Relative in vitro affinity of hepatic metallothionein for metals

The ability of selected metals (Ag, Al, As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Tl and V) to displace Zn from Zn-metallothionein (Zn-MT) was quantitated. Of the metals tested Cd had the highest affinity for MT, with 1.33 microM displacing 50% of the 65Zn bound to MT (EC50), followed by Pb (1.46 microM), Cu (1.93 microM), Hg (3.93 microM), Zn (8.06 microM), Ag (10.4 microM), Ni (474 microM) and Co (880 microM). As, Ca and Mo had a limited ability to displace Zn from MT while Al, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Tl and V had no effect on Zn binding even at 1.0 mM.     

A study on metals content in patients with colorectal polyps

Data on metals involvement in colorectal polyps are scarce and fragmentary. The aim of this study was to examine whether the level of metals could be associated with risk of colorectal polyp development. The concentration of 15 chemical elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg Mg, Mn, Pb, Se, Sr, and Zn) in 17 colorectal biopsies of healthy individuals, in 15 polypotic and corresponding nonpolypotic biopsies taken from the same individual, was evaluated. Concentration in polyps of metals such as Al, Ca, Mg, Mn, Pb, Sr, and Zn was unchanged both in unpaired and paired samples; elements such as Ba, Cd, and Hg were significantly lower and Fe was significantly higher both in individual and paired tissues. Cobalt, Cr, and Cu were significantly different only between polyps and the adjacent normal tissue area; Se showed a significant accumulation comparing polyps versus healthy tissues. The difference found in some elements between polyps and a control tissue provides an indication about the role of essential and nonessential elements in the early stage (polyps) in the colon carcinogenic process and encourages further studies to confirm the involvement of such elements in neoplastic processes.     

Speciation and distribution characteristics of heavy metals and pollution assessments in the sediments of Nashina Lake,Heilongjiang, China

Sediment core samples from Nashina Lake, Heilongjiang, China were collected using a gravity sampler. The cores were sliced horizontally at 1 cm each to determine the particle size, total concentrations and speciation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Total concentrations of heavy metals were extracted using an acid mixture (containing hydro fluoric acid, nitric acid, and sulphuric acid) and analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. A sequential extraction procedure was employed to separate chemical species. Analysis of results indicate that the concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments of Nashina Lake in descending order are Mn, Cr, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu, and Cd. The ratios of the average concentrations of four heavy metals (e.g.Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn) to their background values were >1; and those of Mn, Cd, and Pb were >1. Moreover, some toxic metals were mainly distributed in bioavailable fractions. For instance, both Cd and Mn were typically found in Acid-extractable species or Fe–Mn oxide species, and thus can be easily remobilized and enter the food chain. Finally, the analysis of geo-accumulation index showed that anthropogenic pollution levels of Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn were low, but those of Pb and Cd were at the moderate level. As both Pb and Cd are toxic metals, it is highly necessary to prohibit their transformation and accumulation in the sediments.     

ICP-AES/ICP-MS测定西藏和河南产藏红花中主要金属元素及重金属含量(英文)

建立了ICP-AES/ICP-MS测定西藏和河南产藏红花中19种元素含量的方法。19种元素包括主要元素Ca、Fe、Mg、P、Sr、Al、Mn、Zn、V、Cr、Se、Co、Ni、Mo和重金属As、Cu、Cd、Hg、Pb。对于所测元素,标准曲线的相关系数>0.9938,方法的相对标准偏差RSD<5.25%。结果表明,ICP-AES/ICP-MS可用于藏红花质量控制,并为西藏和河南产藏红花中元素的含量测定提供了方法。     

Concentration of Metallothionein in Major Organs of Rats after Administration of Various Metals

Concentration of Metallothionein in Major Organs of Rats afterAdministration of Various Metals. WAALKES, M. P., AND KLAASSEN,C. D. (1985) Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 5, 473–477. The effectof various metals (Cd, Cr, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, Zn) at maximumtolerated doses on metallothionein (MT) concentrations in majororgans (brain, heart, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas,spleen, stomach, and testes) of rats was measured by the Cd-radioassaytechnique. Zn produced the most dramatic changes in MT, increasingconcentrations 260-, 86-, 44-, and 14-fold over control forpancreas, intestine, liver, and kidney, respectively. Zn increasedMT in every organ examined except brain. Cd was also effectivein increasing MT levels, elevating concentrations in all organsexcept brain and testes. Testes was the only organ in whicha metal decreased MT levels, where Cd produced a 90% decrease.Cr, Fe, Pb, and Mn increased MT concentrations only in hepatictissue, while Hg and Ni increased MT in liver, kidney, and pancreas.Results indicate that Zn is the most effective inducer of MTsynthesis in several tissues and that liver appears to be themost responsive organ to increased MT synthesis following exposureto a number of metals     

中药马齿苋的微量元素测定

本文报道用原子吸收分光光度法及等离子体发射光谱法测定马齿苋中二十一种微量元素的结果。     

Concentrations and solubility of selected trace metals in leaf and bagged black teas commercialized in Poland

The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in bagged and leaf black teas of the same brand and evaluate the percentage transfer of metals to tea infusion to assess the consumer exposure. Ten leaf black teas and 10 bagged black teas of the same brand available in Poland were analyzed for Zn, Mn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co, Cr, Al, and Fe concentrations both in dry material and their infusion. The bagged teas contained higher amounts of Pb, Mn, Fe, Ni, Al, and Cr compared with leaf teas of the same brand, whereas the infusions of bagged tea contained higher levels of Mn, Ni, Al, and Cr compared with leaf tea infusions. Generally, the most abundant trace metals in both types of tea were Al and Mn. There was a wide variation in percentage transfer of elements from the dry tea materials to the infusions. The solubility of Ni and Mn was the highest, whereas Fe was insoluble and only a small portion of this metal content may leach into infusion. With respect to the acceptable daily intake of metals, the infusions of both bagged and leaf teas analyzed were found to be safe for human consumption.     

四川不同产地淫羊藿中无机元素的分析测定

目的:建立淫羊藿无机元素的测定方法,并对四川不同产地淫羊藿中16种无机元素进行比较研究。方法:用火焰原子吸收光谱法(FAAS)测定K、Na、Se、Hg、As、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn的含量,用石墨炉原子吸收光谱法(GFAAS)测定Mo、Pb、Cd、Cr和Co的含量。结果:所有样品中均含有16种无机元素,其中,K、Na、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn等6种元素的平均含量较高。FAAS法测定K、Na、Se、Hg、As、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn的回收率为99.0%~103.9%,RSD为0.56%~1.8%;GFAAS法测定Mo、Pb、Cd、Cr和Co的回收率为99.4%~101.5%,RSD为0.21%~2.5%;各元素的相关系数为0.9990~1.0000。结论:该方法快速、简便、准确;测定结果为制订淫羊藿重金属元素及有害元素限量标准提供一定参考,同时为其合理用药和规范化栽培基地的选择提供依据。     

火焰原子吸收光谱法测定附子中微量元素的含量

目的:建立以空气-乙炔火焰原子吸收光谱法测定附子中铜(Cu)、铁(Fe)、锰(Mn)、铅(Pb)、镉(Cd)、铬(Cr)、锌(Zn)、镍(Ni)、钙(Ca)、镁(Mg)10种微量元素含量的方法。方法:样品经硝酸-高氯酸(4∶1)浸泡,置电热板上140℃消解处理。结果:测得各线性范围(μg·mL-1):Cu为0～3.0,Fe为0～4.0,Mn为0～1.0,Pb为0～5.0,Cd为0～0.25,Cr为0～4.0,Zn为0～2.0,Ni为0～5.0,Ca为0～4.0,Mg为0～4.0;相关系数均>0.9926;回收率在100.11%～102.62%之间;方法精密度的RSD在0.16%～2.2%之间。结论:该方法适合中药附子的Cu、Fe、Mn、Pb、Cd、Cr、Zn、Ni、Ca、Mg的含量测定,可为进一步研究附子中微量元素与其临床疗效关系提供有益依据。     

Inter-element interactions in human hair

The concentrations of 33 elements: Ca, Mg, Na, U, Cu, Zn, P, Fe, Mn, Cr, Se, B, Co, Mo, Si, V, Ni, Be, Hg, Cd, Al, Pb, As, Ba, Au, Pt, Ag, Sr, Sn, Ti, W, Sb and Zr in hair were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Hair samples (n=83) were collected between 1996 and 2003 from inhabitants of city of Wroc?aw, located in Lower Silesia, south-west Poland (urbanized and industrialized region). Inter-element interactions were studied by evaluation of correlation coefficients between two elements, as well as by multiple regression analysis. The strongest relations found between the elements in the hair were as follows: Mg and Ca, Mn and Ca, Sr and Ca, Sr and Mg, U and Na, Ni and Zn, Mn and Sr, Cd and Ni, Sb and Pt. We obtained also the following essential linear multiple dependences (p<0.05): Al=f(U, P, Mn), As=f(Zn, Fe) (Zn is negatively correlated, β<0), Cu=f(V), Fe=f(Mn, As), Mg=f(Ca), Ca=f(Mg, Ba), Ni=f(Zn, Cd), Sb=f(Pt, Sn, W) and Ti=f(Fe, Co). These relations can be useful in the explanation of relationships among the elements in man.     

Effects of vegetative-periodic-induced rhizosphere variation on the uptake and translocation of metals in Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin ex. Steudel growing in the Sun Island Wetland

To evaluate the vegetative periodic effect of rhizosphere on the patterns of metal bioaccumulation, the concentrations of Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb in the corresponding rhizosphere soil and tissues of Phragmites australis growing in the Sun Island wetland (Harbin, China) were compared. The concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb in roots were higher than in shoots, suggesting that roots are the primary accumulation organs for these metals and there exists an exclusion strategy for metal tolerance. In contrast, the rest of the metals showed an opposite trend, suggesting that they were not restricted in roots. Harvesting would particularly be an effective method to remove Mn from the environment. The concentrations of metals in shoots were generally higher in autumn than in summer, suggesting that Ph. australis possesses an efficient root-to-shoot translocation system, which is activated at the end of the growing season and allows more metals into the senescent tissues. Furthermore, metal bioaccumulation of Ph. australis was affected by vegetative periodic variation through the changing of physicochemical and microbial conditions. The rhizospheric microbial characteristics were significantly related to the concentrations of Mg, K, Zn, Fe and Cu, suggesting that microbial influence on metal accumulation is specific and selective, not eurytopic.     

Potential ecological risk of heavy metals and metalloid in the sediments of Wuyuer River basin,Heilongjiang Province,China

The spatial distribution, sources, and potential ecological risk of heavy metals and metalloid were evaluated in sediments of the Wuyuer River and its tributaries. Metal and metalloid concentrations and chemical speciation (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, As, Zn and Hg) in 187 surface sediment samples were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Metals and metalloid in the sediments of the Wuyuer River were greater than the background values of the Songnen Plain, and mean heavy metal concentrations were greater in downstream segments of the river than in upstream segments. Speciation results indicated that Cd was chemically mobile and Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, and Ni were potentially bioavailable. Mercury and As existed mainly in the residual fraction. Hakanson’s potential risk index indicated that the total potential ecological risk of these elements was moderate in the Wuyuer River. Among the selected metals and metalloid, Hg and Cd were the most potentially toxic and mainly distributed near the cities of Keshan, Yi’an and Fuyü. Because the speciation of Cd in the river sediments is highly bioavailable, the concentrations of Cd should be closely monitored. This research provides managers with information needed to better regulate the environment of the Wuyuer River.     

反渗透膜浓缩技术对60mg促肝细胞生长素粉针剂常见金属元素含量影响的研究

目的了解反渗透膜浓缩技术对60mg促肝细胞生长素（PHGF）中钠（Na）、钾（K）、镁（Mg）、钙（Ca）、铁（Fe）、铬（Cr）、锰（Mn）、镍（Ni）、铜（Cu）、锌（Zn）、砷（As）、银（Ag）、镉（Cd）、锑（Sb）、钡（Ba）、铅（Ph）等金属元素含量的影响,为药品工艺改进、质量控制及临床安全用药提供科学依据。方法采用在线内标,建立电感耦合等离子体质谱（ICPMS）技术对样品常见金属元素的检测方法,并对药品金属元素进行检测,比较2种规格药品中金属元素含量差异。结果ICPMS测定PHGF常见金属元素线性相关系数均〉0．9990;方法准确度、精确度和稳定性均达到要求,有证参考物质全血验证,方法准确度、精密度高。60mgPHGF与20mgPHGF生产工艺稳定,元素批间相对误差分别在0．00％-5．48％、0．24％-6．05％之间;2种规格药品各检测元素比较,Na、Mg、K、Fe、Ni、Zn、As、A异、Cd间均P〉0．05;Ca、Mn、Cu、Sb、Ba、Pb问均P〈0．01;Cr间P〈0．05。结论60mgPHGF与20mgPHGF检测元素比较,Na、Mg、K、Fe、Ni、Zn、As、Ag、Cd元素含量没明显差异;Ca、Mn、Cu、Sb、Ba、Pb元素含量有非常显著差异,20mgPHGF中Ca、Mn、Ba、Pb含量高。     

Dose-response effects of various metal ions on rat liver metallothionein,glutathione, heme oxygenase,and cytochrome P-450

Adult male rats received ip injections of the maximum tolerable dose (MTD; μmol/kg/day, in parentheses following metal), or a fraction thereof, of Hg (5), Cd (20), Se (25), Ag (65), Cu (75), Co (100), Ni (120), Zn (200), Mn (250), Fe (300), Pb (400), or Cr (400) 36 and 12 hr before sacrifice. MTDs were estimated from previous studies, and at least three serial dilutions ($\text{1}\text{2}$, $\text{1}\text{4}$, $\text{1}\text{8}$, etc.) of the MTDs were tested for each metal. The effects of metal treatment on hepatic heme oxygenase activity (HO), cytochrome P-450, reduced glutathione (GSH) and metallothionein (MT), and renal MT and GSH were determined. Nine metals increased HO at the MTD, but only Cd, Se, Mn, and Pb increased HO at lower doses. These four metals plus Ag and Cr depressed cytochrome P-450 levels at the MTD, but only Cd, Mn, and Pb depressed cytochrome P-450 at a lower dose. Se increased hepatic GSH at the two highest doses, but all other metals had little or no effect. Kidney GSH was increased by all metals except Cd, Ag, Cu, and Cr, to a maximum level of only 150% of control (Pb). Cd and Zn induced hepatic MT in a dose-related manner to 420 and 580% of control, respectively. On a molar basis, Cd was about eight times more potent than Zn in increasing hepatic MT concentration. Hg, Ni, Mn, Fe, Pb, and Cr also significantly increased hepatic MT, but only to 150–200% of control. Pb had a slight but significant effect on hepatic MT at all doses down to 1/16th the MTD. This effect of PB, as well as other metals having a small effect on MT, may be the result of the effects of stress on MT rather than the metal ion per se. Renal MT was effectively induced by Hg, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb. Relatively small amounts of Hg (0.62 μmol/kg/day) significantly increased renal MT when compared to the minimum effective dose of Cd (10 μmol/kg/day) or Zn (50 μmol/kg/day). In conclusion, metals have a number of effects on potential hepatic and renal biochemical defense mechanisms. Most of the metals lacked specificity, affecting a number but not all of the parameters examined. However, of the 12 metals examined, Zn was the most selective in that it produced marked increases in MT and little or no effect on the other parameters, whereas Cd had the broadest effect, altering all parameters except GSH.     

土鳖虫药材无机元素的测定及其药用质量考察

目的 考察土鳖虫药材无机元素类别与含量状况.方法 对样品进行性状和理化鉴别检验;采用ICP-OES法和ICP-MS法分别测定虫体和食物团中Na、Al、Mg、K、Ca、Mn、Fe、Cu、Zn、Cr、Ni、As、Cd、Pb 14种元素的含量.结果 土鳖虫药材含有较多无机成分,其中Al、K及部分重金属及有害元素含量偏高,并且体腔食物团中无机元素含量普遍高于虫体.结论 土鳖虫药材质量堪忧,应注意药用安全.     

Removal of heavy metals by conventional water treatment plants using poly aluminum chloride

In this study, trace heavy metals, such as aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) were investigated in the water of the Karun River that enters the water treatment plants (WTP1 and WTP2) in Ahvaz City, Iran. Removal efficiency of these heavy metals was assessed in various units of WTP1 and WTP2, as well. For this purpose, water samples were collected from four different points of the WTP1 and WTP2, namely, the influent (raw water, RW), the effluent of the clarifier (clarifier effluent, CE), and the effluent of the filter (filter effluent, FE). A total of 72 water samples were collected and analyzed for heavy metals using ICP-OES apparatus. The results indicated that all RW samples contain Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn within the US EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), except Al, Fe, Mn, and Sb that crossed the MCLs. High levels of Al (649.9 (±171.6) µg/L, 806.4 (±135.1) µg/L), Fe (484.95 (±127.05) µg/L, and 529.7 (±119.6) µg/L) were found in finished water of WTP1 and WTP2, respectively. Experimental results showed that level of all studied heavy metals except Al reduced in WTP1 and WTP2 effluent. From the observed data, it is found that effluent Al concentration was over influent Al concentration in both WTP1 and WTP2. It is concluded that using PACl as coagulant in WTP1 and WTP2 can increase concentration of aluminum.     

Metal bioaccumulation and its genotoxic effects on eggs and hatchlings of giant Amazon river turtle (Podocnemis expansa)

The aim of this study was to assess whether possible metal contamination in the sediment of the nests of giant Amazon river turtle, Podocnemis expansa, could contaminate eggs and hatchlings, triggering genotoxic damage. Therefore, sediments of P. expansa nests from two sites in the Brazilian Amazon were evaluated, with the first being collected at Araguaia River and the second at Crixás-Açu River. Newly hatched offspring, eggs, and sediments were collected from the beaches of these two rivers and the quantification of metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) was carried out by atomic absorption spectroscopy. All targeted metals were found in both sediment and P. expansa biological samples collected on the beaches presenting higher concentrations in the sediment of Crixás-Açu River. Metals found in the eggshells before nesting and in the egg contents were maternally transferred. Moreover, augmented concentration of metals led by metal transfer from the nests sediments were detected in the eggshells after nesting (ENH) and in the newly hatched offspring (H). Probably this metal relocation to the newly hatchlings augmented the frequency of micronuclei in their blood, presenting 15.25‰ in hatchling found in Crixás-Açu River beaches and 10‰ in newly hatched animals from Araguaia River beaches. These results indicate the occurrence of maternal transfer of metals (essential or not) to the eggs in testudines as well as a transference from the sediments to the nesting eggs, triggering genotoxic effects on the hatchlings.

     

Interactive effects of metals in mixtures on bioaccumulation in the amphipod Hyalella azteca

Mixtures were produced of "equi-toxic" concentrations of 10 elements at the 4-week LC25 for Hyalella azteca. Bioaccumulation was determined in 1-week exposures. The first mixtures tested included seven elements; As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb and Tl. Copper, Mn and Zn were not included in the initial tests due to potential confounding effects, such as regulation of Cu and Zn by H. azteca and the high concentrations of Mn required to be "equi-toxic", which might cause adsorption of metals to Mn hydroxides if these were formed. The second set of tests included the seven element mixture in combination with, Cu, Mn and Zn individually, the binary pairs, Cu-Mn, Cu-Zn and Mn-Zn; and the tertiary group Cu, Mn and Zn. Interaction factors (IF) were computed which quantified each element's impact on the bioaccumulation of the other nine. Cobalt, Cd and Ni bioaccumulation was significantly inhibited with increasing number of metals in the mixture. Arsenic bioaccumulation was enhanced with increasing number of metals in the mixture exposure. Lead bioaccumulation was enhanced by some mixture combinations. Bioaccumulation of Cr, Cu, Mn, Tl and Zn were not significantly affected by exposure to other metals.     

Chemometrics based on the mineral content as a tool for the assessment of the pollution of top soils

This is the first research of this type which includes the wider area of Kosovo taking into account the mineral wealth. The concentrations of 20 elements: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Se, Si, V, and Zn were determined using ICP-OES. The ranges of concentrations of toxic elements are lead (Pb) 0.044–14.98?g/kg, arsenic (As) 0.007–0.33?g/kg, cadmium (Cd) 0.004–0.044?g/kg, and chromium (Cr) 0.053–0.245?g/kg. The spatial distribution of toxic elements was described using distribution maps. Principal component and cluster analyses were performed to reveal grouping of samples.     

The effect of age, sex, smoking habit and hair color on the composition of hair

Hair samples (N=83) were collected between the years 1996 and 2003 from inhabitants of Wroc?aw, a city located in Lower Silesia, south-western Poland (urbanized and industrialized region). The concentrations of 33 elements: Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cu, Zn, P, Fe, Mn, Cr, Se, B, Co, Mo, Si, V, Ni, Be, Hg, Cd, Al, Pb, As, Ba, Au, Pt, Ag, Sr, Sn, Ti, W, Sb and Zr in hair were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) techniques. The effect of age, sex, smoking habits and hair color on the elemental composition of hair was investigated. Also, the obtained results were compared with literature data. It was found that the composition of hair varied with age, sex, hair color and smoking habits. This concerned the majority of elements except Ti, Se, Mn, Ni, Hg, Cd, As, Co (in the case of effect of age), Al, Cd, Co (sex), Cd, K, Ag, Ca, Co, Be (smoking habit), P, Fe, Al, Mn and Cr (hair color). Therefore, reference values for the level of the remaining elements should be normalized according to age, sex, smoking habit and hair color. This would make hair analysis more reliable.