Contamination index. A novel parameter for metal and pesticide analyses in maternal blood and umbilical cord

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate the contamination index of metals and pesticides in pregnant women, and to relate this to perinatal outcomes. METHODS: Descriptive, retrospective, exploratory study, developed from existing secondary data analyses at Level III maternity center. A total of 40 mothers with their newborns (NB), living in a rural area in Botucatu- Brazil and surrounding region. Blood samples from mothers and newborn were collected to determine the total contamination index for metals and pesticides. The concentrations of each metal and each pesticide were determined in blood samples of mothers and their newborns by Rudge's results. After obtaining these concentrations, the total contamination index in mother and NB was calculated, along with its correlation with clinical parameters of NB. RESULTS: There was no correlation (p> 0.05) between maternal contamination index with NB clinical parameters, and NB contamination index versus NB clinical parameters. CONCLUSION: The maternal contamination index of metals and pesticides was not related to perinatal outcomes, but it could be used as baseline parameter in future toxicological studies, regarding to long-term toxic characteristics as persistent organic pollutants, its long half-lives, bioacumulative, and expected to impose serious health effects on humans.

The Effect of Exposure Factors on the Concentration of Heavy Metals in Residents Near Abandoned Metal Mines / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the factors that have an influence on the residents exposed to heavy metals, and we utilized the findings to establish the proper management of abandoned metal mines in the future. METHODS: For a total of 258 residents who lived close to abandoned mines in Gangwon-province and Gyeonggi-province, the exposure factors and biomarkers in their blood and urine were comparatively analyzed via multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The blood levels of lead and mercury and the cadmium levels in urine were found to be higher in the study group than that in the average Korean. For the blood levels of heavy metals according to each exposure factor, all of them were found to be significantly higher in both of the group residing for a longer period of time and the group living closer to the source of pollutants. Multiple regression analysis disclosed that all the heavy metals, except lead, in their blood were significantly reduced in proportion to the increased distance of inhabitancy from the mines. Their other biomarkers were within the normal ranges. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the distance between the residential village and the mines was a factor that affects the blood level of heavy metals in the villagers. This finding could be an important factor when developing a management model for the areas that surround abandoned metal mines. (ED note: I much like this important study.)

Study the effect of antiepileptic drugs on some trace elements and electrolytes in a group of Egyptian children attending the paediatric outpatientclinic in El Sahel Teaching Hospital

Epileptic patients exhibited variably altered status of trace elements and electrolytes. The present study was an attempt to find out the relation between level of some trace elements [zinc and copper], electrolytes [calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium], liver function tests and kidney function tests in epileptic children as well as the effect of the antiepileptic therapy on their levels. Cross sectional case control study was carried out on 60 epileptic children randomly chosen from the paediatric clinic in El Sahel Teaching Hospital, aged 4-14 years [35 males, 25 females], 15 cases prior to therapy, 45 cases under AET in the form of Carbamezepine [CBZ], Sodium valproate [VPA] and polytherapy [PT] The control group consisted of 20 healthy children without seizure. Zn2+ and Cu 2+ in serum were analyzed by direct calorimetric spectrophotometer, while Ca[2]+, Mg[2]+, Na+ and K+ in serum were analyzed by automated autoanalyser. Serum Zn2 and Na+ levels were significantly increased in both untreated and treated groups than control, while serum Cu[2]+ level was significantly decreased in untreated group and treated groups than in control, while serum K+ level was significantly decreased in untreated group. No difference was observed in the levels of Ca[2]+ and Mg[2]+ in all studied groups. Trace elements [Zn[2]+ and Cu[2]+ and minerals [Ca[2]+, Mg[2]+, Na+ and K>] are significantly altered with epilepsy, with further alteration after therapy, being a cause or a result. We are waiting for further elucidation

Determination of Cr, Cd, As, Tl and Pb in blood by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To establish an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method for determination of Cr, Cd, As, Tl and Pb in blood.@*METHODS@#The samples were digested by microwave digestion instrument. ICP-MS was applied to determine Cr, Cd, As, Tl and Pb in blood by using 115In as an internal standard.@*RESULTS@#The limits of detection were in the range of 0.00001-0.00249 microg/L. The accuracy of the method ranged from 90.1% to 110.7% and the precision ranged from 4.0% to 7.9%.@*CONCLUSION@#The method is accurate and rapid with superior sensitivity and linear range. It could be used in the poisoning cases caused by Cr, Cd, As, Tl and Pb.

impact of toxic heavy metals on the hematological parameters in common carp [Cyprinus carpio L.]

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the effect of heavy metal pollutants such as cadmium, chromium, nickel and lead in aquatic system on common carp [Cyprinus carpio L.] by using a set of biochemical parameters. The experimental group of fish was exposed to a sublethal concentration of 5 mg/L of combined [Cd+Pb+Cr+Ni] metal solution containing 1.25 mg/L of each metal ion [1/10th of LC 50/48 h] for a period of 32 days. The results indicated that the values of the hemoglobin were in the range of 55.30 +/- 1.20 g/L to 74.55 +/- 1.33 g/L [p < 0.001] and the packed cell volume was in the range of 26.72 +/- 0.26% to 30.68 +/- 0.43% [p < 0.01]. Concentrations of red blood cells, blood glucose and total cholesterol were significantly elevated. The level of serum iron and copper was increased. The results showed the decreased activity of vitamin C during chronic exposure to toxic heavy metals, which indicates the presence of reactive oxygen species-induced peroxidation. The study suggested that the presence of toxic heavy metals in aquatic environment has strong influence on the hematological parameters in the fresh water fish common carp [Cyprinus carpio L.]

Effect of environment and nutrition on minerals, heavy metals and trace elements on Sinai breeding camel. Trace elements [zinc and copper] profile

The present work was preformed to special part of our country, the land which observed four wars in the last century and many trips, journeys from friends and enemies, Sinai, with special reference to animal especially tread as desert boat, the camel. Our data demonstrated that the Camel Dromedary [Camelus dromedaries] in Sinai area, the zinc level in serum was [33.79 +/- 0.17 micro g/dl]; liver [112.57 +/- 0.008 micro g/gm DM], muscle [112.42 +/- 0.04 micro g/gm DM], kidney [103.77 +/- 0.01 micro g/gm DM], heart [54.66 +/- 0.007 micro g/gm DM], spleen [54.66 +/- 0.007 micro g/gm DM], ovary [36.15 +/- 0.05 micro g/gm DM] and testis [15.27 +/- 0.008 micro g/gm DM]. While serum copper concentrations was 54.66 +/- 0.21 micro g/dl; kidney [124.65 +/- 0.017 micro g/gm DM], liver [115.30 +/- 0.24 micro g/gm DM], muscle [111.25+0.45 micro g/gm DM], spleen [55.94 +/- 0.018 micro g/gm DM], heart [48.49 +/- 0.025 micro g/gm DM], ovary [40.80 +/- 0.017 micro g/gm DM] and testis [28.46 +/- 0.016]. The present data revealed that the higher concentrations of both serum zinc and copper levels are present in sera of camels in south Sinai than north Sinai and in the female she-camel than male camel with age related references to over 5 years. The serum zinc level was highest values, in south Sinai especially in female over 5 years [41.87 +/- 0.05 micro g/dl] but lower in female and male age [2-4 years] and males over 5 years in the same area [34.65 +/- 0.22 micro g/dl]. The serum copper concentrations in south Sinai female over 5 years were 57.12 +/- 0.34 micro g/dl compared with female [2-4 years] [53.93 +/- 0.16 micro g/dl]. There was influence of the breeding season on the serum zinc and copper levels in either male or female, the serum zinc concentrations increased during breeding season especially in female in the south Sinai [32.25 +/- 0.18 micro g/dl]. Serum copper level showed high significant increase in its level in female in south Sinai [60.3011.08 micro g/dl] than in north Sinai [56.50 +/- 0.11 micro g/dl]. Zinc concentrations in kidney of she camel were [187.05 +/- 0.013 micro g/gm DM], heart [79.18 +/- 0.005 micro g/gm DM], spleen [58.59 +/- 0.02 micro g/gm DM] and ovary [36.15 +/- 0.05 micro g/gm DM]. Similarly, copper concentrations were higher in kidney [211.05 +/- 0.022 micro g/gm DM], followed by heart [89.35 +/- 0.016 micro g/gm DM], spleen [66.19 +/- 0.018 micro g/gm DM] and ovary [40.80 +/- 0.05 micro g/gm DM] than male in the she-camel. The data indicated that the camel breeds in south Sinai contain higher concentrations of zinc and copper levels than camels in north Sinai and there were significant differences between camels due to age and/or sex and/or breeding season and/or geographical variations

Bioaccumulation of Zn, Cu and Cd in Channa punctatus.

Adult Channa punctatus were acutely exposed to LC50 of zinc (18.62 mg/l), cadmium (11.8 mg/l) and copper (0.56 mg/l) separately for 96 hr The concentration of metals was found maximum in liver and minimum in muscles. The degree of accumulation among the five tissues differed and it was in the order: gill>liver>kidney>blood>muscle in case of Zn, gills>kidney>blood> liver>muscle in case of Cd and gills>kidney>blood>liver>muscle in case of Cu exposure.