Serum copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium levels in mothers with offspring affected by neural tube defects: a case-control study

Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are important causes of infant mortality, which result from a complex interaction between genetics and environmental factors such as trace elements, which play and crucial role in the epigenetic regulation in the embryo fetal developmental program. Objectives: To measure the maternal serum levels of copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium in mothers with offspring affected by NTDs, and to examine a possible relationship between the serum concentrations of these micronutrients and occurrence of NTDs. Design: Case-controls study. Subjects and Methods: Maternal serum blood samples were obtained from 72 healthy pregnant women and 36 mothers who had NTDs affected offspring, including those alive, stillbirths and elective pregnancy' termination at Centro Provincial de Genetica in Villa Clara. Copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium levels in serum were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and were compared between the two groups of mothers. Results: Serum zinc levels were determined to be significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group, while copper levels were significant elevated in the study group (all p values < .05). There was a negative correlation between serum zinc levels and serum copper levels. However, no association between calcium and magnesium serum levels and increased risk for the development of NTDs was observed. Conclusions: High maternal serum levels of copper and lower level of zinc during pregnancy were associated with NTDs in offspring. If folic acid supplementation is given, additional zinc supplementation should be considered for the further decrease in the recurrence risk of NTDs(AU)

Avaliação do status oxidativo, consumo alimentar de zinco e zinco plasmático em indivíduos infectados pelo HIV / Evaluation of oxidative status, food consumption of zinc and plasma zinc in HIV-infected individuals

Objetivo: Objetivou-se analisar o consumo alimentar e os níveis plasmáticos de zinco além de biomarcadores do status oxidativo de pacientes com infecção pelo HIV. Métodos: Foram selecionados indivíduos adultos com HIV e contagem de linfócitos T CD4<500 células/mm3, assistidos por um centro especializado, localizado na região oeste do Paraná. Realizou-se a aplicação de questionários, avaliação antropométrica e coleta sanguínea para análise de zinco e biomarcadores do status oxidativo. Resultados: Avaliou-se um total de quarenta indivíduos adultos, nos quais se observaram consumo adequado de zinco e grande frequência de eutrofia e sobrepeso. Obteve-se correlação positiva entre tióis proteicos (SH-P) e os níveis plasmáticos de zinco e correlação negativa entre SH-P e a peroxidação lipídica (PL) no plasma e nos eritrócitos. Além disso, verificou-se um aumento nos níveis de SH-P em pacientes com presença de doença oportunista em alguma fase da infecção viral. Conclusão: Apesar de não ter sido observada relação entre níveis de zinco sanguíneo e a contagem de linfócitos T CD4 e carga viral, as propriedades do mineral ainda são defendidas como essenciais.

Zinc y desnutrición / Zinc and undernutrition

Son cuatro los nutrientes en que su deficiencia es importante en niños: hierro, yodo, vitamina A y zinc. Más o menos se calcula que hay 2 billones de personas en el mundo con algún grado de déficit de zinc. Los pacientes que están en riesgo de presentar deficiencias de zinc son los recién nacidos con bajo peso al nacimiento, bien sea prematuros, desnutridos in útero o hijos de madres desnutridas, en los cuales sus depósitos están reducidos. A diferencia de otros oligoelementos o micronutrientes, determinar el estado de déficit no es fácil. Los niveles séricos de zinc, están influenciados por factores no dietarios como infección, estrés o actividad física extenuante; al igual que por el ciclo circadiano.

Four nutrient deficiency that is important in children, iron, iodine, vitamin A and zinc. More or less it is estimated that 2 billion people in the world with some degree of zinc deficiency. Patients who are at risk for zinc deficiency are infants with low birth weight, either premature or malnourished in utero, undernourished mothers, in which their deposits are reduced. Unlike other trace elements or micronutrients, determine the deficit is not easy. Serum levels of zinc are not influenced by dietary factors such as infection, stress or strenuous physical activity, as well as by the circadian cycle.

Efeito da suplementação com minerais antioxidantes em pacientes com aterosclerose tratados com estatinas / Effect of supplementation with antioxidant minerals in patients with atherosclerosis treated with statins

O objetivo deste estudo clínico randomizado duplo-cego foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação oral de zinco e selênio concomitante ao tratamento com rosuvastatina sobre os marcadores de estresse oxidativo e inflamação, bem como o status de zinco e selênio, em pacientes com aterosclerose, apresentando angina estável. A amostragem foi composta por adultos e idosos, 47 homens e 29 mulheres, com diagnóstico de aterosclerose coronariana por angiografia, atendidos no Serviço de Hemodinâmica do Natal Hospital Center - Natal / RN. O projeto foi aprovado pelos Comitês de Ética em Pesquisa da UFRN e da FCF-USP. A coleta de dados foi realizada no primeiro momento e após 4 meses do tratamento com rosuvastatina 10 mg, concomitante à suplementação com zinco (30mg/d) e selênio (150µg/d), ou placebo, sendo avaliados os parâmetros antropométricos e dietéticos, zinco e selênio plasmáticos e eritrocitários, perfil lipídico, LDL minimamente oxidada, anticorpos anti-LDL(-), imunocomplexos Ac-LDL(-), GPx, SOD, IL-6 e PCR-as. Houve predominância do gênero masculino, idade média em torno de 60 anos, ex-fumantes, portadores de hipertensão arterial, alta freqüência do sobrepeso/obesidade e circunferência abdominal aumentada/muito aumentada. As dietas caracterizaram-se como hipocalórica, hiperprotéica, normoglicídica e hipolípídica, com baixo teor de fibra e altas prevalências de inadequação de ingestão de zinco e selênio. O status de zinco e selênio no plasma e eritrócitos não foi alterado significativamente nos grupos placebo e suplementado entre os dois momentos do estudo. A terapia com a rosuvastatina mostrou-se eficaz na redução das concentrações de colesterol total, LDL, colesterol não-HDL, triacilgliceróis e PCR-as, independente da suplementação com os minerais zinco e selênio. As concentrações de LDL(-), Ac anti-LDL(-), imunocomplexos, IL-6 e as atividades das enzimas SOD e GPx não foram modificadas em função das intervenções com rosuvastatina associadas ou não à suplementação. Conclui-se que o tratamento com rosuvastatina 10mg durante 4 meses não alterou o status de zinco e selênio considerando os biomarcadores avaliados. A suplementação de zinco e selênio não influenciou os biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo e inflamação. Estudos adicionais serão necessários para avaliação da necessidade de suplementação neste grupo de pacientes com aterosclerose, analisando-se outras doses, tempo de suplementação e biodisponibilidade da forma química dos minerais prescritos

The aim of this randomized double-blind study was to evaluate the effect of oral zinc and selenium supplementation, concomitant with rosuvastatin treatment, on markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as the status of zinc and selenium in adult patients with atherosclerosis and stable angina. The study included 47 men and 29 women, average age around 60 years, with coronary atherosclerosis diagnosed by angiography at the Hemodynamic Service at Natal Hospital Center - Natal / RN. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee of UFRN and FCF-USP. Data from patients were obtained at beggining and after four months of treatment with 10 mg rosuvastatin, concomitantly with zinc (30mg/d) and selenium (150µg/d) supplementation or placebo. The anthropometric and dietary data, zinc and selenium concentrations in plasma and erythrocyte, lipid profile, electronegative LDL (LDL(-)), anti- electronegative LDL, Ac-LDL(-) immune complexes, GPx and SOD activities, IL-6 and hs-CRP were evaluated in all patients. Most patients were former smokers with arterial hypertension, high rate of overweight/obesity and increased waist circumference. The diets contained low-calorie, hyperproteic, normoglycidic, low-fat and fiber content and inadequate intake of zinc and selenium. The status of zinc and selenium in plasma and erythrocytes was not changed significantly in the supplemented and placebo groups between the two moments of the study. Rosuvastatin therapy was effective in reducing total cholesterol, LDL, non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and hs-CRP level, regardless of supplementation with the minerals zinc and selenium. The concentrations of LDL (-), anti- LDL (-), immune complexes, IL-6 and the activities of SOD and GPx were not modified by zinc and selenium supplementation associated with rosuvastatin. In conclusion, the treatment with 10 mg rosuvastatin for 4 months did not change either the status of zinc and selenium or the biomarkers evaluated in this study. Zinc and selenium supplementation did not affect oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the need for antioxidant minerals supplementation in patients with atherosclerosis, mainly to investigate other doses, duration of supplementation and bioavailability of the chemical form of the prescribed minerals.

Avaliação dos efeitos do tratamento com zinco orgânico sobre a reprodução e no comportamento de ratas (Rattus norvegicus) / Evaluation of the organic zinc treatment effects in female rat (Rattus norvegicus) reproduction and behaviour / Evaluación de los efectos del tratamiento con zinc orgánico sobre la reproducción y comportamiento de ratas (rattus norvegicus)

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do tratamento com zinco orgânico no desempenho reprodutivo e no comportamento, por meio de testes de natação forçada, campo aberto e sono induzido por barbitúrico. Foram utilizadas 21 ratas Wistar (Rattus norvegicus), distribuídas em três grupos de sete animals cada, acomodadas em caixas individuais, submetidas a diferentes tratamentos: SZn (controle - sem zinco); ZnP (zinco na forma quelada, por via intramuscular); ZnO (zinco orgânico na dieta, 5 mg/kg). Não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas entre os tratamentos SZn (10,4 ± 2,4 filhotes), ZnP (6,9 ± 2,6 filhotes) e ZnO (3,3 ± 2,6 filhotes), com relação ao desempenho reprodutivo. No teste de desespero comportamental, os tempos de imobilidade dos animals tratados com SZn (91,1 ± 15 seg.), ZnP (71,2 ± 17 seg.) e ZnO (79,9 ± 20 seg.) não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas (p > 0,05). Na avaliação hipno-sedativa, não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas (p > 0,05) no tempo de indução (SZn = 6,6 ± 2; ZnP = 5,3 ± 2; ZnO = 3,6 ± 0,3 min.), nem no tempo de recuperação (SZn = 295 ± 15; ZnP = 320 ± 34; ZnO = 355 ± 38 min.). Os outros parâmetros comportamentais avaliados (número de levantamentos, auto-limpeza, tempo na periferia e número de quadrados invadidos) também não foram influenciados (p > 0,05). Concluiu-se que o zinco, na forma orgânica, administrado via parenteral ou oral, não influencia a reprodução nem o comportamento de ratas.

This article aims at evaluating the effects of the organic zinc treatment over the reproductive performance and behavior through forced swimming tests, open field, and barbiturate-induced sleep. 21 female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were used, distributed into three groups of seven animals, placed in individual boxes, and submitted to different treatments: SZn (control- without zinc), ZnP (zinc for intramuscular administration), and ZnO (organic zinc in the diet, 5 mg/kg). Statistic differences were not observed (p> 0,05) among the treatments SZn (10.4 ± 2.4 nestlings), ZnP (6.9 ± 2.6 nestlings), and ZnO (3.3 ± 2.6 nestlings), in relation to the number ofnestlings. In the behavioral despair test, the immobility time of the animals treated with SZn (91.1 ± 15 seg.), ZnP (71.2 ± 17 seg.), and ZnO (79.9 ± 20 seg) did not present any statistic differences (p > 0,05). Statistic differences (p> 0,05) were neither present at the induction time (SZn = 6.6 ± 2; ZnP = 5.3 ± 2; ZnO = 3.6 ± 0.3 min), nor in the recovery time (SZn = 295 ± 15; ZnP = 320 ± 34; ZnO = 355 ± 38 min) at the hypno-sedative evaluation. The other behavioral parameters evaluated (number of risings, self-cleaning, time in the periphery, and number of invaded squares) were not altered as well. It was concluded that zinc, in its organic form, either parenterally or orally administered, neither influences the reproduction nor the behavior of female rats.

Introduction of routine zinc therapy for children with diarrhoea: evaluation of safety.

On 8 May 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) recommended routine administration of zinc in the management of children, aged less than five years, with acute diarrhoea. In making the recommendation, WHO and UNICEF also suggested careful monitoring for adverse events associated with routine administration of zinc, particularly unusual or excess vomiting. The study assessed, in a phase IV trial, i.e. post-marketing surveillance of zinc, the occurrence of adverse events during the first hour after the administration of the first dose of zinc in children with acute or persistent diarrhoea. The study was conducted at the Dhaka Hospital of ICDDR,B and at an outpatient clinic operated by a local health NGO-Progoti Samaj Kallyan Protisthan (PSKP), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Eligible children, aged 3-59 months, were treated with 20 mg of zinc sulphate provided in a dispersible tablet formulation. The children were observed for 60 minutes following the initial treatment with zinc for adverse events, with particular attention given to vomiting or regurgitation. During the one-year observation period, 42,440 children (male 57% and female 43%) received zinc, and 20,246 (47.8%) of them were observed. Regurgitation and/or vomiting occurred in 4,392 (21.8%) of the children; 90.8% of these children had vomiting only once, 8.7% twice, and 0.5% more than twice. No children revisited the hospital for recurrent vomiting following their discharge. A significant proportion of infants and children may experience vomiting or regurgitation, usually once, following the administration of the first dose of zinc. This is a transient phenomenon that did not impact on continuation of treatment with zinc.

Effects of lead and/or zinc exposure during the second stage of rapid postnatal brain growth on delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase and negative geotaxis of suckling rats

Lead has been shown to produce cognitive and motor deficits in young rats that could be mediated, at least in part, by inhibition of the zinc-containing heme biosynthetic enzyme delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D). In the present study we investigated the effects of lead and/or zinc treatment during the second stage of rapid postnatal brain development on brain, kidney and blood ALA-D specific activity, as well as the negative geotaxis behavior of rats. Eight-day-old Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with saline, lead acetate (8 mg/kg) and/or zinc chloride (2 mg/kg) daily for five consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after treatment, ALA-D activity was determined in the absence and presence of DL-dithiothreitol (DTT). The negative geotaxis behavior was assessed in 9- to 13-day-old rats. Treatment with lead and/or zinc did not affect body, brain or kidney weights or brain- or kidney-to-body weight ratios of the animals. In spite of the absence of effect of any treatment on ALA-D specific activity in brain, kidney and blood, the reactivation index with DTT was higher in the groups treated with lead or lead + zinc than in the control group, in brain, kidney and blood (mean + or - SEM; brain: 33.33 + or - 4.34, 38.90 + or - 8.24, 13.67 + or - 3.41; kidney: 33.50 + or - 2.97, 37.60 + or - 2.67, 15.80 + or - 2.66; blood: 63.95 + or - 3.73, 56.43 + or - 5.93, 31.07 + or - 4.61, respectively, N = 9-11). The negative geotaxis response behavior was not affected by lead and/or zinc treatment. The results indicate that lead and/or zinc treatment during the second stage of rapid postnatal brain growth affected ALA-D, but zinc was not sufficient to protect the enzyme from the effects of lead in brain, kidney and blood.

Toxic effects of copper and zinc mixtures on some haematological and biochemical parameters in common carp, Cyprinus carpio (Linn).

The effect of heavy metals and mixture were studied on some haematological and biochemical parameters in fish, Cyprinus carpio at sublethal level over the period of 30 days. Heavy metal significantly decreased total RBC count, haemogoblin, heamatocrit (Hct) (except copper after 10 days exposure). The WBC count was increased significantly in all the treated fish. The MCH, MCHC, MVC were increased depending upon the exposure period; declined PVC was noticed at 1% level of significance after 30 days on all the treated fish. Serum level of chloride and calcium content were increased where as serum glucose, cholesterol and total serum protein were decreased significantly. The alteration in haematological and biochemical parameters shows more toxic in mixture after 30 days, showed more than 'addition action' of the individual toxicant.

Effects of some trace heavy metals on Poecilia reticulata (Peters).

Three trace heavy metals viz., nickel, copper and zinc were studied for their toxic action against Poecilia retriculata (Peters). Among these, copper was found to be most active followed by zinc and nickel. Accumulations of these metals as well as behavioural studies were carried out after exposing fish to sub-lethal concentration of LC20. It was found that the highest quantity of nickel was accumulated in the fish body followed by zinc and copper. After exposure to sub-lethal concentration of metals some behavioural changes in fish were observed due to stress, such as mucus like secretion over gills, excessive excretion, anoretic condition and increased distance between gills and operculum. In all the cases fin movement was observed. Role and use of such changes as biological indicators or as biological early warning system in water quality assessment has been discussed.

A presumptive case of lead poisoning in a brass-worker's child.

A one-year-old male child was admitted with the complaints of vomiting and irritability for 4 days, haematemesis and melaena for one day and had generalised tonic convulsions on the day of admission. Examination revealed exaggerated reflexes with group II coma. Blood film showed basophilic shippling. Straight x-ray showed lead lines in the metaphyses of ribs, humerii, scapulae, iliac crests and upper ends of femurs. The boy's father was an employee of brass industry where brass alloys used cotained lead in substantial amount. A presumptive case of lead poisoning (as diagnosed) was treated symptomatically. Chelating agent was called for but the patient left. In the present case the hands of the child were contaminated with lead dust brought home by his father either in person or in clothings. The child used his hands constantly in his mouth to get poisoned by lead.

Toxicología ambiental: metalotioneínas y metabolismo celular / Environmental toxicology: metallothioneins and cellular metabolism

Las metalotioneínas (MT) constituyen una familia de proteínas de bajo peso molecular (6-8 kDa), presentes en procariotes y eucariotes, con elevado contenido en cisteína (30-35 por ciento) y marcada capacidad para combinarse con iones metálicos. dentro del metabolismo celular, se le han asignado múltiples funciones, desde un papel central en la homeostasis celular de ciertos metales pesados esenciales ("pool" citosólico de Zn y/o Cu), la detoxificación de metales pesados no esenciales, hasta su participación en ciertos procesos inflamatorios y la inactivación de radicales libres. La variación en el nivel de MT es indicador de exposición a xenobióticos, de situaciones ambientales adversas así como de situaciones de estrés fisiológico. Como tal, esta respuesta puede utilizarse tanto a nivel de la toxicología laboral, clínica y en estudios ecotoxicológicos. A este respecto, se encuentra en fase experimental su utilización con fines de diagnóstico ambiental. Esta revisión tiene como objeto constituir una breve reseña sobre los principales conocimientos reunidos hasta la fecha. Se ha avanzado significativamente en los aspectos básicos y metodológicos de la inducción de metalotioneínas en situaciones de estrés. Sin embargo, y a pesar de contarse con un número importante de estudios específicos, y a diferencia de otras proteínas menos estudiadas, queda aún sin precisar su función básica dentro del metabolismo celular

Water quality criteria: application of a procedural approach of numeric criteria and risk assessment protocols to regulated toxicant concentrations in the aquatic environment

The purpose of this study is to discuss the adequacy of developing water quality criteria based on site/region specific conditions in place of using general legal standards to protect human health from the impacts of pollutants in aquatic systems. Human noncarcinogenic criteria (HNC) were developed for Zn, Mn, Ni, Hg, As and Cd and compared with legal standards adopted in Brazil and the US. Uncertainty analyses were carried ou to provide a quantitative estimate of the variation range of HNC model outputs. Finally a risk assessment based on a scenario of Hg pollution in a river in the Amazon basin was carried out. It has been found that with the exception of As and Cd, the Brazilian legal standar values are more restrictive than the HNC values. It is pointed out that the HNC equation is only based on the protection of human health and thus, it does not consider the protection of aquatic life. The risk assessment concerning Hg contamination suggested that the local riverine population is exposed to due Hg concentrations and adverse health effects are likely to occur.

Efecto del cinc sobre la acción dinámica específica (ADE) en el camarón de río. Macrobrachium olfersii (Wiegmann, 1836) / Efect of zinc on the specific dynamic action of the freshwater shrimp. Macrobrachium olfersii (Wiegmann, 1836)

En el presente estudio se determinó la concentración letal media (CL50) del cinc para el camarón Macrobrachium olfersii, durante 96 horas de exposición, encontrándose un valor de 1,59 mg Zn+21-1. Previa selección de dos concentraciones subletales (0,40 y 0,60 mg Zn+21-1) de este elemento, se evaluaron los efectos sobre la Acción Dinámica Específica (ADE) a través del consumo de oxígeno, mg O2h-1g-1, en organismos alimentados y sin alimentar. Los resultados demostraron diferencias altamente significativas (P<0,001) en el consumo de oxígeno en organismos expuestos 0,60 mg 1-1 de cinc con respecto a los controles. No se encontraron diferencias significativas (P>0,05) entre los tratamientos (con o sin alimento) y se obtuvieron elevados valores de ADE a las 3 horas de exposición. También se pudo observar, a las concentraciones de cinc probadas, síntomas evidentes de intoxicación, tales como hiperactividad y pérdida del equilibrio en los camarones estudiados

Intoxicación por raticida y status epilepticus / Intoxication with raticide and status epilepticus

La intoxicación por raticidas (Fosfuro de Zinc) es potencialmente letal y cuando existen manifestaciones clínicas del sistema nervioso central, la mortalidad alcanza hasta el 70%de los casos. Se presenta el caso de un preescolar con intoxicación por fosfuro de zinc. La ingestión de este tóxico causó estado epiléptico, cuya evolución fué satisfactoria, con recuperación neurológica completa.

Metales pesados en el río Reconquista (Buenos Aires): resultados preliminares / Heavy metal in the Reconquista river (Buenos Aires): priliminary results

Entre agosto de 1986 y febrero de 1987 se colectaron mensualmente alícuotas de agua superficial del río Reconquista (Pcia. de Buenos Aires). Los muestreos se efectuaron en dos zonas estacionales: Cascallares (E1) y Bancalari (E2). En la primera, el río no ha cruzado aún la zona industrial-urbana y la segunda corresponde a un punto próximo a la desembocadura. Se determinó la concentración total de Zn, Cr y Cd disueltos, por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica. El único metal presente, en forma casi constante, fue el Zn. Su concentración resultó generalmente mayor en E2 y los valores más altos (4mg/l) fueron encontrados en verano. Aún en E1 las concentraciones de este metal sobrepasan los límites superiores citados para ríos no contaminados. El Cr y Cd no fueron hallados en forma regular en las muestras analizadas.