Arsenic toxicity following Ayurvedic medication

Alternative forms of medicine like Ayurveda have witnessed a rise in global popularity over the recent decades. Drugs used in Ayurveda, particularly those of mineral origin can lead to toxic effects due to heavy metal overdose. Here, we report the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with glove-and-stocking paresthesia and scaly plaques following the institution of Ayurvedic drugs containing arsenic for dermatitis. She also had a loss of distal proprioception and a hyperesthetic response to pinprick. Her blood analysis showed elevated arsenic levels; 12 times the acceptable upper limit, with normal lead, cadmium, mercury, and chromium levels. The drug was immediately stopped and there was a gradual but incomplete resolution of the paresthesia and distal weakness over the next several months. The risk of heavy metal toxicity should be briefed to the patient before the start of mineral Ayurvedic drugs. Monitoring serum levels while on these medications might help identify toxicities early and can result in the commencement of therapy at an early stage

Heavy metal accumulation in Trichogaster fasciata (Bloch & Schneider) from the river Ganges and its tributaries: A health concern for fish-consuming populations

Accumulation of metal in fish flesh is increasing because of heavy metal pollution in rivers of India, which poses significant threat to the consumers’ health. Here, we studied the concentrations of heavy metals [cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn)] in the muscle tissues of Banded or Striped gourami, Trichogaster fasciata Bloch & Schneider collected from the river Ganges and its tributaries in order to assess the risk the consumers are put to. The order of metal accumulation (Zn>Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd) was found to be the same in both the fish muscle and the water samples. Significant values of correlation of coefficient (R = 0.9184-0.9612) of length-weight relationship and mean condition factor ranging between 1.876-2.420 g/cm3 of different populations of the fish were recorded. All metal concentration was negatively correlated with the fish size and condition factor except Zn in Ghaghara and Yamuna (P <0.05) and Pb in the Ganges (P <0.05) and Yamuna (P <0.001). Estimated daily intakes by the fish-eating inhabitants were lower than the maximum tolerable daily intake value except for that of Zn. The target hazard quotient and health index showed that intake of these heavy metals was quite safe by the fish consuming local populations including both the male and females. This study could be used as an essential piece of information for the management purposes of river Ganga to prevent heavy metal pollution and risk associated with it.

Cadmio y alteraciones morfológicas en el rotífero Philodina cf. roseola (Bdelloidea: Philodinidae) y el gusano Aeolosoma hemprichi (Annelida: Aeolosomatidae)

El cadmio es un metal tóxico que produce deformaciones en el zooplancton y es considerado un peligro para el ambiente y la vida acuática. Por ello, utilizamos dos especies de zooplancton nativas de Quintana Roo, México para obtener datos sobre la toxicidad de cadmio, incluyendo la concentración umbral para alteraciones morfológicas observables y el porcentaje de organismos con alteraciones morfológicas en las concentraciones de exposición. Utilizamos el rotífero Philodina cf roseola y el oligoqueto Aeolosoma hemprichi, ya que ambos se alimentan del alga Nannochloropsis oculata. Seguidamente, ambas especies de animales fueron expuestas a un rango de concentración de cadmio de 0.05 (0.047 mg/l, concentración real) a 10.0 mg/l (9.398 mg/l, concentración real) durante 24 h. El CL50 para cadmio en P. cf roseola fue de 0.7 mg/l (0.65 mg/l, concentración real), mientras que en A. hemprichi fue de 3.38 mg/l (3.17 mg/l, concentración real). El cadmio a concentraciones de 0.5 mg/l (0.47 mg/l, concentración real) y exposición menor a 24 h, por un lado, indujo alteraciones morfológicas en la lorica de los rotíferos, deformaciones del pie y constricciones en la parte media del cuerpo. En oligoquetos, por otro lado, observamos daños en la epidermis. La concentración umbral donde las deformaciones aparecieron en rotíferos fue 0.3 mg/l (0.28 mg/l, concentración real) a las 24 h, mientras que en oligoquetos fue a 0.5 mg/l (0.47 mg/l concentración real) en 30 min. Concluimos que claramente el cadmio promueve alteraciones morfológicas en organismos acuáticos, debido a la exposición directa que se añade al medio de cultivo.

Cadmium is a toxic metal for zooplankton that produces deformations. It is also considered an environmental hazard to aquatic life. Since it has a significant effect in some marine organisms, we used two native zooplankton species from Quintana Roo, Mexico to obtain data regarding cadmium toxicity including the threshold concentration for observable morphological alterations and the percentage of organisms with morphological alterations at the exposure concentrations. We used the rotifer Philodina cf roseola and the oligochaeta Aeolosoma hemprichi, since both feed from the algae Nannochloropsis oculata. Both animals were exposed to a cadmium concentration range from 0.05 mg/l (0.047 mg/l, real concentration) to 10.0 mg/l (9.39 mg/l, real concentration) for 24 h. The LC50 for cadmium in P. cf roseola was 0.7 mg/l (0.65 mg/l, real concentration), whereas in A. hemprichi was 3.38 mg/l (3.17 mg/l, real concentration). The exposure of cadmium at 0.5 mg/l (0.47 mg/l, real concentration) for less than 24 h induced morphological alterations in the lorica of rotifers, foot deformations, and constriction in the middle part of the body. In oligochaetes, damage to the epidermis was noted. The threshold concentration where deformations appeared in rotifer was 0.3 mg/l at 24 h, while in oligochaeta was 0.5 mg/l (0.47 mg/l, real concentration) at 30 min. We concluded that cadmium promotes alterations in aquatic organisms due to direct exposure added to the culture medium.

Advances in reproductive toxicity of uranium and its mechanism / 局解手术学杂志

Objective Uranium, as a heavy metal material, has been used in civil and military activities in China, but it has also caused environmental pollution and human injury.In order to understand and mitigate this injury, scholars studied the damage effect of uranium through building animal models, and found that when uranium enters the animal body, it will accumulate in the body and cause damage to the body, among which the main accumulation organs are kidneys, bones, reproductive organs and so on.Sensitive organs of the role of reproductive organs is uranium, which attracted the attention of the experts, and expand the uranium exposed reproductive toxicity research.They found that the degree of toxicity of uranium is related to the time, dose and mode of uranium exposure, under certain exposure conditions, by changing the sex hormone levels in vivo, the expression of genes or proteins related to the reproductive disorders and excessive produce the mechanism, such as oxidative stress on the toxicity effect, decrease of childbirth pregnant, related to germ cell pathological histology change, and produce genetic reproductive toxicity to the offspring etc., which affect the reproductive system function, damage the health of the body.

Influence of zinc deficiency on the mineral composition of maize plants in contrasting soils / Influência da deficiência de zinco na composição mineral de plantas de milho em solos contrastantes

In Brazil, Zn deficiency is common in soils used for maize cultivation. However, the changes in the mineral composition in plants with Zn deficiency have been little studied. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between Zn deficiency and the mineral composition in the parts of maize plants grown under contrasting soils. Maize was grown in greenhouse conditions with increasing of Zn rate (0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg kg-1) in two soils (Ferralsol and Cambisol). After 60 days of emergence, the plant were separated into roots, stalk nodes, stalk internodes, leaves and leaf sheath, and subsequently determined the dry matter and mineral composition (P, Ca, Mg, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu and Al). Besides the symptoms commonly described for Zn deficiency, darkening of the stalk nodes was found (related to the preferential accumulation of Fe), and also occurred maize P deficiency in the Ferralsol. The Zn deficiency favored increasing concentrations of Fe, Mn and Al in all parts of maize plants in Cambisol, whereas in Ferralsol this did not happen for any of the elements analyzed. Relations between the elements and Zn were more correlated with maize dry matter production than Zn concentrations in leaves, leaf sheaths and stalk nodes. In conclusion, the accumulation of minerals in maize was favored by Zn deficiency, especially for maize in Cambisol.

No Brasil, a deficiência de Zn é comum em solos utilizados para o cultivo do milho. Contudo, as mudanças na composição mineral das plantas resultantes da deficiência de Zn têm sido pouco estudadas. Assim, esse estudo objetiva avaliar a relação entre a deficiência de Zn e a composição mineral nas partes de plantas de milho cultivadas em solos contrastantes. O milho foi cultivado em casa de vegetação com doses crescentes de Zn (0; 0,125; 0,25; 0,5 e 1,0 mg kg-1) em dois solos (Latossolo e Cambissolo). Após 60 dias da emergência, as plantas foram fracionadas em raízes, nós do colmo, entrenós do colmo, folhas e bainha das folhas, sendo, posteriormente, determinadas a matéria seca e a composição mineral (P, Ca, Mg, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu e Al). Além dos sintomas comumente descritos para deficiência de Zn, constatou-se escurecimento dos nós do colmo (relacionado ao acúmulo preferencial de Fe), sendo que no Latossolo também ocorreu deficiência de P. A deficiência de Zn favoreceu o aumento das concentrações de Fe, Mn e Al em todas as partes das plantas de milho no Cambissolo, enquanto que no Latossolo isso não ocorreu para nenhum dos elementos analisados. As relações entre os elementos e o Zn foram mais correlacionadas com a produção de matéria seca do milho que as concentrações de Zn em folhas, bainhas das folhas e nós do colmo. Pode-se inferir que a acumulação de minerais no milho foi favorecida pela deficiência de Zn, principalmente no Cambissolo.

Granulomatous Lung Disease: A Novel Complication following Metallosis from Hip Arthroplasty / 대한고관절학회지

A case of a female patient with local and systemic complications of metallosis, following catastrophic wear of a revised hip arthroplasty, is presented. The patient had a history of a fractured ceramic-on-ceramic implant, exchanged with a metal-on-polyethylene prosthesis. Systemic complications included sarcoidosis-like reactions, presenting as granulomatous lung disease, along with chorioretinitis, erythema nodosum, and cardiomyopathy. High local and circulating cobalt and chromium levels established the diagnosis. The patient underwent extensive debridement and implant revision. One year postoperatively, she had no respiratory symptoms or functional impairment. Local and systemic complications of metallosis after hip arthroplasty should be promptly recognized and treated operatively.

Phosphorus amendment competitively prevents chromium uptake and mitigates its toxicity in Spinacea oleracea L.

In this study, we assessed the role of phosphorus in preventing chromium uptake by plants. Two-factor complete randomized pot experiment (5x5 pattern) was conducted hydroponically with Spinacea oleracea L. (spinach), for 28 days in green house. Five concentrations of Cr (2.0, 3.5, 5.0, 6.5 and 8.0 mM), each amended with five concentrations of phosphorus (25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mM) were supplied. With the phosphorus amendment in the growth medium, accumulation of chromium decreased up to 55% in root and 50% in shoot tissues. A 1.8-fold enhancement in total chlorophyll and 2-fold increase in the biomass of root and shoot were observed due to phosphorus amendment. Levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and malondialdehyde were reduced by 27, 11.7, 38.1 and 45.5% in root tissues; and 27, 17.4, 32.3 and 35.1%, in shoot tissues, respectively. In conclusion, the phosphorus amendment has been shown not only to moderate the Cr-toxicity in S. oleracea but also enrich chlorophyll content as well as the biomass.

Effect of Consumption of Heavy Metals Contaminated Fish (Tilapia Oreochromis) on Metabolic Parameters in Rabbits.

This research paper presents the biochemical effect of the consumption of heavy metals contaminated fish on metabolic parameters in rabbit. Total glucose, cholesterol, protein and levels of alkaline phosphate, alkaline aminotransferase (ALT) together with aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the serum were measured. Compared with the control a significant decrease of total protein and total cholesterol (p< 0.01) was ascertained in the serum of the experimental groups. Total glucose level was level was significantly increased in the serum of the experimental (p< 0.01). The values of alkaline phosphate, ALT and AST significantly increased in the serum of the groups. The above results on the biochemical consumption profile indicate the toxic effect of the consumption of these contaminated fishes in rabbits.

Aluminium exposure in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients: Experience of a single centre

Introduction: Aluminium exposure and toxicity are uncommon in humans. However it may occur in patients on long term haemodialysis (HD) due to water exposure during treatment. We retrospectively assessed the extent of aluminium exposure in our HD and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients from 2002 to 2008. Materials and Methods: The study population included 43 HD patients and 77 PD patients whose blood samples were collected at four monthly intervals. In addition, HD patients were also interviewed on lifestyle factors (aluminium cookware, diet, aluminium-containing medications and tap water consumption) that may impact on serum aluminium levels. Reverse osmosis (RO) water aluminium levels were also collected during this timeframe. Results: More patients on HD had readings above the accepted range (>0.01mg/L) than peritoneal dialysis (36.9% vs. 23.8%). The mean aluminium values for HD and PD patients were 63.35 ± 34.69μg/L and 38.34 ± 17.02μg/L respectively (p<0.05). Use of aluminium cookware was identified as a risk factor for high aluminium readings in HD patients. The trend of serum aluminium correlated with that of RO water aluminium during the studied period. There was no evidence of clinical toxicity in our patients during follow up. Conclusion: The study showed that HD patients are at a higher risk of aluminium toxicity compared to PD patients. Treated RO water aluminium should be analysed on a regular basis to prevent aluminium toxicity in HD patients. Lifestyle factors may have an impact on aluminium levels in patients with renal disease.

Uptake and accumulation of potentially toxic metals (Zn, Cu and Pb) in soils and plants of Durgapur industrial belt.

Uptake and accumulation of metals in crops may cause possible health risks through food chain. A field survey was conducted to investigate the accumulation of potentially toxic metals contamination in soil and plants irrigated with complexed industrial effluents. Concentration of Zn, Cu and Pb was 205-255, 101-130, 118-177 μg g-1 in rhizosphere soils and 116-223, 57-102 and 63-95 μg g-1 d. wt. in root and 95-186, 44-75 and 27-58 μg g-1 d. wt. in shoot, respectively. The trend in Cu and Pb was in the order: soil> root> shoot>seed while in Zn it was soil>root>seed>shoot. Roots accumulated a larger fraction of soil Cu (70%)> Zn (67%)> Pb (54%). Bioaccumulation coefficient of soil to root ranged from 51-98 for Zn, 54-85 for Cu and 43-63 for Pb. Analysis of variance showed marginal change in bioaccumulation coefficient, noticed between plants (p>0.05) while it varied significantly (p<0.01) between tissues and metals. It increased from root to seed/fruit (root > shoot > seed/fruit) while decreased between metals from Zn to Pb (Zn> Cu>Pb). Out of the three, two Cu and Pb accumulated to phyotoxic levels while Zn was within threshold limit of phytotoxicity.

Risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in soil and wild libyan jird, Meriones libycus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This study was undertaken to document the impact of heavy metal pollution on the Libyan jird, Meriones libycus and to contribute to an environmental impact statement for the rapidly growing City of Riyadh. All metal concentrations in surface soil of a polluted site (within Riyadh City) were higher than those from a reference site (outside the city). Although Pb declined versus earlier reports on Riyadh soil, Cd (0.97 Ag g-1) and Hg (0.28 Ag g-1) were above some of the most stringent quality guidelines (0.07- 0.62 Ag g-1 for Cd and 0.14- 0.18 Ag g-1 for Hg). Metal distribution in M. libycus proved site-related and organ-specific, recognizing a higher affinity of most tested metals towards the kidneys, liver and brain than the lung and heart. The comparatively lower sitespecific accumulation of Pb in soft tissues was attributed primarily to its major hypothetical accumulation in bones, whereas, the transition rate of Hg from the liver was suggested to be lower to the brain than to the kidneys. Although a non hazardous status was assumed for Cu (11.27-13.16 Ag g-1) and Hg (up to 0.207 Ag g-1) in tissues of M. libycus, a potential risk was imposed by mean tissue concentrations of Cd (up to 3.29 Ag g-1), Ni (up to 1.48 Ag g-1) and Pb (up to 1.94 Ag g-1). On the grounds of the significantly higher metal levels in polluted soft tissues versus reference subjects, Libyan jirds possess high exposure potential and can be useful biomonitors of environmental metal contamination.

Toxic effects of mercury, lead and gadolinium on vascular reactivity

Heavy metals have been used in a wide variety of human activities that have significantly increased both professional and environmental exposure. Unfortunately, disasters have highlighted the toxic effects of metals on different organs and systems. Over the last 50 years, the adverse effects of chronic lead, mercury and gadolinium exposure have been underscored. Mercury and lead induce hypertension in humans and animals, affecting endothelial function in addition to their other effects. Increased cardiovascular risk after exposure to metals has been reported, but the underlying mechanisms, mainly for short periods of time and at low concentrations, have not been well explored. The presence of other metals such as gadolinium has raised concerns about contrast-induced nephropathy and, interestingly, despite this negative action, gadolinium has not been defined as a toxic agent. The main actions of these metals, demonstrated in animal and human studies, are an increase of free radical production and oxidative stress and stimulation of angiotensin I-converting enzyme activity, among others. Increased vascular reactivity, highlighted in the present review, resulting from these actions might be an important mechanism underlying increased cardiovascular risk. Finally, the results described in this review suggest that mercury, lead and gadolinium, even at low doses or concentrations, affect vascular reactivity. Acting via the endothelium, by continuous exposure followed by their absorption, they can increase the production of free radicals and of angiotensin II, representing a hazard for cardiovascular function. In addition, the actual reference values, considered to pose no risk, need to be reduced.

Microsomal Ca2+ flux modulation as an indicator of heavy metal toxicity.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphatee (IP3), an intracellular messenger, releases Ca2+ from microsomes. Ca2+ plays a major role in regulating various cellular events like neural transmission and regulation of hormones and growth factors. Aluminum (Al), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) were reported to alter Ca2+-regulated events thereby causing neurotoxicity. Hence, an attempt was made characterize IP3 mediated Ca2+ release from rat brain microsomes under the influence of Al, Pb and Hg. Different concentrations of metals were tested over a designated time scale and their effects on IP3 mediated Ca2+ release from microsomes were monitored using Fura-2 technique. All the three metals inhibited IP3 mediated Ca2+ release, Pb being more potent. The order of potency of these three metals was Pb>Hg>Al. Except for Al, both Hg and Pb independently released Ca2+ from microsomes. Re-uptake of Ca2+ into microsomes was inhibited by all the three metals, Pb being more potent. Microsomal Ca2+-ATPase activity was also inhibited by all the three metals. These results suggest that neurotoxicity exerted by Al, Pb and Hg may be due to the interference of these metals with IP3 mediated calcium release and also interfering with the microsomal Ca2+ sequestration mechanism. Differential effects of heavy metal induced changes in Ca2+ flux can be used as an index of relative toxicity.