Changes in thallium distribution in the scalp hair after an intoxication incident.

In cases of criminal thallium poisoning, forensic investigation is required to identify the amount and time of thallium exposure. Usually, blood and urine thallium levels are respectively used as biomarkers. Additionally, hair has the unique potential to reveal retrospective information. Although several studies have attempted to clarify how thallium is distributed in hair after thallium poisoning, none have evaluated the time course of changing thallium distribution. We investigated changes in the distribution of thallium in hair at different time points after exposure in five criminal thallotoxicosis patients. Scalp hair samples were collected twice, at 2.6 and 4.2-4.5months after an exposure incident by police. Results of our segmented analysis, a considerable amount of thallium was detected in almost all hair sample segments. The thallium exposure date estimated from both hair sample collections matched the actual exposure date. We found that determination of thallium amounts in hair samples divided into consecutive segments provides valuable information about exposure period even if a considerable time passes after exposure. Moreover, when estimating the amount of thallium exposure from a scalp hair sample, it is necessary to pay sufficient attention to individual differences in its decrease from hair.

Epoetin beta pegol (C.E.R.A.) promotes utilization of iron for erythropoiesis through intensive suppression of serum hepcidin levels in mice.

Epoetin beta pegol (C.E.R.A.) is a novel, long-acting, erythropoiesis-stimulating agent. We investigated iron utilization associated with erythropoiesis, and how it is affected by the long-term suppression of hepcidin following C.E.R.A. treatment in mice. C57BL/6N mice were administered a single intravenous injection of C.E.R.A. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels were significantly elevated following C.E.R.A. administration, while serum hepcidin levels were continuously suppressed. Expression levels of duodenal iron transporters, ferroportin (FPN) which is internalized by hepcidin binding and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), increased after C.E.R.A. administration. To evaluate the contribution of dietary iron absorption to erythropoiesis following C.E.R.A. treatment, C.E.R.A.-treated mice were fed either an iron-deficient diet to restrict dietary iron absorption or a control diet. The restriction of dietary iron absorption resulted in impaired Hb elevation after C.E.R.A. administration. To investigate the utilization of stored iron for erythropoiesis following C.E.R.A. treatment, iron indices were analyzed in C.E.R.A.-treated mice given an intraperitoneal pre-treatment injection of iron-dextran. Serum hepcidin levels and splenic hemosiderin deposition decreased after C.E.R.A. administration. These results indicate that C.E.R.A. promotes utilization of iron for erythropoiesis both through enhancement of dietary iron absorption and mobilization of iron storage from reticuloendothelial cells.