mild relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and highly severe secondary progressive MS (SPMS). In contrast, Co significantly differentiated RRMS from primary progressive MS (PPMS), while Cu significantly differentiated SPMS from PPMS. Additionally, Cu showed a negative correlation with MSSS, while Mn and Zn showed a positive correlation with EDSS. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore a substantive deficiency in Mn, Co, Zn, and Se in the MS cohort, supporting targeted supplementation with these trace elements. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between essential trace elements and MS, paving the way for further research into personalized nutritional interventions for this complex neurological disorder.

Postprandial Micronutrient Variability and Bioavailability: An Interventional Meal Study in Young vs. Old Participants.

This study explores age- and time-dependent variations in postprandial micronutrient absorption after a micronutrient-rich intervention meal within the Biomiel (bioavailability of micronutrients in elderly) study. Comprising 43 healthy participants, the study compares young (n = 21; mean age 26.90 years) and old (n = 22; mean age 66.77 years) men and women, analyzing baseline concentrations and six-hour postprandial dynamics of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), iodine (I), free zinc (fZn), vitamin C, retinol, lycopene, ß-carotene, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol, along with 25(OH) vitamin D (quantified only at baseline). Methodologically, quantifications in serum or plasma were performed at baseline and also at 90, 180, 270, and 360 min postprandially. Results reveal higher baseline serum Zn and plasma lycopene concentrations in the young group, whereas Cu, Se, Cu/Zn ratio, 25(OH) vitamin D, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol were higher in old participants. Postprandial variability of Zn, vitamin C, and lycopene showed a strong time-dependency. Age-related differences in postprandial metabolism were observed for Se, Cu, and I. Nevertheless, most of the variance was explained by individuality. Despite some limitations, this study provides insights into postprandial micronutrient metabolism (in serum/plasma), emphasizing the need for further research for a comprehensive understanding of this complex field. Our discoveries offer valuable insights for designing targeted interventions to address and mitigate micronutrient deficiencies in older adults, fostering optimal health and well-being across the lifespan.

Genistein Supplementation and Bone Health in Breast Cancer in Rats.

The aim of our study was to analyse the effect of supplementation with various forms of genistein (nano-, micro-, and macro-) on the mineral status of rat femurs in conditions of DMBA-induced mammary gland neoplasia. Thirty-two 30-day-old Sprague Dawley rats were used in the study. The rats were divided into four experimental groups: a control group (without supplementation) and groups supplemented with nanosized (92 ± 41 nm), microsized (587 ± 83 nm), and macrosized genistein. Micromorphometric and histological examination of the rat femurs were performed, as well as analysis of the weight and mineral composition (17 elements). Quadrupole ICP-MS was used for analysis of all trace elements. Supplementation with genistein (nano-, micro-, and macro-) was shown to cause changes in the mineral composition of the bones. In the rats receiving nanogenistein, disintegration of the bone tissue was observed. The femurs of these animals had higher content of calcium (by nearly 300%) and potassium (by 25%) than the other groups, while the level of magnesium was about 22% lower. In the case of microelements, there were increases in copper (by 67%), boron (48%), manganese (13%), and nickel (100%), and a 16% decrease in strontium compared to the bones of rats without genistein supplementation. Changes in micromorphometric parameters, resulting in increased bone fragility, were observed. Administration of genistein was found to have an effect on the amount of trace elements in the bone tissue of rats with breast cancer.

Distribution of acid-volatile sulfides and simultaneously extracted metals in Guanabara Bay: combination of anthropogenic, sedimentological, and geochemical processes.

Coastal sedimentary systems are affected by continental and marine metal pollutant inputs associated with different hydrodynamic characteristics and geochemical processes. These include the formation of acid-volatile sulfides (AVS) within sediments, which affects metal bioavailability and associated aquatic biota toxicity risks. Physicochemical changes in these environments in the face of extreme natural or man-made environmental influences can dramatically alter metal bioavailability and toxicity through metal binding and immobilization as insoluble sulfides. Surface sediments from Guanabara Bay, river mouths, and two mangrove areas were collected, and AVS and simultaneously extracted metals Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn and ΣSEM were determined to assess sediment quality. A severe eutrophication history favored AVS concentrations exceeding or close to the sum-SEM concentrations, demonstrating that AVS play an important role in making trace metals unavailable for assimilation by living organisms, mitigating the risks of contamination for the local biota. This eutrophication-driven sulfide accumulation may attenuate the sediment toxicity in sites heavily polluted by metals, while some fewer eutrophic sites became more exposed to metals in excess to AVS.