The content of elements in infant formulas and drinks against mineral requirements of children.

The present study aimed at analysing the content of fluorine (F), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in the drinks for children and infant formulas, a popular supplement or substitute for breast milk produced from cow milk on an industrial scale. Ca, Mg, Zn and Fe concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer, while F levels using a potentiometric method. F levels in the examined formula samples increased with the intended age range, until the intended age of 1 year, and then decreased. A lower content of Ca, Mg and Zn was observed in formulas intended for children <1 year of age and higher for older children. Fe content increased with the age range. A statistically significant higher content of Ca, Mg, Zn and Fe in samples intended for children with phenylketonuria in comparison to those intended for healthy children or children with food allergies was noted. The content of the analysed elements in juices and nectars showed the highest contents in products intended for infants (under 6 months of age). The lowest levels of elements tested were found in drinks for children over 6 months of age. In conclusion, the concentrations of the examined elements in infant formulas and juices for children were decidedly greater than the standards for the individual age groups. Although the absorption of these elements from artificial products is far lower than from breast milk, there is still the fear of consequences of excessive concentrations of these minerals.

The severity of depressive symptoms vs. serum Mg and Zn levels in postmenopausal women.

The aim of this study was to assess the severity of depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women, depending on serum Mg and Zn levels. The study involved 171 postmenopausal women from Poland, who were not using menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The intensity of depressive symptoms was evaluated using a standard research technique, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The plasma Mg and Zn concentrations were measured. Depressive symptoms of different severity levels were diagnosed in 36.8 % of the women. The mean serum Mg level was 1.53 ± 0.28 mg/dL, and Zn level was 72 ±14 µg/dL. The women with higher serum Mg and Zn levels had less depressive symptoms, and this observation is a precious information which can be used when planning depressive disorder prevention programmes.

Soy isoflavones administered pre- and postnatally may affect the ERα and ERß expression and elements' content in bones of mature male rats.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of soy isoflavones, administered pre- and later postnatally, on the estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ß (ERß) expression in bones and to examine the mineral metabolism of the skeletal system in male rats. In bones, ERs were examined with an immunohistochemical method; in blood, estradiol with chemiluminescence immunoassay and in blood and bones, calcium and magnesium with atomic absorption spectrometry and fluorides with a potentiometric method were examined. Decreased immunoexpression of ERα and the increased intensity of immunofluorescence of ERß in osteocytes in the femur of experimental rats were observed. In the serum of treated rats, a significantly higher concentration of estradiol and lower calcium were observed. The content of magnesium and fluoride were significantly higher in the bones of the examined animals. The data presented show that pre- and postnatal supplementation of male rats with soy isoflavones may considerably increase the concentration of estrogens in serum, with a concurrent effect on the mineral composition of bones.

[Comparative analysis of bone mineral composition in human archeological material taken from different regions of Poland]. / Analiza porównawcza skladu mineralnego kosci u ludzi w materiale archeologicznym z róznych rejonów Polski.

The actual paper presents the method and results of studies covering the mineral composition of the skulls of humans in the archaeological material stemming from different regions of Poland. The concentration of fluoride, zinc, iron, manganese, lead, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus was determined in 248 skulls. Distribution of individual burial sites providing the study material is presented in Fig. 1. The material was divided into four groups in relation to the place of deposition and in relation to the soil composition. Macro-, microelements determined by the method of atom absorption, phosphate by colourometric method, fluoride by potentiometric method. It has been disclosed that the bony material at the burial site is subjected to processes of fossilisation--replacing the organic matter by mineral one under definite soil conditions. The soil composition is the factor that influences the mineral composition of the bones in case of the following elements: zinc, manganese, lead, magnesium (Tab. 1). No influence was exerted by components contained in the soil on the determined concentrations of fluoride and iron in bones being explored from human skulls originating from archaeological excavation, undergo dynamic transformations in their mineral composition during their deposition in the soil. With the lapse of the time the content of fluoride (Tab. 2), magnesium (Tab. 7), calcium (Tab. 8), phosphate (Tab. 9) increases, while that of zinc (Tab. 3), iron (Tab. 4), manganese (Tab. 5) and lead (Tab. 6) decreases. The end concentration of elements in the archaeological bony material results from the following processes, namely: Cumulation, the example of which is the change in the concentration of fluoride, washing out the components of bone into the soil, to which the compounds of iron and manganese are subjected, compensations of concentrations of the bone soil border. That process took place in the case involving the changes in concentration of zinc, lead, magnesium, calcium and phosphate.

[The level of calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper in blood serum in children and young people between 5 and 18 years of age]. / Poziom wapnia, magnezu, cynku i miedzi w surowicy krwi u dzieci i mlodziezy w wieku 5-18 lat.

The blood serum of 420 children and young people between 5 and 18 years of age was examined to appoint the content of calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper in it. The examination was realized by AAS method. The calcium level was from 54.16 mg/l to 594.28 mg/l; an average was 148.66 +/- 64.61 mg/l. The magnesium level was from 7.78 mg/l to 66.26 mg/l; an average was 21.84 +/- 6.36 and was higher than data in literary output for children from other regions of Poland. The zinc level was from 0.19 mg/l to 2.94 mg/l, on an average 0.92 +/- 0.30 mg/l. The copper level was from 0.23 mg/l to 2.56 mg/l; average was 1.03 +/- 0.34 mg/l. The almost shortages in these bioelements were in children between 10 and 14, the least shortages were in children between 5 and 9. There were most of all children with high zinc level in blood serum in 10-14 years old group.