Elemental and Radiological Characterisation of Arbutus unedo L. Leaves and Tea: Impact of Preparation Method on Nutritional Risk/Benefit.

The aim of this study was to characterise the elemental and radiological composition of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaves and tea preparations and compare it with commercial Uvin H herbal mixture, widely used in treatment of urinary tract infections. The concentration of 17 elements and the activity concentration of selected radionuclides were measured in strawberry tree leaves/Uvin H herbal mixture, as well as in herbal tea prepared by infusion or decoction of leaves for 5 or 10 min. In both leaves and tea preparations, Ca, K, Mg, and Na were the most abundant elements, while the lowest levels were measured for As, Co, Mo, and Se. Only 137Cs and 40K were detected in analysed leaves/herbal mixture, while the activity of radionuclides in tea preparations was below the detection limit. The maximum possible health benefits can be obtained by a 10-min decoction of leaves, which resulted in the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity and levels of K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, and Se in comparison to the other preparation methods evaluated in this study. The calculated intake of potentially toxic elements and radionuclides does not represent a health risk to consumers.

Development of a solid phase microextraction method for the determination of nicotine in dried mushrooms.

Official control of EU market foodstuffs repeatedly reports high nicotine levels in dried wild mushrooms without any clear scientific consensus about their origin. The advised constant monitoring calls for improvements to existing methods. For this purpose, our aim was to develop a headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) method coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS) that would eliminate the need for extensive sample pre-treatment. The type of fiber coating, amount of sample, extraction temperature and time, desorption time and salt addition were investigated and optimized as parameters affecting the SPME procedure. The optimized conditions were used to validate a quantitative method for nicotine analysis by matrix-matched calibration and isotopically labelled internal standard correction. The method provided good linearity (r2 = 0.9994) over the tested concentration range (0.025-1 mg kg-1), low detection limit (0.005 mg kg-1) and low quantification limit (0.017 mg kg-1) for nicotine, being below the EU foodstuff regulations. For both of the tested concentration levels (0.050 and 0.200 mg kg-1), precision expressed as relative standard deviation was below 10% (4.5% and 8.5%, respectively), while accuracy was 98.2% and 100.3%. The optimized method was then used to determine nicotine levels in 18 samples of dried Boletus mushrooms from southeastern European countries entering the EU market. We demonstrated our HS-SPME procedure to be fast, simple, sensitive, solvent-free, cost-effective and thus suitable for controlling consumer safety regarding nicotine level in dried mushrooms.

Effects of Maternal Cigarette Smoking on Trace Element Levels and Steroidogenesis in the Maternal-Placental-Fetal Unit.

This study evaluates the interaction of toxic elements cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) due to exposure from cigarette smoking, essential elements, and steroidogenesis in the maternal-placental-fetal unit. In a cohort of 155 healthy, postpartum women with vaginal term deliveries in clinical hospitals in Zagreb, Croatia, samples of maternal blood/serum and urine, placental tissue, and umbilical cord blood/serum were collected at childbirth. The biomarkers determined were concentrations of Cd, Pb, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se), and steroid hormones progesterone and estradiol in maternal and umbilical cord blood and the placenta. Three study groups were designated based on self-reported data on cigarette smoking habits and confirmed by urine cotinine levels: never smokers (n = 71), former smokers (n = 48), and active smokers (n = 36). Metal(loid)s, steroid hormones, urine cotinine, and creatinine levels were analyzed by ICP-MS, ELISA, GC-MS, and spectrophotometry. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy was associated with increased Cd levels in maternal, placental, and fetal compartments, Pb in the placenta, and with decreased Fe in the placenta. In active smokers, decreased progesterone and estradiol concentrations in cord blood serum were found, while sex steroid hormones did not change in either maternal serum or placenta. This study provides further evidence regarding toxic and essential metal(loid) interactions during prenatal life, and new data on sex steroid disruption in cord serum related to cigarette smoking. The results indicate that umbilical cord sex steroid levels may be a putative early marker of developmental origins of the future burden of disease related to harmful prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke.

Stress and reproductive hormones in hair associated with contaminant metal(loid)s of European brown bear (Ursus arctos).

Environmental contaminants like arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) or lead (Pb) may disrupt hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes due to their endocrine toxicity potential. Resulting long-term physiological stress or adverse effects on wildlife reproduction and ontogeny may cause detrimental effects at the individual and population levels. However, data on environmental metal(loid)s' impact on reproductive and stress hormones in wildlife, especially large terrestrial carnivores, are scarce. Hair cortisol, progesterone and testosterone concentrations were quantified and modelled with hair As, Cd, total Hg, Pb, biological, environmental and sampling factors to test for potential effects in free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) from Croatia (N = 46) and Poland (N = 27). Testosterone in males (N = 48) and females (N = 25) showed positive associations with Hg and an interaction between Cd and Pb, but a negative association with interaction between age and Pb. Higher testosterone was found in hair during its growth phase compared to quiescent phase. Body condition index was negatively associated with hair cortisol and positively associated with hair progesterone. Year and conditions of sampling were important for cortisol variation, while maturity stage for progesterone variation (lower concentrations in cubs and yearlings compared to subadult and adult bears). These findings suggest that environmental levels of Cd, Hg and Pb might influence the HPG axis in brown bears. Hair was shown to be a reliable non-invasive sample for investigating hormonal fluctuations in wildlife while addressing individual and sampling specificities.

High Growing Temperature Changes Nutritional Value of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. convar. botrytis (L.) Alef. var. cymosa Duch.) Seedlings.

High temperature (HT) causes physiological and biochemical changes in plants, which may influence their nutritional potential. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional value of broccoli seedlings grown at HT on the level of phytochemicals, macro- and microelements, antioxidant capacity, and their extracts' in vitro cytotoxicity. Total phenols, soluble sugars, carotenoids, quercetin, sinapic, ferulic, p-coumaric, and gallic acid were induced by HT. Contrarily, total flavonoids, flavonols, phenolic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, proteins, glucosinolates, chlorophyll a and b, and porphyrins were reduced. Minerals As, Co, Cr, Hg, K, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, and Sn increased at HT, while Ca, Cd, Cu, Mg, Mn, and P decreased. ABTS, FRAP, and ß-carotene bleaching assay showed higher antioxidant potential of seedlings grown at HT, while DPPH showed the opposite. Hepatocellular carcinoma cells were the most sensitive toward broccoli seedling extracts. The significant difference between control and HT-grown broccoli seedling extracts was recorded in mouse embryonal fibroblasts and colorectal carcinoma cells. These results show that the temperature of seedling growth is a critical factor for their nutritional value and the biological effects of their extracts and should definitely be taken into account when growing seedlings for food purposes.

90Sr and stable element levels in bones of brown bears: long-term trends in bear populations from Croatia and Poland.

The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal trends and geographical differences in 90Sr and stable element (Ba, Ca, Mn, Sr, Pb, Zn) levels in the bones of Croatian and Polish brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations. Experimental data suggest that in the decades after nuclear weapon tests and the Chernobyl accident, 90Sr bone activity concentrations decreased from 352 to 11 Bq kg-1 in the Croatian bear population (period 1982-2015) and from 831 to 27 Bq kg-1 in Polish bears (period 1962-2020). Calculated effective and ecological half-lives were 9 and 13 years for Croatian bears, and 15 and 31 years for Polish bears, respectively. Different temporal trends were noted in levels of Ba, Mn, Pb and Zn between the two countries with majority of bones having lower Pb, Sr and Zn in Croatian than in Polish bears. Estimated values for the soil-to-bear transfer of 90Sr were the same order of magnitude in the studied populations. Contrary to this, the estimated transfer of stable Sr was an order of magnitude lower for the Croatian bear population compared to Polish bears. The observed differences in soil-to-bear transfer between stable Sr and 90Sr found for Croatian bears might suggest the need for careful consideration on the use of stable Sr data as an analogue for 90Sr. To our knowledge, this is the first study that analysed 90Sr activity in tissue of brown bears. As such, it provides insight into the fate and behaviour of one of the most relevant anthropogenic radionuclides at the top of the food chain.

Characterization of Rare Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera Royle) Honey from Croatia.

Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera Royle) is an invasive garden ornamental plant species originating from Asia, which produces significant amounts of nectar. In Croatia, it is widely distributed along the banks of the Mura River. Although this plant species is widespread in Europe, there are still no available scientific data about this unifloral honey type. The results showed that Himalayan balsam honey is characterized by the high presence of pollen grains in the pollen spectrum (59−85%), natural higher diastase activity (39.1 ± 7.98 DN), negative specific rotation (−21.2° ± 6.89) and an extra light amber color (48.5 ± 12.69 mm Pfund). The carbohydrate profile is characterized by monosaccharides fructose (39.34 ± 0.65 g/100 g) and glucose (31.91 ± 1.42 g/100 g) with a ratio >1.23, while the most commonly represented disaccharide was maltose (3.04 ± 0.79 g/100 g). The average total phenolic content was 130.97 ± 11.17 mg gallic acid/kg honey, and the average antioxidant capacity value was 225.38 ± 29.58 µM Fe(II). The major mineral element was K, with an average of 533.92 ± 139.70 mg/kg. The sensory profile was characteristic with a light orange color and medium-intensity odor and aroma. The crystallization rate was moderate and characterized by the appearance of opalescence and gelatinous forms of crystals. The results of this study provide the first insight into the melissopalynological, physico-chemical and sensory profile of Himalayan balsam honey.

Spatio-temporal monitoring of mercury and other stable metal(loid)s and radionuclides in a Croatian terrestrial ecosystem around a natural gas treatment plant.

The natural gas industry bears a certain contamination risk to human and biota due to, among others, mercury, arsenic, and naturally occurring radioactive material content in gas. We tracked multiple stabile metal(loid)s and radionuclides within the natural gas treatment plant Molve, Croatia, ecosystem during the last decade through a comprehensive monitoring of soil, earthworms, moss, livestock (blood, milk, hair, urine, and feces from cows), and wildlife animals (brain, muscle, liver, and kidney of European hare and pheasant). The level of mercury and other stable metal(loid)s has shown temporal variation, but without an obvious trend. The found spatial differences in soil and earthworms were based on the differing soil characteristics of the sampled locations and exceeded the maximal allowable concentration of arsenic and zinc for agricultural soil. The status of essential copper, selenium, and zinc in cows, hares, and pheasants inclined towards deficiency. The measured stable metal(loid) levels in soil and animal samples were generally in the same range of values reported in earlier decades from the same area or non-polluted areas across Europe. The consumption of local cow and game products (e.g., milk, meat) can be considered safe for human health, although game offal is advised to be avoided as a food item due to the low risk of lead and cadmium's adverse effects. Although the activity concentrations of some radionuclides in moss were higher than reported for pristine areas, transfer from soil to moss was assessed as average (except for lead-210). Radiological risk to human and biota around the gas treatment plant Molve was estimated as negligible.

Lead and Other Trace Element Levels in Brains of Croatian Large Terrestrial Carnivores: Influence of Biological and Ecological Factors.

Trace element pollution can adversely affect the brains of individuals and thus impact the entire population of apex predators, such as large European carnivores. We assessed exposure to prominent neurotoxicants As, Cd, Hg and Pb by measuring their brain stem levels in brown bears (n = 114), grey wolves (n = 8), Eurasian lynx (n = 3), and golden jackals (n = 2) sampled in 2015-2022 in Croatia. The highest of the non-essential elements was the Pb level in the bears' brains (median, Q1-Q3; 11.1, 7.13-24.1 µg/kg wet mass), with 4% of animals, all subadults, exceeding the established normal bovine levels (100 µg/kg wet mass). Species-specific differences were noted for Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Se brain levels. Female brown bears had higher As brain levels than males. Cubs and yearlings had lower brain Cd, but higher Zn, while subadults had higher Cu than adult bears. Hepatic As, Cd, Cu and Hg levels were shown to be a moderate proxy for estimating brain levels in bears (rS = 0.30-0.69). Multiple associations of As, Cd, Hg and Pb with essential elements pointed to a possible interaction and disturbance of brain Ca, Cu, Fe, Se and Zn homeostasis. Non-essential element levels in the brains of four studied species were lower than reported earlier for terrestrial meso-carnivores and humans. The age and sex of animals were highlighted as essential factors in interpreting brain element levels in ecotoxicological studies of large carnivores.

Difference in pesticides, trace metal(loid)s and drug residues between certified organic and conventional honeys from Croatia.

Quality and safety of food, including honey, is one of the leading priorities regarding residues of anthropogenic chemicals with proven adverse health effects. In total, 61 honey samples of known botanical origin were collected in period 2018-2019 from Croatian registered organic and conventional beekeepers (N = 16 organic and N = 45 conventional honey samples). Eleven trace metal(loid)s (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn; quantitated by ICP-MS), 24 antibiotics (LC-MS/MS, ELISA, microbiological inhibition test), six indicator PCBs (GC-MS/MS) and 121 pesticides (LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS) originating from environment and/or beekeeping practice were measured to assess possible differences in contaminant residues between organic and conventional honeys. All honey samples had contaminant residues below the legal maximum levels and are considered safe for consumers. However, 2/16 organic and 34/45 conventional honeys contained one or two synthetic acaricides (most frequently coumaphos), while other pesticides, antibiotics and PCBs were not quantified. Also, organic honey contained lower levels of coumaphos, amitraz and amitraz metabolite N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl) formamide than conventional honeys, on average. Higher levels of Cr (p = 0.006) were detected in organic compared to conventional chestnut honeys. This study pinpointed beehive disease control treatment as prominent pesticide residue source, which was to some extent reduced in organic honeys. Quantified pesticide and metal(loid) levels were within range or lower than reported in recent literature regarding honey of the same botanical origin.

Cigarette Smoking during Pregnancy: Effects on Antioxidant Enzymes, Metallothionein and Trace Elements in Mother-Newborn Pairs.

The effect of maternal smoking as a source of exposure to toxic metals Cd and Pb on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, metallothionein (MT), Cd, Pb, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se and Zn concentrations were assessed in maternal and umbilical cord blood and placenta in 74 healthy mother-newborn pairs after term delivery. Sparse discriminant analysis (SDA) was used to identify elements with the strongest impact on the SOD, GPx and MT in the measured compartments, which was then quantified by multiple regression analysis. SOD activity was lower in maternal and cord plasma, and higher in the placenta of smokers compared to non-smokers, whereas GPx activity and MT concentration did not differ between the groups. Although active smoking during pregnancy contributed to higher maternal Cd and Pb concentrations, its contribution to the variability of SOD, GPx or MT after control for other elements identified by SDA was not significant. However, an impaired balance in the antioxidant defence observed in the conditions of relatively low-to-moderate exposure levels to Cd and Pb could contribute to an increased susceptibility of offspring to oxidative stress and risk of disease development later in life. Further study on a larger number of subjects will help to better understand complex interactions between exposure to toxic elements and oxidative stress related to maternal cigarette smoking.

Metal(loid) exposure assessment and biomarker responses in captive and free-ranging European brown bear (Ursus arctos).

We investigated the level of five non-essential metal(loid)s (As, Cd, Hg, Tl, Pb) and nine essential metals (Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo) in hair and blood components of captive and free-ranging European brown bear populations in Croatia and Poland. Metal(loid) associations with biomarkers of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, SOD; glutathione-peroxidase, GSH-Px; malondialdehyde, MDA) and metal exposure (metallothionein, MT) were estimated in this top predatory mammal. Lead was the most abundant non-essential metal(loid) in both blood and hair, with 4 of 35 individuals having blood levels over 100 µg/L. A positive association was found between Pb level and SOD activity in blood. Free-ranging bears had higher blood SOD activity, Mn, Zn and Cd levels, hair Co, Cd, Tl and Pb compared to captive individuals, while the opposite was true for Mg and hair Ca thereby reflecting habitat and diet differences. With increasing age, animals showed lower levels of SOD activity and certain essential metals. Females had higher SOD activity and blood levels of some essential metals than males. Hair showed a higher Fe and Co level when sampled during the growth phase and was not predictive of non-essential metal(loid) blood levels. The established metal(loid) baseline values will enable future risk assessment in both captive and wild European brown bear populations.

Barbary sheep tissues as bioindicators of radionuclide and stabile element contamination in Croatia: exposure assessment for consumers.

Muscle, liver and kidney of 21 Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) from Mosor Mountain, Croatia, were sampled to quantify the activity of caesium and potassium radionuclides and five toxic and ten essential stabile elements in order to establish reference values for this species and to evaluate the potential of Barbary sheep tissues to reflect environmental pollution. We also assessed seasonal diet (botanical composition and dry matter content) of Barbary sheep based on analyses of a rumen content of culled animals. None of the 19 plant species (mostly grasses) identified as part of the Barbary sheep diet is known as a stabile element or radionuclide hyperaccumulator. Measured levels reflected low environmental pollution with arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead, with levels generally less than those reported for wild herbivorous ungulates. Methodological differences (detection limit of elements in muscle) were shown to hamper interpretation and comparison of the Toxic Contamination Index (TCI) values with those published for other species. There was no homeostasis disturbance of trace elements in Barbary sheep, either due to inadequate intake via food or as an adverse effect due to a high toxic metal(loid) burden. Consumption of the muscle and liver of wild Barbary sheep can be considered safe for the health of adult consumers regarding toxic metal(loid)s and radioactive caesium, though the liver should be avoided as a food item in vulnerable population groups due to the possible adverse effects of cadmium and lead. Otherwise, muscle and liver are a rich source of copper, iron, selenium and zinc for consumers and, as such, can benefit the overall dietary intake of essential elements.

Trace and macro elements in the femoral bone as indicators of long-term environmental exposure to toxic metals in European brown bear (Ursus arctos) from Croatia.

We explored the long-term accumulation of aluminium, strontium, cadmium and lead in the compact and trabecular bone of the femoral epiphysis, metaphysis and diaphysis in 41 brown bears (Ursus arctos) from Croatia. Also, we assessed their influence on macro and trace elements (sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc and barium) in bears' bone. There were no sex differences in element levels in general, while age was associated with bone length and levels of all elements, except for cadmium. Elements had different levels depending on the part of the bone sampled. More pronounced differences were observed between the compact and trabecular regions, with higher levels of majority of elements found in compact bone. Moderate to high associations (Spearman coefficient, rS = 0.59-0.97) were confirmed between calcium and potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, cobalt, zinc, strontium and lead. Lead levels in the bone were below those known to cause adverse health effects, but in 4 of 41 animals they exceeded baseline levels for domestic animals. The femoral bone of the brown bear reflected the accumulative nature of lead and strontium well, as it did the impairment of bone-forming essential element levels associated with these two elements. However, the distribution pattern of elements along the bone was not uniform, so additional care should be taken when choosing on the part of the bone sampled.

Multi-elemental composition and antioxidant properties of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) honey from the coastal region of Croatia: Risk-benefit analysis.

The concentration of 23 major and trace elements, total phenolic content (TPC) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity were determined in nine samples of strawberry tree honey and compared to other types of unifloral honeys. The most abundant elements in strawberry tree honey were potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium, ranging between 1276 and 2367, 95.2-154, 14.4-74.4 and 13.4-64.3mg/kg, respectively. Strawberry tree honey had generally higher TPC (range: 0.314-0.522g GA/kg) and DPPH (1.94-4.45mM TE/kg) compared to other analysed unifloral honeys. A strong positive relationship was found between TPC and DPPH, TPC and concentration of homogentisic acid (HGA), chemical marker of strawberry tree honey, and between DPPH and HGA. Regarding daily intake of essential elements, strawberry tree honey can be considered nutritionally richer than the majority of unifloral honeys available in Croatia, while contribution to tolerable intake set for potentially toxic elements was very low, corresponding to pristine areas.

Sexual Maturity and Life Stage Influences Toxic Metal Accumulation in Croatian Brown Bears.

The influence of reproductive and (early) life stages on toxic metal levels was investigated in the brown bear (Ursus arctos), the largest mammalian predator species in Croatia. The purpose was to examine critical clusters in a population that might be at a higher risk of adverse health effects caused by metals as environmental contaminants. Levels of cadmium, mercury and lead in muscle, liver and kidney cortex of 325 male and 139 female bears, quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, were analysed according to distinct bear life stages (young: cub, yearling, subadult; mature: adult). Metal levels did not differ among sexes in young animals (< 4 years), except for mercury in muscles (higher in females), and adult females had higher cadmium and mercury. A trend of renal cadmium accumulation with age in immature male animals disappeared once they reached maturity, whereas for females this trend has only slowly declined in mature compared to immature bears. In early life stage (< 1 year), bear cubs had lower cadmium, comparable mercury, and higher lead in the kidneys than the bears of the following age category (yearlings). Due to a higher proportion of renal lead transfer from the mother to the cub compared with cadmium, it may be that the high burden of cadmium found in kidneys of older females has lower toxicological concern for their cubs than the lead content. Sex, reproductive, and life stages of bears were confirmed as important in assessing toxic metal burden.

Apex predatory mammals as bioindicator species in environmental monitoring of elements in Dinaric Alps (Croatia).

Tissue element investigations of apex terrestrial mammals are very scarce in Europe. We quantified 16 essential and nonessential elements in the kidney cortex, liver, and muscle tissue of 467 brown bears (Ursus arctos), 125 gray wolves (Canis lupus), one Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), and three golden jackals (Canis aureus) from Croatia by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Renal cadmium (0.6% of animals) and lead (1%) and hepatic lead (5%) were found in toxicologically relevant levels for mammals only in bears, while the other elements were within normal range. The association of age, sex, season, and region with measured tissue elements in bear and wolf was estimated by multiple regression analyses. Age-related accumulation of cadmium was observed in bears and wolves. Lead tissue content increased with the age of bears but declined in wolves. Female bears and wolves had higher arsenic, iron, and thallium than males in some tissues. Also, cadmium, mercury, copper, zinc, selenium, molybdenum, and uranium were more abundant only in female bears. Male bears had higher potassium, zinc, and magnesium, while male wolves had higher calcium in some tissues compared to female wolves. Seasonal differences were mainly observed for bears' tissues and region-specific differences only in wolves. The bear kidneys had the highest levels of cobalt, copper, molybdenum, cadmium, and lead among the four studied species. The element levels reported for bears and wolves represent baseline values for the Dinaric population.

Metallothionein, essential elements and lipid peroxidation in mercury-exposed suckling rats pretreated with selenium.

Detoxification of mercury (Hg) with selenium (Se) in the early postnatal period with regard to the expression of metallothionein protein (MT), essential element status, and lipid peroxidation level in tissues has not been studied. Seven-day-old Wistar pups were orally pretreated with Se [6 µmol Na2SeO3/kg body weight (b.w.)] for 3 days and then cotreated with Hg (6 µmol HgCl2/kg b.w.) for the following 4 days. This group (Se + Hg) was compared to the groups treated with Hg, Se, or vehicle (control). Compared to the Hg-group, Se + Hg-group exhibited lower renal MT expression, reduced accumulation of Hg, Cu and Zn, and reduced excretion of Se, Hg and Zn in urine. In the liver, MT was stimulated by Se treatment in both, Se and Se + Hg-group. Hepatic and brain levels of the endogenous essential elements Cu, Fe, Mg, and Zn remained unchanged in all of the studied groups. Brain Hg levels and oxidation of lipids measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were diminished in Se + Hg-group of pups compared to the Hg-group. This study suggests that Se pretreatment can help reduce Hg in the tissues of suckling rats, simultaneously preventing impairment of essential element levels in the kidneys and their excessive excretion via urine. Also, Se was shown to prevent oxidative damage of lipids in the brain, which is particularly susceptible to Hg during the early postnatal period.

Cadmium, lead, and mercury exposure assessment among croatian consumers of free-living game.

Free-living game can be an important source of dietary cadmium and lead; the question is whether exposure to these two elements is such that it might cause adverse health effects in the consumers. The aim of this study was to estimate dietary exposure to cadmium, lead, and mercury from free-living big game (fallow deer, roe deer, red deer, wild boar, and brown bear), and to mercury from small game (pheasant and hare), hunted in Croatia from 1990 to 2012. The exposure assessment was based on available literature data and our own measurements of metal levels in the tissues of the game, by taking into account different consumption frequencies (four times a year, once a month and once a week). Exposure was expressed as percentage of (provisional) tolerable weekly intake [(P)TWI] values set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Consumption of game meat (0.002-0.5 % PTWI) and liver (0.005-6 % PTWI) assumed for the general population (four times a year) does not pose a health risk to consumers from the general population, nor does monthly (0.02-6 % PTWI) and weekly (0.1-24 % PTWI) consumption of game meat. However, because of the high percentage of free-living game liver and kidney samples exceeding the legislative limits for cadmium (2-99 %) and lead (1-82 %), people should keep the consumption of certain game species' offal as low as possible. Children and pregnant and lactating women should avoid eating game offal altogether. Free-living game liver could be an important source of cadmium if consumed on a monthly basis (3-74 % TWI), and if consumed weekly (11-297 % TWI), it could even give rise to toxicological concern.