Age dependence of chemical element contents in normal human breast investigated using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry / Estudio mediante espectrometría de emisión atómica de plasma acoplado inductivamente de la dependencia de la edad en el contenido de elementos químicos en las mamas humanas normales

Introduction: Breast cancer in women is an actual global medical and social problem. The etiology of this disease remains largely unclear. However, it is well known that the incidence of breast cancer increases with age. In the presented work, for the first time, the age dependence of Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Si, Sr, and Zn content in the mammary gland of women aged 16-60 years was investigated.Material and methods: For this purpose, a method of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was developed, which makes it possible to determine the content of these elements in microsamples (mass from 10 mg) of breast tissue. With the help of the developed technique, the material obtained during the autopsy of 38 practically healthy women aged 16-60 years who died suddenly was studied.Results: Using the parametric Student's t-test and the non-parametric Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U-test to compare two age groups (16-40 years and 41-60 years), as well as Pearson's correlation coefficients between age and chemical element content, it was found that the level of K, Mg, Na and S in normal breast tissue decrease with age.Conclusions: The phenomenon of the age-related decrease in the chemical element contents in the normal mammary gland, discovered for the first time, requires further detailed study. (AU)

Introducción: El cáncer de mama en la mujer es un problema médico y social actual a nivel mundial. La etiología de esta enfermedad sigue sin estar clara. Sin embargo, es bien sabido que la incidencia del cáncer de mama aumenta con la edad. En el trabajo presentado se analiza por primera vez la dependencia de la edad del contenido de Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Si, Sr y Zn en la glándula mamaria de mujeres de 16 a 60 años. fue investigado.Material y métodos: Para ello se desarrolló un método de espectrometría de emisión atómica con plasma acoplado inductivamente (ICP-AES), que permite determinar el contenido de estos elementos en micromuestras (masa a partir de 10 mg) de tejido mamario. Con la ayuda de la técnica desarrollada se estudió el material obtenido durante la autopsia de 38 mujeres prácticamente sanas de entre 16 y 60 años que murieron repentinamente.Resultados: Utilizando la prueba t de Student paramétrica y la prueba U no paramétrica de Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney para comparar dos grupos de edad (16-40 años y 41-60 años), así como los coeficientes de correlación de Pearson entre edad y elemento químico. contenido, se encontró que el nivel de K, Mg, Na y S en el tejido mamario normal disminuye con la edad.Conclusiones: El fenómeno de la disminución del contenido de elementos químicos en la glándula mamaria normal relacionado con la edad, descubierto por primera vez, requiere un estudio más detallado. (AU)

A Systematic review of the calcium content of the normal human prostate gland

Introduction: There is much lack of knowledge concerning most prostatic malfunction, especially the reasons and detailed nature of its pathologies. In spite of advances in medical science, the differential diagnosis of prostatic pathologies has steadily increased in complexity and controversy. A proposal has been made that prostatic calcium (Ca) content determinations may aid in resolving these issues for prostate disorders and especially as an indicator of its carcinoma risk. As a result many measurements of normal prostatic Ca have been made. Materials and methods: Here we analyze data published concerning Ca prostatic levels in healthy subjects. In all 1911 items in the literature of the years dating back to 1921 were identified in the following databases: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science and ELSEVIER-EMBASE. This data was subject to an analysis employing both the “range” and “median” of means. In this way the disparate nature of published Ca content of normal prostates was evaluated. From the papers examined, 36 were selected for the objective analysis of data from their 1357 healthy patients. Results: On a wet mass basis prostatic Ca levels spanned the interval from 73 mg/kg to 1280 mg/kg with 360 mg/kg as the median of their means. It is accepted that the prostatic Ca content is contingent on a wide variety of aspects of the host's milieu, including androgen levels, zone of human prostate sampled, relative amounts of different types of prostatic tissue studied, Ca content of food and drink, Ca supplement intake, age, and the method of analysis. Conclusions: The data encompassed a wide range of values and the sample was small, hence it is advisable that further studies be performed (AU)

Reference man for radiological protection: 71 chemical elements' content of the prostate gland (normal and cancerous).

Frequently knowledge of elemental content of human organs and tissues is required for a variety of applications. These can include brachytherapy and radiotherapy planning, radiation dosimetry and radiation protection. Revised reference values of chemical element mass fractions in normal and cancerous prostate tissues of the Reference (European Caucasian) Man are suggested as a result of this work. Autopsies of 37 apparently healthy males (mean age 55 ± 11 years, range 41-87 years) provided the prostatic tissues studied. The investigated individuals lived in a non-industrial, Central European region of Russia and had suffered sudden death. Also, tissues were studied from 62 subjects with prostate cancer (mean age 65 ± 10 years, range 40-79 years). Sixty-seven elemental mass fractions were determined in each of these 99 prostates. Analytical methods employed were inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, neutron activation analysis with high-resolution spectrometry of short-lived and long-lived radionuclides, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Whichever method was employed, the necessary quality control measures were utilized. Results presented here include a systematic analysis of both the prostatic data presented here for 67 elements and also others' published findings, to make a total of 71 elemental mass fraction values.

A Systematic Review of the Zinc Content of the Normal Human Prostate Gland.

The prostate gland is subject to various disorders. The etiology and pathogenesis of these diseases are not well understood. Moreover, despite technological advancements, the differential diagnosis of prostate disorders has become progressively more complex and controversial. It was suggested that the Zn level in prostatic tissue plays an important role in prostatic carcinogenesis and its measurement may be useful as a cancer biomarker. These suggestions promoted more detailed studies of the Zn content in the prostatic tissue of healthy subjects. The present study evaluated by systematic analysis presents the published data for Zn content analyzed in prostatic tissue of "normal" glands. This evaluation reviewed 1885 studies, all of which were published in the years from 1921 to 2020 and were located by searching the databases PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Elsevier-Embase, and Cochrane Library. In addition, the personal archive of the author collected from 1966 to 2020 was also used. The articles were analyzed and "median of means" and "range of means" were used to examine heterogeneity of the measured Zn content in prostates of apparently healthy men. The objective analysis was performed on data from the 105 studies, which included 3735 subjects. It was found that the range of means of prostatic Zn content reported in the literature for "normal" gland varies widely from 17 to 547 mg/kg with median of means 109 mg/kg on a wet mass basis. The Zn content depends on many factors such as analytical method, age, level of androgens, dietary Zn intake, and the prostatic region and fraction of prostate tissue being studied. Finally, because of small sample size and high data heterogeneity, we recommend other primary studies be performed.

Comparison of 66 chemical element contents in normal and benign hyperplastic prostate.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify the differences between the prostatic levels of chemical elements in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and healthy male. METHODS: We evaluated the prostatic level of 66 chemical elements in 43 patients with BPH and 37 healthy males. Measurements were performed using five instrumental analytical methods. RESULTS: In the hyperplastic prostates, we have observed a significant increase in the mean level of Bi, Cr, Hg, K, Sb, and Se accompanied a significant decrease in the mean level of Al, Ce, Cs, Dy, Er, Gd, Ho, La, Mo, Nd, Pb, Pr, Sm, Sn, Tb, Tm, U, and Y. No differences were found in the mean prostatic level of other chemical elements including Ag, Al, Au, B, Ba, Be, Br, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Rb, S, Sc, Si, Th, Ti, Tl, Yb, Zn, and Zr between BPH patients and healthy males. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of chemical element contents and correlation between pairs of chemical element mass fractions indicates that there is a great disturbance of prostatic chemical element metabolism in BPH gland. Trace elements Bi, Cr, Hg, K, Sb, and Se may be regarded as the possible tissue biomarkers of hyperplastic transformation of prostate gland. Obtained data did not confirm a critical role of Cd and Pb accumulation in the pathogenesis of BPH. A potential age-related Zn, Fe, and Se deficiency in the prostate tissue has not been found as being involved in the etiology of BPH.

Associations between age and 50 trace element contents and relationships in intact thyroid of males.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear why a prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is higher in the elderly as compared to the younger population. An excess or deficiency of trace element contents in thyroid may play important role in goitre- and carcinogenesis of gland. AIM: To examine the variation with age of the mass fraction of 50 trace elements in intact (normal) male thyroid. METHOD: Samples of thyroid parenchyma obtained from 72 healthy males (mean age 37.8 years, range 2-80 years) was investigated. Measurements were performed using a combination of non-destructive and destructive methods: instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, respectively. Tissue samples were divided into two portions. One was used for morphological study while the other was intended for trace element analysis. RESULTS: There is a statistically significant increase in Cd and Se mass fraction, as well as a decrease in Al, Be, Dy, Ga, Gd, Li, Mn, U, and Y mass fraction in the normal thyroid of male during a lifespan. Moreover, a disturbance of intra-thyroidal chemical element relationships (correlations) with increasing age was found. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that, at least, a goitrogenic and carcinogenic effect of Cd overload and Mn deficiency in the thyroid of old males may be assumed. Many trace elements in human thyroid behave themselves as antagonists or synergists. Therefore, an age-related disturbance in correlations between Mn and other trace element mass fractions in thyroid parenchyma may also contribute to harmful effects on the gland. CONCLUSION: Age-related changes in intra-thyroidal trace element contents and disturbances in trace element relationships are involved in goitre- and carcinogenesis.

The Variation with Age of 67 Macro- and Microelement Contents in Nonhyperplastic Prostate Glands of Adult and Elderly Males Investigated by Nuclear Analytical and Related Methods.

To clarify age-related changes of 67 macro- and microelement contents in prostate gland of adult and geriatric males, a quantitative measurement by five analytical methods was performed. The nonhyperplastic prostate glands of 65 subjects (European-Caucasian aged 21-87 years) were investigated by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of short-lived radionuclides (INAA-SLR), instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of long-lived radionuclides (INAA-LLR), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The prostates were obtained at autopsy from subjects who died from acute illness (cardiac insufficiency, stroke, embolism of pulmonary artery, alcohol poisoning) and trauma. None of the subjects had any symptoms of prostatic disease, and all prostates were classified as histologically normal. The combination of nuclear (EDXRF, INAA-SLR, and INAA-LLR) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-AES and ICP-MS) analytical methods allowed estimation of the contents of 67 chemical elements and precisely determined the mass fraction of 54 elements in the tissue samples of nonhyperplastic adult and geriatric prostate glands. This work's results reveal that there is a significant increase with age of Bi, Cd, Co, Fe, Hg, Pb, Sc, Sn, Th, U, and Zn mass fractions in the prostate tissue of healthy individuals of ages from 21 to 60 years, as well as an increase in Ba from age 61 up to 87 years. It implies that an age-related increase and excess in Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Fe, Hg, Pb, Sc, Sn, Th, U, and Zn mass fraction in prostatic tissue may be one of the main factors in the etiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate carcinoma (PCa).

Differences between chemical element contents in hyperplastic and nonhyperplastic prostate glands investigated by neutron activation analysis.

In order to clarify the differences between Ag, Br, Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, and Zn contents in hyperplastic (patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), n = 32) and nonhyperplastic (control group of healthy male inhabitants, n = 32) prostates, an instrumental neutron activation analysis was performed. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) for mass fraction (mg/kg, dry mass basis) of chemical elements in glands of patients with BPH were the following: Ag, 0.0346 ± 0.0060; Br, 30.4 ± 3.6; Ca, 2030 ± 165; Co, 0.0716 ± 0.0097; Cr, 1.073 ± 0.119; Fe, 130.0 ± 7.9; Hg, 0.232 ± 0.030; K, 14,470 ± 740; Mg, 1200 ± 80; Mn, 1.19 ± 0.09; Na, 11,610 ± 870; Rb, 14.7 ± 0.8; Sb, 0.163 ± 0.025; Sc, 0.0257 ± 0.0040; Se, 1.243 ± 0.079; and Zn, 1235 ± 92. It was observed that in BPH tissue, the mass fraction of Co (p < 0.015), Cr (p < 0.0002), Hg (p < 0.000007), K (p < 0.001), Rb (p < 0.048), Sb (p < 0.0001), and Se (p < 0.000001) were significantly higher than in controls. In the sixth to eighth decades, the mass fractions of almost all chemical elements in hyperplastic prostates did not depend from age. Our finding of correlation between pairs of prostatic chemical element mass fractions indicates that there is a great disturbance of prostatic chemical element relationships with a benign hyperplastic transformation. The results apparently confirm the disturbed homeostasis of Zn and Se and some other chemical elements in the etiology of BPH.

INAA application in the assessment of chemical element mass fractions in adult and geriatric prostate glands.

The variation with age of the mass fraction of 37 chemical elements in intact nonhyperplastic prostate of 65 healthy 21-87 year old males was investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of short- and long-lived radionuclides. Mean values (M±SΕΜ) for mass fractions (mg kg(-1), dry mass basis) of the chemical elements studied were: Ag-0.055±0.007, Br-33.2±3.3, Ca-2150±118, Cl-13014±703, Co-0.038±0.003, Cr-0.47±0.05, Fe-99.3±6.1, Hg-0.044±0.006, K-11896±356, Mg-1149±68, Mn-1.41±0.07, Na-10886±339, Rb-12.3±0.6, Sb-0.049±0.005, Sc-0.021±0.003, Se-0.65±0.03, and Zn-795±71. The mass fraction of other chemical elements measured in this study were lower than the corresponding detection limits (mg kg(-1), dry mass basis): As<0.1, Au<0.01, Ba<100, Cd<2, Ce<0.1, Cs<0.05, Eu<0.001, Gd<0.02, Hf<0.2, La<0.5, Lu<0.003, Nd<0.1, Sm<0.01, Sr<3, Ta<0.01, Tb<0.03, Th<0.05, U<0.07, Yb<0.03, and Zr<0.3. This work revealed that there is a significant trend for increase with age in mass fractions of Co (p<0.0085), Fe (p<0.037), Hg (p<0.035), Sc (p<0.015), and Zn (p<0.0014) and for a decrease in the mass fraction of Mn (p<0.018) in prostates, obtained from young adult up to about 60 years, with age. In the nonhyperplastic prostates of males in the sixth to ninth decades, the magnitude of mass fractions of all chemical element were maintained at near constant levels. Our finding of correlation between the prostatic chemical element mass fractions indicates that there is a great variation of chemical element relationships with age.

The prostatic urethra as a Venturi effect urine-jet pump to drain prostatic fluid.

Several experiments show that prostatic fluid is continuously produced and it is drained from the prostate during urination and ejaculation. The mechanism which causes prostatic fluid to drain from the prostatic acini during urination is currently unclear. Also in current opinion such structures of the prostatic urethra as the urethral crest and the colliculus seminalis have no apparent functional significance. This article describes a mechanism for the draining of the prostatic acini that involves these prostatic urethral structures. It is hypothesized that the prostatic urethra works as a pump using the Venturi effect, in which urine is the carrying or motive liquid during voiding, in order to drain prostatic fluid (the carried liquid) from the acini. The urethral crest and the colliculus seminalis take part in controlling flow rates and liquid pressures for this pump to be effective. The calculated estimation of a pressure drop in the region of the colliculus seminalis during micturition was obtained using morphometric and uroflowmetric data and was used to confirm this hypothesis of prostatic acini drainage. As a consequence of this, a previously unknown function for these intra-prostatic urethral structures is described.

The Ca, Cl, Mg, Na, and P mass fractions in human bone affected by Ewing's sarcoma.

The Ca, Cl, Mg, Na, and P contents and Ca/P, Ca/Mg, Ca/Na, Cl/Ca, and Cl/Na ratios in samples of intact bone, inflamed bone, and Ewing's sarcoma tissue were investigated by neutron activation analysis with high-resolution spectrometry of short-lived radionuclides. In Ewing's sarcoma tissue, the mass fractions of Cl and Na are higher and the mass fractions of Ca and Mg are lower than those of both normal and inflamed bone tissues. It was shown that the levels of Ca and Cl mass fractions and also levels of the Ca/Cl and Cl/Na ratios can be used as an additional test for differential diagnosis between inflamed (or normal) bone and Ewing's sarcoma.

Relations of the Al, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Si, Sr, and Zn mass fractions to morphometric parameters in pediatric and nonhyperplastic young adult prostate glands.

The variation with age of the 18 trace element mass fractions and some histological characteristics of intact prostate glands of 50 subjects aged 0-30 years was investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, and a quantitative morphometric analysis. Mean values ± standard error of the mean (M ± SΕΜ) for the mass fractions (in milligrams per kilogram wet tissue) of these trace elements in pre-puberty were: Al 28.5 ± 9.0, B 0.40 ± 0.11, Ba 1.48 ± 0.44, Br 10.5 ± 1.5, Ca 241 ± 30, Cl 3,203 ± 278, Cu 3.51 ± 0.89, Fe 33.7 ± 4.1, K 2,364 ± 145, Li 0.020 ± 0.004, Mg 153 ± 23, Mn 0.46 ± 0.06, Na 2,286 ± 130, P 1,391 ± 100, S 1,698 ± 132, Si 62 ± 11, Sr 0.38 ± 0.08, and Zn 27.6 ± 2.3. During puberty and postpuberty, when there is a significant increase in circulating androgens, the mean values were: Al 7.2 ± 1.4, B 0.21 ± 0.05, Ba 0.25 ± 0.06, Br 5.8 ± 1.0, Ca 433 ± 81, Cl 2,314 ± 201, Cu 1.77 ± 0.13, Fe 20.9 ± 1.6, K 2,585 ± 118, Li 0.0088 ± 0.0014, Mg 232 ± 27, Mn 0.34 ± 0.04, Na 1,875 ± 107, P 1,403 ± 98, S 1,673 ± 73, Si 22.2 ± 3.1, Sr 0.22 ± 0.03, and Zn 93.3 ± 8.9. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) of percent volumes (%) of the stroma, epithelium and lumen in the prostate before puberty were 73.4 ± 2.6, 20.4 ± 1.7, and 4.45 ± 0.94, respectively, versus 46.5 ± 2.5, 38.5 ± 1.9, and 14.9 ± 1.2 during puberty and postpuberty. This work's results confirm that the Zn mass fraction in prostate tissue is an androgen-dependent parameter. For the first time it has been demonstrated that the glandular lumen is a main pool of Ca, Mg, and Zn accumulation and that the stroma is a main pool of Al, B, Ba, Br, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, and Si accumulation in the normal human prostate, for the age range 0-30 years. It was concluded that the Ca, Mg, and Zn binds tightly within the prostatic fluid, because the volume of glandular lumen reflects the volume of prostatic fluid.

Relations of bromine, iron, rubidium, strontium, and zinc content to morphometric parameters in pediatric and nonhyperplastic young adult prostate glands.

The variation with age of the Br, Fe, Rb, Sr, and Zn mass fractions and some histological characteristics of intact prostate glands of 50 subjects aged 0-30 years was investigated by an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and a quantitative morphometric analysis. Mean values ± standard error of the mean (M ± SΕΜ) for the mass fractions (in milligrams per kilogram wet-mass basis) of these trace elements in pre-puberty were: Br-10.5 ± 1.3, Fe-28.6 ± 4.1, Rb-3.05 ± 0.27, Sr-0.42 ± 0.08, and Zn-32.9 ± 3.2. During puberty and postpuberty, when there is a significant increase in circulating androgens, the mean values were: Br-5.60 ± 0.57, Fe-19.3 ± 1.6, Rb-3.50 ± 0.28, Sr-0.24 ± 0.03, and Zn-113 ± 10. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) of percent volumes (%) of the stroma, epithelium, and lumen in the prostate before puberty were 73.4 ± 2.6, 20.4 ± 1.7, and 4.45 ± 0.94, respectively, versus 46.5 ± 2.5, 38.5 ± 1.9, and 14.9 ± 1.2 during puberty and postpuberty. A significant positive correlation between the prostatic Zn and percent volume of both glandular epithelium (r = 0.573, p ≤ 0.001) and glandular lumen (r = 0.725, p ≤ 0.001) was found. For the first time, it has been demonstrated that the glandular lumen is a main pool of Zn accumulation, and that the stroma is a main pool of Br and Fe accumulation in the normal human prostate, for the age range 14 to 30 years. It was concluded that the Zn binds tightly within the prostatic fluid because the volume of glandular lumen reflects the volume of prostatic fluid.

Age-related histological and zinc content changes in adult nonhyperplastic prostate glands.

To clarify age-related histological and Zn content changes in nonhyperplastic adult prostate glands, a quantitative morphometric and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analyses were performed. The prostates were obtained from autopsies of 63 subjects aged 21-70 years who died mainly from trauma. It was found that histologically normal prostate tissue undergoes substantial changes throughout aging. These changes are reflected in an increase of the percent volume of the glandular lumen for the third to fifth decades, reaching a maximum for the decade 41-50 years. Over the same period, the percent volume of the stroma remains steady, but the percent volume of epithelium decreases, approximately, linearly with age. The percent volume of glandular lumen (reflects the volume of prostatic fluid) in the prostate gland of men aged 41 to 50 years is 1.5-fold higher than that in men aged 21 to 30 years, but the epithelium/lumen (prostatic fluid) ratio is approximately twofold lower. This suggests that accumulation of the prostatic fluid develops from 30 to 50 years of age. This accumulation of the prostatic fluid results in an increase of the Zn mass fraction in the prostate. In turn, when the intraprostatic Zn level exceeds a certain level by the end of the fifth decade, it begins to work as a trigger for different factors, all of which increase the proliferation of stromal cells. Deductions from these results allow possible partial explanations of both relevant prostatic aging mechanisms and the effects of dietary interventions using supplementary Zn.

NAA-SLR and ICP-AES application in the assessment of mass fraction of 19 chemical elements in pediatric and young adult prostate glands.

The effect of age on the mass fraction of 19 chemical elements in the intact prostate of 50 apparently healthy 0-30-year-old males was investigated by neutron activation analysis with high-resolution spectrometry of short-lived radionuclides and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Mean values (M ± standard error of the mean) for mass fraction (in milligrams per kilogram, on dry weight basis) of chemical elements were as follows: Al, 77 ± 17; B, 1.31 ± 0.29; Ba, 4.0 ± 1.2; Br, 37.7 ± 4.3; Ca, 1,536 ± 189; Cl, 13,414 ± 949; Cu, 12.3 ± 2.1; Fe, 132 ± 11; K, 11,547 ± 468; Li, 0.064 ± 0.009; Mg, 922 ± 89; Mn, 1.88 ± 0.16; Na, 9,834 ± 411; P, 6,741 ± 335; S, 8,034 ± 251; Si, 199 ± 34; Sr, 1.40 ± 0.19; and Zn, 277 ± 33. The upper limit of mean mass fraction of V was ≤0.24. This work revealed that there is significant tendency for the mass fractions of Ca, K, Mg, and Zn in the prostate tissue of healthy individuals to increase with age from the time of birth up to 30 years. It means that Ca, K, Mg, and Zn mass fractions in prostate tissue are the androgen-dependent parameters. Our finding of a positive correlation between the prostatic Zn and Ca, K, Mg, P, and S mass fractions indicates that there is a special relationship of Zn with some main electrolytes (Ca, K, and Mg) and with P- and S-containing compounds in the prostate. It was shown also that high levels of Al, B, Ba, Br, Cl, Li, Na, and Sr mass fraction in prostate tissue do not indicate a direct involvement of these elements in the reproductive function of the prostate.

The effect of age on Br, Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Mn, and Na mass fraction in pediatric and young adult prostate glands investigated by neutron activation analysis.

The effect of age on chemical element mass fractions in intact prostate of 50 apparently healthy 0-30 year old males was investigated by neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of short-lived radionuclides. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) for mass fraction (mgkg(-1), dry mass basis) of chemical elements before the time of puberty and in the period of puberty and post-puberty were: Br 46.0 ± 6.7, Ca 1151 ± 140, Cl 14572 ± 700, K 10147 ± 700, Mg 771 ± 131, Mn 2.13 ± 0.25, Na 9880 ± 659 and Br 29.0 ± 4.6, Ca 2049 ± 364, Cl 11518 ± 1121, K 13029 ± 542, Mg 1186 ± 134, Mn 1.74 ± 0.16, Na 9887 ± 716, respectively. A tendency of age-related increase in Ca, K, and Mg mass fraction and of age-related decrease in Br mass fraction was observed in period of life from 0 to 30 years. This new data indicates that of the elements studied, only the Ca, K, and Mg mass fraction in prostate tissue is an androgen-dependent parameter.

Chemical elements of human bone tissue investigated by nuclear analytical and related methods.

The mass fractions (in milligrams per kilogram given on a dry mass basis) of 69 chemical elements in the intact rib bone of 84 apparently healthy 15- to 58-year-old citizens (38 females and 46 males) of a nonindustrial region were investigated using five instrumental analytical methods: neutron activation analysis with high-resolution spectrometry of short- and of long-lived radionuclides, particle-induced gamma-ray emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission, and mass spectrometry. The mass fractions of chemical elements were measured for rib bone of both males and females, taken separately and together. The present results indicate that rib bone can be used as exposure monitors in occupational medicine and environmental health studies to assess, or indicate, the body burden of Al, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cr, F, Li, Mg, Na, Ni, P, Pb, rare-earth elements (REEs), Sr, and Zn. Our data show an exponential increase with the age of the content of REEs in the rib of people living in an ecologically safe region.

Data for the Reference Man: skeleton content of chemical elements.

This study was undertaken to provide reference values of chemical element mass fractions in intact bone of Reference (European Caucasian) Man/Woman. The rib bone samples investigated were obtained from autopsies of 84 apparently healthy 15-58-year-old citizens (38 females and 46 males) of a non-industrial region in the Central European part of Russia who had suffered sudden death. The mass fractions (mg/kg given on a wet mass basis) of 69 elements in these bone samples were measured by using neutron activation analysis with high-resolution spectrometry of short-lived and long-lived radionuclides, particle-induced gamma-ray emission, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry including necessary quality control measures. Using published and measured data, mass fraction values of the 79 elements for the rib bone have been derived. Based on accepted rib to skeleton mass fractions and reference values of skeleton mass for Reference Man, the elemental burdens in the skeleton were estimated. These results may provide a representative bases for establishing related reference values for the Russian Reference Man/Woman and for revising and adding current reference values for the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The data presented will also be very valuable for many other applications in radiation protection, radiotherapy radiation dosimetry, and other scientific fields.

Relations of morphometric parameters to zinc content in paediatric and nonhyperplastic young adult prostate glands.

To clarify age-related histological and zinc content changes in paediatric and nonhyperplastic young adult prostate glands, a quantitative morphometric and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (EDXRF) was performed. The prostates were obtained at autopsy from 50 subjects (European-Caucasian aged 0-30 years) who died from sudden infant death syndrome, acute pulmonary aetiologies and trauma. None of the subjects had any symptoms of prostatic disease and all prostates were classified as histologically normal. Each prostate was divided into two portions. One tissue portion was reviewed by an anatomical pathologist whereas another was intended for a Zn mass fraction measurement using EDXRF. The mean per cent volume of the stroma (S), glandular epithelium (E), glandular lumen (L) and glandular component (GC = E + L) were determined and the mean ratios of per cent volumes (S/E, S/GC and E/L) were calculated for each prostate specimen. It was found that normal prostate tissue undergoes substantial changes from birth through early adulthood. These changes are reflected in an increment of the per cent volume of the glandular epithelium and lumen and in a diminution of the per cent volume of the stroma. The S/E ratio of the prostate falls by a factor of almost 4, between ages <1 and 30 years from 5 : 1 to 1.3 : 1. The Zn mass fraction is nearly 30-35 mg/kg (wet weight basis) and remains steady for first decade of life. Then it begins to increase rapidly during and after puberty. The level of the Zn content in prostate tissue is most closely associated with the volume of the glandular lumen, which reflects the volume of prostatic fluid.

Mass fractions of 52 trace elements and zinc/trace element content ratios in intact human prostates investigated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Contents of 52 trace elements in intact prostate of 64 apparently healthy 13-60-year-old men (mean age 36.5 years) were investigated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) for mass fraction (in milligrams per kilogram, on dry-weight basis) of trace elements were as follows: Ag 0.041 ± 0.005, Al 36 ± 4, Au 0.0039 ± 0.0007, B 0.97 ± 0.13, Be 0.00099 ± 0.00006, Bi 0.021 ± 0.008, Br 29 ± 3, Cd 0.78 ± 0.09, Ce 0.028 ± 0.004, Co 0.035 ± 0.003, Cs 0.034 ± 0.003, Dy 0.0031 ± 0.0005, Er 0.0018 ± 0.0004, Gd 0.0030 ± 0.0005, Hg 0.046 ± 0.006, Ho 0.00056 ± 0.00008, La 0.074 ± 0.015, Li 0.040 ± 0.004, Mn 1.53 ± 0.09, Mo 0.30 ± 0.03, Nb 0.0051 ± 0.0009, Nd 0.013 ± 0.002, Ni 4.3 ± 0.7, Pb 1.8 ± 0.4, Pr 0.0033 ± 0.0004, Rb 15.9 ± 0.6, Sb 0.040 ± 0.005, Se 0.73 ± 0.03, Sm 0.0027 ± 0.0004, Sn 0.25 ± 0.05, Tb 0.00043 ± 0.00009, Th 0.0024 ± 0.0005, Tl 0.0014 ± 0.0001, Tm 0.00030 ± 0.00006, U 0.0049 ± 0.0014, Y 0.019 ± 0.003, Yb 0.0015 ± 0.0002, Zn 782 ± 97, and Zr 0.044 ± 0.009, respectively. The upper limit of mean contents of As, Cr, Eu, Ga, Hf, Ir, Lu, Pd, Pt, Re, Ta, and Ti were the following: As ≤ 0.018, Cr ≤ 0.64, Eu ≤ 0.0006, Ga ≤ 0.08, Hf ≤ 0.02, Ir ≤ 0.0004, Lu ≤ 0.00028, Pd ≤ 0.007, Pt ≤ 0.0009, Re ≤ 0.0015, Ta ≤ 0.005, and Ti ≤ 2.6. In all prostate samples, the content of Te was under detection limit (<0.003). Additionally, ratios of the Zn content to other trace element contents as well as correlations between Zn and trace elements were calculated. Our data indicate that the human prostate accumulates such trace elements as Al, Au, B, Br, Cd, Cr, Ga, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, U, and Zn. No special relationship between Zn and other trace elements was found.