Association of Parkinson's disease with altered serum levels of lead and transition metals among South Indian subjects.

Several epidemiologic studies have suggested an association between the Parkinson's disease (PD) and exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, iron, copper, manganese, etc. A growing body of evidence suggests that heavy metals stimulate free radical formation in the brain and can lead to neurodegeneration. In the present study, we investigated whether such association exists in PD cases from rural and urban areas in our study population. The plasma levels of copper, iron, manganese and lead in PD cases (n = 150) and controls (n = 170) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and correlated with the oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl and total glutathione. Results indicated significant increase in the levels of copper (17.73 +/- 4.48 vs. 13.0 + 3.22 ng/ml) and iron (554.4 +/- 123.8 vs. 421.7 +/- 126.1 ng/ml) in PD cases compared to controls, whereas no significant differences in the levels of manganese and lead were observed. Further, the data based on urban or rural residence showed that plasma copper, iron, manganese levels were comparatively higher in rural subjects, whereas plasma lead levels were significantly higher in urban subjects. Increased plasma iron showed positive correlation with marker of lipid peroxidation (MDA), suggesting that increased iron levels induced oxidative stress in PD. These results substantiated the earlier observations about the role of environmental exposure and metal-induced oxidative stress in the etiology of PD.

Altered transition metal homeostasis in Niemann-Pick disease, type C1.

The loss of NPC1 protein function is the predominant cause of Niemann-Pick type C1 disease (NP-C1), a systemic and neurodegenerative disorder characterized by late-endosomal/lysosomal accumulation of cholesterol and other lipids. Limited evidence from post-mortem human tissues, an Npc1(-/-) mouse model, and cell culture studies also suggest failure of metal homeostasis in NP-C1. To investigate these findings, we performed a comprehensive transition metal analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma and tissue samples from human NP-C1 patients and an Npc1(-/-) mouse model. NPC1 deficiency in the Npc1(-/-) mouse model resulted in a perturbation of transition metal homeostasis in the plasma and key organs (brain, liver, spleen, heart, lungs, and kidneys). Analysis of human patient CSF, plasma and post-mortem brain tissues also indicated disrupted metal homeostasis. There was a disparity in the direction of metal changes between the human and the Npc1(-/-) mouse samples, which may reflect species-specific metal metabolism. Nevertheless, common to both species is brain zinc accumulation. Furthermore, treatment with the glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor miglustat, the only drug shown in a controlled clinical trial to have some efficacy for NP-C1, did not correct the alterations in CSF and plasma transition metal and ceruloplasmin (CP) metabolism in NP-C1 patients. These findings highlight the importance of NPC1 function in metal homeostasis, and indicate that metal-targeting therapy may be of value as a treatment for NP-C.

The influence of transition metal ions on collagen mineralization.

The ions in body fluid play an important role in bone formation besides being a synthesizing material. Transition metal ions Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Fe(3+), Mn(2+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and Hg(2+) doped hydroxyapatite (HAP)/collagen composites were synthesized successfully in the presence of collagen traces at mild acidic pH for the first time. However, the amount of doped Hg(2+) and Cd(2+) was relatively low. Meanwhile, through soaking the collagen sponge as a template in simulated body fluid (SBF) which contains different transition metal ions (Mn(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+)), bone-like HAP/collagen composites were synthesized. Hg(2+) had a certain inhibitory effect on the formation of HAP crystals on the surface of the collagen sponge while Co(2+) can promote the formation of HAP on the collagen sponge. For both HAP/collagen composites and HAP/collagen sponge, it was found that transition metal ions Mn(2+) had a significant effect on the morphology of HAP particles and could induce to form floc-like HAP particle aggregates.

[Nutritional status, iron, copper, and zinc in school children of shantytowns of Sao Paulo]. / Estado nutricional, ferro, cobre e zinco em escolares de favelas da cidade de São Paulo.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the anthropometry, body composition and iron, copper and zinc nutritional status, according to gender, of institutionalized children and adolescents living in two shantytowns in the city of Sao Paulo. METHODS: A cross sectional study using weight, height, arm circumference, skinfolds, electrical bioimpedance, Z scores for the relationships: height to age, body mass index, middle-upper arm circumference, muscle area of the arm and fat area of the arm was carried out; the body fat and lean mass percentages were analyzed according to the formulas proposed by Siri and Slaughter. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron ferritin, copper and zinc were determined. RESULTS: Body weight, middle-upper arm circumference, triceps and subescapular skinfolds, electric resistance, Z scores of the arm area, muscle area of the arm, and body fat percentage of girls were higher in relation to boys. Low stature was found in 8% of the girls and in 5.6% of the boys, without differences according to gender. There was a lower prevalence of malnutrition (2% of the girls and 5.6% of the boys), than of overweight and obesity (30% and 11.2%, respectively). Anemia was observed in 24.4% and iron deficiency in 10.5% of the schoolchildren with or without anemia. Values were below the lower limit of the reference standard for serum copper and zinc, respectively, for 3 and 7 individuals. CONCLUSION: In the studied population, institutionalized and of low social economic level, a process of nutritional transition and high prevalence of anemia takes place which does not result from an interaction of iron, copper and zinc.

Assessment of dietary intake and trace element status in patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

PURPOSE: Panproctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the operation of choice for patients with ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis. The long-term nutritional consequences after pouch surgery are unknown. We have assessed the nutritional status of the essential trace elements-zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium-in patients several years (median, 10 (range, 2-15) years) after surgery. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with uncomplicated ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and 46 healthy control subjects were studied. A dietary assessment of trace element intake was undertaken by using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The patients' trace elements status for zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium was assessed by measuring their concentrations in blood. RESULTS: The dietary intake of individual trace elements was similar in both groups (all P values > 0.4). There was no significant difference in the concentrations of plasma copper, zinc, and selenium between patients and healthy control subjects (all P values > 0.07). The concentration of whole blood manganese was significantly higher (P = 0.004) in patients (median, 178.5 nmol/l; range, 59-478 nmol/l) compared with healthy control subjects (median, 140 nmol/l; range, 53-267 nmol/l). Four (7 percent) patients had manganese concentrations more than three standard deviations of the mean of control group (>255 nmol/l). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that patients who have had uncomplicated pouch surgery have a normal dietary intake of trace elements and do not develop deficiencies in copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium. However, these patients may be at increased risk of manganese toxicity.

Estado nutricional, ferro, cobre e zinco em escolares de favelas da cidade de São Paulo / Nutritional status, iron, copper, and zinc in school children of shantytowns of Sao Paulo

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a antropometria, a composição corporal e o estado nutricional em ferro, cobre e zinco segundo o gênero, de crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados, moradores de duas favelas da cidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal utilizando medidas de peso, estatura, circunferência braquial, dobras cutâneas, bioimpedância elétrica, os escores Z da relação estatura para idade, índice de massa corporal, área do braço, área muscular do braço e área de gordura do braço. Os percentuais de gordura corporal e massa magra foram analisados segundo fórmulas de Siri e Slaughter. Foram determinados hemoglobina, hematócrito, ferro, ferritina, cobre e zinco séricos. RESULTADOS: Foram maiores o peso corporal, circunferência do braço, dobras cutâneas do tríceps e subescapular, resistência elétrica, escores Z da área do braço, área muscular do braço e percentual de gordura corporal no sexo feminino em relação ao masculino. Baixa estatura foi encontrada em 8 por cento das meninas e 5,6 por cento dos meninos, sem diferença quanto ao gênero. Houve menor prevalência de desnutrição (2 por cento das meninas e 5,6 por cento nos meninos), do que de sobrepeso e obesidade (30 por cento e 11,2 por cento, respectivamente). Observou-se anemia em 24,4 por cento e ferropenia em 10,5 por cento dos escolares com ou sem anemia. Apresentaram valores abaixo do limite inferior do padrão de referência para cobre e zinco séricos, respectivamente três e sete indivíduos. CONCLUSÃO: Na população estudada, de baixo nível econômico e institucionalizada, ocorre o processo de transição nutricional e alta prevalência de anemia que não resulta da interação ferro, cobre e zinco.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the anthropometry, body composition and iron, copper and zinc nutritional status, according to gender, of institutionalized children and adolescents living in two shantytowns in the city of Sao Paulo. METHODS: A cross sectional study using weight, height, arm circumference, skinfolds, electrical bioimpedance, Z scores for the relationships: height to age, body mass index, middle-upper arm circumference, muscle area of the arm and fat area of the arm was carried out; the body fat and lean mass percentages were analyzed according to the formulas proposed by Siri and Slaughter. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron ferritin, copper and zinc were determined. RESULTS: Body weight, middle-upper arm circumference, triceps and subescapular skinfolds, electric resistance, Z scores of the arm area, muscle area of the arm, and body fat percentage of girls were higher in relation to boys. Low stature was found in 8 percent of the girls and in 5.6 percent of the boys, without differences according to gender. There was a lower prevalence of malnutrition (2 percent of the girls and 5.6 percent of the boys), than of overweight and obesity (30 percent and 11.2 percent, respectively). Anemia was observed in 24.4 percent and iron deficiency in 10.5 percent of the schoolchildren with or without anemia. Values were below the lower limit of the reference standard for serum copper and zinc, respectively, for 3 and 7 individuals. CONCLUSION: In the studied population, institutionalized and of low social economic level, a process of nutritional transition and high prevalence of anemia takes place which does not result from an interaction of iron, copper and zinc.

Online standard additions calibration of transient signals for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

An online standard additions calibration method for transient signals in ICPMS is demonstrated in which a small volume of standard is injected as a spike into the sample/carrier stream, overlaying the analyte peak. This technique provides the advantages of conventional standard additions but requires only a single sample run. The method corrects for matrix effects and is suitable for transient signals in which the severity of the matrix effect changes over the analyte peak. The method uses a peak-fitting program to determine the area of the underlying peak and is shown to be effective for the determination of trace metal concentrations in both a high ionic strength matrix and in a biological matrix (urine). Eight analytes with concentrations in the range of 0.82-233.2 mug L-1 in urine were simultaneously determined using a standard spiking solution of 75 mug L-1 injected through a 100-muL loop. The measured concentrations for analytes free of spectral interferences agreed with the certified values, and the precision achieved was comparable to that achieved by the certifying agency. Using a conventional cross-flow nebulizer and Scott-type spray chamber, the accuracy obtained for online standard additions calibration was within 2%, and the precision was within 5%.

Quantification of transition metals in biological samples and its possible impact on ferro-alloy workers.

Increased risk of ill-health and diseases has been associated with employment in the ferro-alloy factory. Since measurement of transition metals in human blood and hair along with respective exposure rates, provides a means of assessing individual risk, it has been the most important part of the study. In the study majority of the elements in the transition series, such as, vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt, (Co) nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) were considered which are randomly emitted from the source, that is, manganese ore (used during ferro-alloy manufacturing process). The commonly available transition, metals, observed in biological samples of ferro-alloy workers, were found to be Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd, V Mn and Mo in blood, while in hair, Mn, Fe, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd, V and Mo were present in decreasing order Surveillance of bio-concentration of these metals in workers, exposed to close proximity of the coke-ovens and smelting furnaces, revealed that the workers were prone to several physical disorders.

Application of constant-current coulometry for estimation of plasma total antioxidant capacity and its relationship with transition metal contents.

Simple and express coulometric method for the evaluation of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of human plasma based on the reaction with electrogenerated bromine is applied. TAC of plasma from patients with different ethiology of chronic renal failure was observed. The levels of antioxidant capacity for venous and arterial plasma are authentically different (15+/-1 kCl/L versus 11.7+/-0.7 kCl/L, p<0.01). The application of Vitamin E and ximedon as an antioxidant treatment significantly increase TAC level of plasma. Free liposoluble antioxidants in plasma in alpha-tocopherol units was determined. Redox potential of plasma is measured and its correlation with lg(TAC) is obtained. Transition metal contents of Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Cr in plasma of patients with chronic renal failure is significantly higher than that for a control group. Correlation analysis has shown negative linear regression between TAC value and transition metals concentration in plasma. This confirms interrelation of processes with participation of free radicals, antioxidants and transition metals as donors of electrons in chain radical processes. Moreover, it shows utility of common parameters, TAC for example, for estimation of efficiency of antioxidant defense system in living organism, in particular its antioxidant status.

Biomonitoring of titanium, mercury, platinum, rhodium and palladium in dental health care workers.

BACKGROUND: In dentistry, titanium, mercury, platinum, rhodium and palladium are used to produce dental fillings. Therefore, dental workers who apply such materials may be exposed to these metals. METHODS: The study concerned 40 healthy subjects-20 controls and 20 dental health care workers-to determine serum and urinary levels of the aforementioned metals by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Mean urinary and serum titanium did not reveal statistically significant differences in the two groups. The very low urinary and serum levels of mercury, platinum, rhodium and palladium prevented us from making a statistical evaluation between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find a significant increase in serum and urinary titanium levels in dental health care workers. Measurement of mercury, platinum, rhodium and palladium in urine and serum was not useful in determining occupational exposure.