Emerging Fusarium mycotoxins in organic and conventional pasta collected in Spain

One of the main sources of emerging Fusarium mycotoxins in human nutrition is the cereals and cereal products. In this study, an analytical method to determine enniatins A, A1, B and B1 (ENs), beauvericin (BEA) and fusaproliferin (FUS) based on Ultra-Turrax extraction followed by liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometer detector (MS/MS QqQ), was applied for the analysis of pasta. For this purpose, 114 commercial samples of pasta were acquired from supermarkets located in Valencia. The results showed higher frequencies of contamination in organic pasta than in conventional pasta, while the concentration levels were variable for both types of pasta. In positive samples, BEA levels varied from 0.10 to 20.96 μg/kg and FUS levels varied from 0.05 to 8.02 μg/kg. ENs levels ranged from 0.25 to 979.56 μg/kg, though the majority of the values were below 25 μg/kg. Besides, it was observed the simultaneous presence of two or more mycotoxins in a high percentage of the samples. Finally, an evaluation of the dietary exposure of the emerging Fusarium mycotoxins was performed in the Spanish population. The prevalence of ENs, BEA and FUS in cereal products suggests that the toxins may pose a health risk to Spanish population.     

Relationships between trace element concentrations in human blood and serum

Trace element interactions can affect the absorption, metabolism, or effects of elements. Also, different elements may derive from the same source. Associations in biological media between element concentrations may indicate such phenomena. A large number of correlations were found between 13 trace elements (Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Rh, Pd, Cd, W, Pt, Hg, Tl, and Pb) in human blood and/or serum, as investigated in 372 Swedish adolescents. Notably, serum Se correlated with blood Pb and blood Hg and Cu and Zn were correlated to each other in both blood and serum. The elements Pt, Pd and Rh, spread in the environment through use of catalytic converters in cars, were closely correlated in both blood and serum. Apart from the correlations with a probable biological or exposure-related explanation, several other correlations, of yet unknown importance and origin, were found.     

Cadmium and lead accumulation in cattle in NW Spain

This study investigated if differences in nutritional management (linked to feed composition and feed intake) could determine differences in the toxic metal accumulations in beef and dairy cattle in NW Spain. Cadmium and lead concentrations were determined in the liver, kidney and muscle of 57 cows (3-16 y-o) by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Dairy cattle accumulated significantly higher cadmium and lead residues in liver (51.6 and 43.7 microg/kg fresh weight) than did beef cattle (35.7 and 14.7 microg/kg). In the kidney and muscle, cadmium and lead residues were similar in both dairy and beef cattle. The higher metal accumulations in the liver of dairy cattle could be related not only to higher dietary intake, but also to the higher hepatic metabolism associated with milk production.     

Influence of Cu supplementation on toxic and essential trace element status in intensive reared beef cattle

The aim of this study is to evaluate if dietary Cu supplementation that leads to a hepatic Cu accumulation over the normal range has an influence on trace element status that could contribute to the pathogenesis of other mineral related disorders. Samples (liver, kidney, spleen, diaphragm and brain) of beef calves receiving typical commercial diets Cu supplemented and non-supplemented were tested for differences in non-essential and essential trace elements determined by ICP-MS. As (kidney and diaphragm), Hg (liver and kidney), and Pb (liver, kidney and spleen) were significantly lower, while Cd residues (liver and kidney) were significantly higher in the Cu supplemented group. Mn and Ni significantly decreased and Mo increased in the brain, and Se (diaphragm) decreased in the Cu supplemented group. These interactions are unknown, and possibly with more than two metals involved as suggested in the case of the ratio Se:Cu in the animals of this study. The possible role of Cu supplementation on the status of certain metals associated to neurological diseases (Mn–Ni) in the brain deserves further investigation. Finally new research on Cu–Se supplementation is necessary to better understand the risk of the animals to suffer from Se deficiency.     

Effect of type of muscle and Cu supplementation on trace element concentrations in cattle meat

Considering that meat is an important source of metals exposure to humans it is important to explore trace element concentrations in different types of muscles. Because of the demonstrated effect of Cu-supplementation on mineral status, the influence of Cu-supplementation was also evaluated. Samples of four different muscles (diaphragm, cardiac, semitendinous and pectoral, n = 120) from beef calves receiving typical commercial diets Cu-supplemented (15 mg Cu₂SO₄/kg DM) and non-supplemented were taken and acid digested. The levels of non-essential (As, Cd, Hg, Pb and Sn) and essential (Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se and Zn) elements were analyzed by ICP-MS. The statistical analyzes included two way Anova, post hoc DHS Tukey and Spearman correlations. The most active and less fat containing muscles showed in general the highest essential and the lowest non-essential trace element accumulation. As and Hg muscular residues are indicative of animal exposure, however, in situations of an adequate mineral status, essential trace element concentrations in muscle are irrespective of the mineral status of the animal and could be possibly related to their own particular muscular metabolism. Cu-supplementation significantly reduced As but caused a significant decrease of Se, which could have significance for the animal’s health.     

Essential trace metals and brain function

Trace metals such as zinc, manganese, and iron are necessary for the growth and function of the brain. The transport of trace metals into the brain is strictly regulated by the brain barrier system, i.e., the blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barriers. Trace metals usually serve the function of metalloproteins in neurons and glial cells, while a portion of trace metals exists in the presynaptic vesicles and may be released with neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. Zinc and manganese influence the concentration of neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft, probably via the action against neurotransmitter receptors and transporters and ion channels. Zinc may be an inhibitory neuromodulator of glutamate release in the hippocampus, while neuromodulation by manganese might mean functional and toxic aspects in the synapse. Dietary zinc deficiency affects zinc homeostasis in the brain, followed by an enhanced susceptibility to the excitotoxicity of glutamate in the hippocampus. Transferrin may be involved in the physiological transport of iron and manganese into the brain and their utilization there. It is reported that the brain transferrin concentration is decreased in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease and that brain iron metabolism is also altered. The homeostasis of trace metals in the brain is important for brain function and also for the prevention of brain diseases.     

Toxin composition of the toxic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum lima isolated from different locations along the Galician coast (NW Spain).

The DSP toxin composition of 19 Prorocentrum lima isolates from different locations of the Galician rias (Vigo and Pontevedra) was investigated by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorimetric detection. Boiling and freeze/thaw/hydrolyse methodology were applied during extraction to detect OA, DTX1, DTX2 and their esterified derivatives. OA and DTX2 were detected in both free and esterified form, the latter always in very low amounts, whilst DTX1 was always present in the free form. This indicate that the hypothesized self-protection mechanism of toxin storage in the less active esterified forms does not seem to apply to DTX1. A slight increase in the toxin concentration per cell was found during growth, although toxin composition did not vary appreciably. Toxin production and toxin profile varied significantly depending on the isolate. Four groups of P. lima were differentiated by cluster analysis according to their toxin composition. It is noteworthy that one of the clusters comprised all the strains collected from one location characterised by its geographical isolation, whereas the other clusters consisted of isolates from different locations. The differences in the toxin profile from P. lima strains and from the DSP contaminated shellfish, together with the very good correlation between Dinophysis spp occurrence and DSP toxicity in shellfish, support that these planktonic species are the main agents responsible for DSP events in Galicia.     

Therapeutic and toxic concentrations of mirtazapine

Six cases involving the antidepressant mirtazapine were analyzed in detail at the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office from 2004 to 2005. Mirtazapine was initially detected and confirmed in each of these cases by a liquid-liquid gas chromatography (GC)-MS basic drug screen. Following another liquid-liquid basic extraction, mirtazapine was quantitated by GC with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. For each case, mirtazapine concentrations in peripheral blood (pb), central blood (cb), vitreous (vit), and liver were determined against matrix specific calibration curves (limit of detection 0.01 mg/L; linear range 0.025-1.0 mg/L). In contrast with earlier studies of postmortem distribution of mirtazapine, we found concentrations in liver that were significantly higher. Mirtazapine was identified in the cause of death by the pathologist in three cases. In the drug-related deaths, mirtazapine concentrations (mean +/- S.D.) were 2.0 +/- 1.5 mg/L (pb), 1.6 +/- 1.0 mg/L (cb), 0.78 +/- 0.56 mg/L (vit), and 10 +/- 7.4 mg/kg (liver). Alternatively, concentrations considered therapeutic (three non-drug-related deaths) were (mean +/- S.D.) 0.18 +/- 0.22 mg/L (pb), 0.16 +/- 0.17 mg/L (cb), 0.12 +/- 0.16 mg/L (vit), and 0.73 +/- 0.68 mg/kg (liver). Although mirtazapine concentrations were elevated in blood and liver in three cases, it should be noted that other drugs were also found in toxic concentrations in each case. These data may further support the fact that mirtazapine is a relatively safe drug with respect to overdose.     

Alterations in trace amine and trace acid concentrations in isolated aggressive mice

We have used an animal model of aggression, the isolation syndrome in mice, to examine the possible role of the trace amines, β-phenylethylamine (PEA), meta-tyramine (m-TA) and para-tyramine (p-TA) in aggressive behaviour. The brain, plasma and urinary levels of PEA, m-Ta and p-Ta, and their respective major acid metabolites, phenylacetic acid (PAA), meta-hydroxyphenylacetic acid m-HPA and para-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (p-HPA) were measured in isolated aggressive mice (after fighting), and in group housed controls. The urinary levels of the plasma levels of PAA and p-HPA were significantly lower in isolated aggressive mice. Similarly, the whole brain levels of PEA, p-TA, PAA and p-HPA tended to be reduced. In contrast, the brain levels of m-TA and m-HPA tended to increase. It should be noted, however, that the present procedure did not dissociate the stress and aggression components of the isolation syndrome, and, therefore, further experiments are required to determine whether the observed neurochemical changes are functionally related to increased aggression.     

Toxicant exposure and trace element metabolism in pregnancy

A review of the literature provides support for the concept that maternal nutritional status has a significant influence on embryonic and fetal development. The consumption of ‘poor' diets has been shown to be a risk factor for poor pregnancy outcome, while the provision of selected nutritional supplements prior to and during pregnancy has been associated with improved pregnancy outcome. Despite the above, it has been difficult to identify specific nutrient deficiencies as causative factors of abnormal development. One explanation for this failure is that embryo/fetal nutritional deficiencies can arise through a number of mechanisms in addition to a low maternal intake of a nutrient(s). Evidence is presented for the hypothesis that the developmental toxicity of a number of teratogens can be ascribed, in part, to their ability to induce alterations in the partitioning of essential trace elements between the maternal and fetal unit. An implication of the above hypothesis is that maternal diet can be an important modulator of the developmental toxicity of several agents.     

Temporal trends in mercury concentrations in raptor flight feathers stored in an environmental specimen bank in Galicia (NW Spain) between 2000 and 2013

Temporal trends in Hg concentrations were investigated in primary flight feathers from 319 specimens of three birds of prey: P7 in the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), P6 in the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and P5 in the tawny owl (Strix aluco). The samples were stored in a regional environmental specimen bank and belonged to specimens which died between 2000 and 2013 in Galicia (NW Spain). We would expect to see a decline in Hg concentrations across the study period, as data of atmospheric emissions show a gradual reduction of this pollutant in Europe in the last two decades. The study did not reveal any temporal pattern in Hg concentrations of feathers in any of the three species for the study period, may be due to the persistence of Hg in the environment, but showed a low level of contamination by this metal in the study area. In addition, the results show high intra-specific, as well as, inter-annual and inter-specific variability in data, mainly attributed to the level of exposure of the raptors to this pollutant and to the biomagnification process of Hg through food chains. These findings indicate that the high variability can be a limiting factor in the use of raptors for biomonitoring temporal patterns of Hg, but nevertheless, the technique provides qualitative information about the amount of Hg that reach the top of the terrestrial food chains.     

Cadmium exposure and trace elements in human breast milk

The interrelations of the seven elements, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) in human breast milk were examined in Japanese mothers to clarify the effects of Cd exposure on these important elements for infant growth. Breast milk and urine samples were obtained from 68 mothers, aged 19-38 years, at 5-8 days postpartum. The concentrations were determined by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry for Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry for Cu and Zn, and by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry for Cd. Geometrical mean Cd concentrations were 0.28 (geometrical standard deviation=1.82) microg/l in breast milk and 1.00 (1.93) microg/g creatinine in urine. Among the above elements only Cd concentration in breast milk was significantly correlated with urinary Cd concentration (r=0.451, P<0.001). Significant positive correlations were found between Cu and Ca (r=0.500, P<0.001), Cu and Mg (r=0.378, P<0.01), and Zn and Mg (r=0.355, P<0.01) in breast milk. Cd concentration in breast milk showed an inverse relationship with Ca concentration in breast milk (r=-0.248, P<0.05). These results indicate that the Cd concentration in breast milk closely reflects Cd body burden, with increased Cd in breast milk possibly affecting Ca secretion in breast milk.     

Changes in the blood-brain barrier permeability and in the brain tissue trace element concentrations after single and repeated pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in rats.

The behaviour of brain capillary endothelium to the passage of macromolecules in single and repeated seizures conditions and its relationship to the brain trace element concentrations are the main subject of this study. For this purpose, animals were treated with either single or repeated doses of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). As a marker of blood-brain barrier (B-BB) permeability changes, Evans Blue (EB) dye was used. Seizure activity was observed and seizure patterns and convulsion times were recorded. PTZ treatment induced generalised tonic-clonic seizure in all animals, but seizures were found to be lasting longer in single seizure group than repeated seizures group. Seizures induced by single dose PTZ treatment resulted in bilateral EB leakage in the preoptic area, caudate nucleus, putamen, thalamus, hypothalamus, midbrain, and the superior colliculus. However, repeated PTZ-induced seizures led to EB leakage in the brains of only few number of rats, and it was confined to hypothalamus, caudate nucleus, cerebellum, thalamus, and pons. On the other hand, while the levels of copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) in brain tissue were found to be decreased significantly in the repeated seizures group when compared with the other groups, the levels of zinc (Zn) did not show any differences between groups. These results indicate that the regional B-BB opening markedly differs between single and repeated PTZ-induced seizures group and this difference may be due to PTZ tolerance and changes in cerebral endothelial structure.     

Cadmium in edible mushrooms from NW Spain: Bioconcentration factors and consumer health implications

Mushrooms do not constitute a significant portion of the human diet, but the consumption of wild and cultivated mushrooms has become increasingly in recent years. Some species accumulate high levels of toxic metals, both in unpolluted and polluted areas. In this study, we examined the accumulation capacity of cadmium in edible mushrooms in relation to certain factors and their possible toxicological implications. Cadmium concentrations were determined by an ICP-MS spectrometer in 238 samples of the fruiting bodies of 28 wild and cultivated growing edible mushrooms species and the underlying soil. The hymenophore (H) and the rest of the fruiting body (RFB) were analysed separately. The highest mean cadmium concentration (mg/kg dry weight) was found in Agaricus macrosporus (52.9 in H and 28.3 in RFB). All mushroom species accumulated cadmium in relation to the underlying soils. There were statistically significant differences between the hymenophore and the rest of the fruiting body (p < 0.001). Cadmium concentrations were compared to data in the literature and to levels set by legislation. It was concluded that consumption of our studied mushrooms is not a toxicological risk as far as cadmium content is concerned, although the species A. macrosporus should not be consumed.     

Effect of the environmental quality and food chain on trace element concentrations in Heron and Egret chicks at Pyeongtaek Colony,Korea

Trace element concentrations in the diet can affect the levels in birds. Heron and egret chicks have been recommended as useful biological indicators for monitoring trace element contamination in the aquatic ecosystem. Iron, zinc, manganese, copper, lead and cadmium concentrations were measured in the livers and stomach contents of Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) and Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) chicks from Pyeongtaek colony, Korea in 2008. Iron, zinc, manganese, copper and cadmium concentrations in livers differed among four heron and egret species. Stomach content concentrations of iron, zinc, copper, lead and cadmium concentrations differed among the four species. Essential elements such as iron, zinc, manganese and copper concentrations were within the range of other heron and egret studies and these levels may be regulated by a normal homeostatic mechanism. Two of 11 (18.2 %) Grey Heron and two of 10 (20.0 %) Black-crowned Night Heron chicks exceeded the background lead level (<6 µg/g dw) for birds and were at a level considered lead exposed (6–30 µg/g dw). Cadmium concentrations did not exceed the background levels for wild birds. In livers of combined heron and egret chicks, lead, but not cadmium concentrations were associated with concentrations in the stomach contents. These results suggest that lead concentrations in chicks can reflect qualities of feeding area such as streams, rivers and paddy fields and chicks represent a bioindicator to evaluate lead contamination in aquatic ecosystems.     

Cadmium concentrations in milk and blood of smoking mothers

Cadmium concentrations were measured by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry in blood and mature milk of 15 nonsmoking and 56 smoking mothers during the nursing period. Both blood and milk concentrations increased with increasing cigarette consumption. The median blood and milk concentrations in nonsmokers were 0.54 and 0.07 microgram/l, respectively; these values rose to 1.54 and 0.16 micrograms/l in blood and milk of mothers smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day. Milk concentrations of cadmium were approximately 10% of corresponding blood concentrations. The cadmium exposure of infants nursed by nonsmoking as well as by smoking mothers was far below the exposure of formula-fed infants or the provisional acceptable weekly intake level set by the WHO.     

Cadmium-induced route-specific alterations in essential trace element homeostasis

To determine if route-specific differences in essential trace element homeostasis occur after cadmium (Cd) exposure, selected metals (Zn, Fe, Ca, K, Cu, Mg, and Cd) were determined in testis, liver and lung after subcutaneous and intravenous Cd treatment. Cd by the subcutaneous route had the most pronounced effects on essential trace element homeostasis in the testes, increasing the concentration of Zn (51%), Fe (242%), Ca (95%), K (93%), and Cu (345%) in conjunction with a decrease of testicular Mg (46%), while few changes occurred with intravenous Cd. In the lung, modest changes of all elements except Ca and Cu were observed with Cd. However, alterations in Fe and Zn concentration were seen only in the liver. The present study suggests that levels of the essential metals in a particular tissue can be modified depending on the route of Cd administration.     

妊娠剧吐与微量元素的关系

目的：通过测定妊娠剧吐孕妇头发中微量元素的含量,与同期正常孕妇做对照,以探讨微量元素与妊娠剧吐的关系,为临床诊断、治疗、预防提供科学的依据。方法：选择妊娠剧吐孕妇200例及同期正常孕妇200例,分别检测其发中微量元素锌、铜、硒、锰的含量,结果进行统计学分析。结果：研究组孕妇发中锌和锰的含量显著低于对照组。结论：微量元素锌和锰的缺乏与妊娠剧吐的发生有一定的关系。     

刺梨中微量元素和总黄酮的含量测定

目的：测定刺梨中微量元素和总黄酮的含量。方法：采用原子吸收光谱法测定微量元素并用正交设计法筛选出最佳提取工艺，以分光光度法测定总黄酮。结果：刺梨中含有所测的10种微量元素Zn，Mn，Cu，Co，Ni，Cr，Sr，Fe，Li，Rb以及总黄酮约为0．847％(n=3)。结论：刺梨可以作为一种药食两用的植物资源，有待于进一步开发和利用。