The Effect of Various Metal Ions end Chelating Agents on the Formation of Noncovalently and Covalently Linked IgM Polymers

The influence of various concentrations of Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, EDTA, or 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid on the formation in vitro of polymeric IgM from reduced and dissociated IgM has been investigated. 4-200muM Zn, Cd, or Hg ions in the dialysis buffer used for reassociation resulted in the formation of a homogeneous polymer peak sedimenting as 19S IgM, whereas the other metal ions resulted in the formation of polymers sedimenting mostly as tetramers, pentamers (19S IgM), and hexamers. Dialysis in the presence of 1 and 3mM EDTA or 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid gave slight polymer formation; 10 mM of the agents gave none. Ca, Mg, Fe, Ni, Zn, Cd, or Hg ions regularly gave only noncovalently linked polymers, whereas Cu ions in particular, but also Co and, to a minor extent, Mn ions catalyzed the formation of covalently linked polymers. Experiments performed with Mg, Ca, Ni, and Zn ions or with Cu and Zn ions in the same buffer during reassociation showed that Zn ions inhibit the effect of the other ions on polymer assembly and covalent stabilization.     

Comparative study of the metal accumulation in Hysterothalycium reliquens (nematode) and Paraphilometroides nemipteri (nematode) as compared with their doubly infected host,Nemipterus peronii (Notched threadfin bream)

In February 2013, forty-seven Notched threadfin bream, the Nemipterus peronii, were sampled from the eastern coastal waters of the South China Sea. The concentration of various elements, namely cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), strontium (Sr), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), Lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn) were analyzed in the liver, muscle, and kidney organs of the host, as well as in their parasites Hysterothalycium reliquens (nematode) and the Paraphilometroides nemipteri (nematode), using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The former group of parasites showed highest accumulation capacity for Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, Ni, and Zn while the latter group had high accumulation potential of As, Hg, Cd, Al, Pb, and Sr. The divergence in heavy-metal accumulation profiles of both nematodes is linked with the specificity of microhabitats, cuticle morphology, and interspecific competition. The outcome of this study indicates that both parasite models can be used for biomonitoring of metal pollution in marine ecosystems.     

大连地区母血及脐血中21种微量元素浓度测定分析

目的调查铁、锌、铜等11种必需微量元素及铅、砷、镉等10种有毒微量元素在正常产妇静脉血及新生儿脐血间的分布规律及其相关性,为孕期合理保健提供科学依据。方法随机对150名健康住院分娩的产妇分别抽取外周静脉血和新生儿脐静脉血,微波消解法制备供试品,电感耦合等离子体-质谱（ICP-MS）法进行全血21种微量元素水平的测定。结果大连地区孕妇全血中微量元素铁、钴、硒、铬、钼、砷、镉、铊和钒的浓度在正常成人参考值范围,锌、钙、铜、铅、银和钡的浓度明显低于参考值,而镁、锰和镍的浓度则高于该范围。与母血中各种微量元素浓度相比,脐血中的锌、钴、铜、锰、镍、铅、砷和镉的浓度均显著性降低（P〈0.01）,而铁的浓度则显著高于母血（P〈0.01）。直线相关分析结果表明,母血与脐血之间钙、镁、钴、铅、砷、铍、银、钡和钍的浓度呈显著正相关（P〈0.05）。结论微量元素在孕妇体内的浓度有别于正常成人的水平,新生儿体内微量元素的浓度与母亲体内微量元素的水平高低密切相关,孕期对上述多种重要的必需微量元素和有毒微量元素的水平进行监测和及时采取科学、有效的应对措施是优生的重要内容。     

Protections by non-copper metal ions against copper-mediated inactivation of poliovirion RNA occurring at extraction of virions with phenol

Al3+, Ca2+, Co2+, Cu1+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Sn4+, and Zn2+ were incubated individually with redistilled reagent-grade phenol containing impurities known from previous work to interact with Cu2+ to produce a potent inactivator(s) of the transfectivity of naked poliovirion RNA. Only the mixture with Cu1+ inactivated the RNA. Tests of each of the 11 non-copper test metal ions mixed with Cu2+ before adding the phenol showed that Ca2+ and Mg2+ do not protect, Co2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ provide moderate protection, and Al3+, Fe2+, Fe3+, and Sn4+ give strong protection against the Cu2+-mediated inactivation. Other points of addition of protective metal ion were tested using Fe3+. Strong protection was afforded even when Fe3+ was added after synthesis of the inactivator(s) from Cu2+ and the active impurities. The relation between Cu2+ and the Fe3+ was shown to be competitive. The hypothesis that ions compete for semi-quinone anion is proposed.     

Relationship between magnesium, carcinogenic metals and ionic permeability of the human amnion

The effects of the well established carcinogenic metals or metalloids (As, Be, Cr, Ni), hypothetically carcinogenic but well-established cocarcinogenic metals (Cd, Pb, Co) and weak co-carcinogenic metals (Al, Cu, Fe, Zn) and the antagonism between Mg and these metals were studied on the ionic transfer through the isolated human amnion. The ionic transfer is estimated by the measure of the membrane potential (delta psi), the cationic number transference t+ and the ionic fluxes (F1, F2). All carcinogenic metals increase delta psi (+) and reduce t+, F1 and F2. Mg has an opposite action with regard to Cd, Pb and Ni, but may act as a co-carcinogenic agent by increasing the effects of Al, Cu and Zn.     

朝、汉族牙釉质微量元素测定及其意义

目的：研究延边地区朝鲜族和汉族牙釉质微量元素方面的分布特点。方法：采用电感藕合等离子体源发射光谱法(ICP—AES)测定和比较双方的牙釉质中21种微量元素。结果：两者在Sr、Cu、Be、Co、Mn、V、Ba和Mg微量元素方面存在高度显著性差异(P＜0．01)，在Fe、Ti和Cr方面的差异也十分明显(P＜0．05)，而在P、Cd、Ni、Zn、La、Mo、Ca、Pb和Al方面几乎相同(P＞0．05)。结论：通过牙釉质的对比测定，延边地区朝鲜和汉族在11种微量元素方面存在显著差异，上述资料可为今后口腔临床治疗和预防提供科学依据。     

白发与黑发的微量元素分析

本文应用EPM-810Q电子探针,对53例35～60岁健康成年人白发与黑发(指长在同一部位、相邻单根白发与黑发),进行微量元素分析,结果表明:白发中Mg、Al、Cd、Ca、Cr、Mn、Fe、Se微量元素含量明显小于黑发,而Cu、Zn、Pb元素含量大于黑发。以上差异有显著性意义(P<0.001),并对上述差异进行了讨论。     

珠江广州河段底泥中重金属污染状况分析

目的分析珠江广州河段底泥重金属的污染状况,为进一步治理珠江水体污染提供参考依据。方法抽取珠江广州河段前航道、后航道和西航道底泥24宗,检测和分析其中重金属（镉、总铬、铅、铜、锌、镍、砷、汞）的含量。结果以《土壤环境质量标准》（GB1618—1995）的二级标准评价,除砷和铅外,其他受测重金属的超标率均超过60％,镉和镍更是达到了100％,超标率从大到小分别为：镉、镍〉锌〉总铬〉汞〉铜〉砷〉铅。结论珠江广州河段底泥重金属污染严重,对珠江水体的质量构成威胁。     

Analysis by pattern recognition techniques of changes in serum levels of 14 trace metals after acute myocardial infarction.

Serial changes in the concentrations of 14 trace metals (Cu, Fe, Al, Ni, Sr, Ba, Mn, Cs, Sn, Cr, Zn, Pb, Mo, and Cd) in blood serum of patients who had sustained an acute myocardial infarction and in patients who had sustained other cardiac trauma were determined by emission spectrometry. Comparable data for both patient groups were obtained for the serum enzymes, creatine phosphokinase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated that changes in serum levels of copper, iron, aluminum, and nickel during the first 7 days following an acute myocardial infarction might be useful in the classification of patients. Using such a trace-metal profile, the discriminant analysis technique of pattern recognition provided almost complete (91%) success in distinguishing the two patient groups. Complete discrimination was achieved when the covariates age, race, and sex were included pairwise with the four trace metals, Cu, Fe, Al, and Ni. The studies suggest that trace metals may play an important role in cardiovascular metabolism and the chemical pathology of myocardial infarction.     

Electron microscopy microanalysis and quantitative detection of trace elements in carcinoma of the colon]

The spectrum of trace elements was determined in 19 cases of colon carcinoma with analytical electron microscope. Besides, the quantities of trace elements in the cancerous tissue and the mucosa beyond the site of cancer were measured in 31 cases by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A reprocessing technique was applied to convert the paraffin sections directly to resin sections in order to recover the assessment of elements in these tissues. Fe, Al and macro elements Ca, S were recovered in 100% of the cases in both the cancer tissue and the mucosa taken beyond the site of cancer. The recovery rates of Ni and macro elements including K, Mg, P, Cl were 50%. The recovery rates of Si in poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma were higher than that in the mucosa far from the cancer site. The levels of Cu, Zn and Ni in the cancerous tissue were lower than those detected in the mucosa (P < 0.01). No significant difference was noticed between the cancerous tissue and the mucosa beyond the site of cancer on Fe, Mn, Pb, Co and Cr contents.     

糖尿病大鼠膈肌微量元素与氧化应激变化的研究

目的:了解糖尿病膈肌微量元素与氧化应激的关系。方法:采用原子吸收光谱法,测定糖尿病28 d大鼠膈肌组织中铜(Cu)、锰(Mn)锌(Zn)、铁(Fe)、镉(Cd)、铬(Cr)、钴(Co)、钼(Mo)和锂(Li)的含量,并同时测定超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果:糖尿病膈肌Cu、Zn、Cr、Li含量明显低于对照组,Fe和Cd明显高于对照组,而Mn、Co、Mo与对照组无明显差别。糖尿病膈肌组织SOD活性明显低于对照组,MDA含量明显高于对照组。糖尿病膈肌组织Zn含量与其SOD活性呈正相关,与MDA含量呈负相关,Cd含量与SOD活性呈负相关。结论:糖尿病28d膈肌组织存在Cu、Zn、Fe、Cd、Cr、Li含量的变化及氧化应激增加,Zn和Cd在糖尿病膈肌组织氧化应激变化中具有重要意义。     

用中子活化法对常人与慢性牙周炎患者牙周组织中微量元素分布的研究

中子活化分析是对微量元素进行检测一种比较好的方法,目前国内尚未见其应用与牙周病组织的检测及研究.作者首次应用该种方法在大型及微型核反应堆中对正常人及慢性牙周炎患者牙周组织中的微量元素进行了多元素的测定及分析,初步研究结果提示:人牙周组织内含有AI, Cu,Co、Ca、Fe、Zn,Mg.Na等20种元素,而慢性牙周炎患者牙周组织中Al,Cu,Cr,Zn,Mg,Na等元素均显示高于正常人的趋向,尤以Cu,Cr,Mg三种微量元素明显高于正常人的含量均值,且有显著性差异.病变组织中有些相关元素含量比值出现失平衡,且Fe/Cu,K/Na比值于正常人统计学处理有显著性差异.故提示牙周病的发生与组织中微量元素的改变有一定的关系.     

Metal-catalyzed peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids

In this study malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured as the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) adduct by high performance liquid chromatography with linolenic acid (LA), as well as with LA to which the following metal ions were added: Ag+1, Al+3, As+5, Ba+2, Cd+2, Co+2, Cu+1, Cu+2, Fe+2, Fe+3, Hg+2, Mn+2, Ni+2, Pb+2, and Zn+2. Our results showed that Fe+3 is a particularly potent catalyst of this oxidation reaction. Several other metals also significantly increased the production of MDA over LA alone, as shown by the Mann-Whitney test, including Al+3 and Fe+2 (p less than 0.001), Cu+2, Ba+2, Mn+2 (p less than 0.01), and As+5 (p less than 0.05). Pb+2 almost completely inhibited the production of MDA from LA (p less than 0.001). Addition of the free radical scavenger, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), significantly inhibited MDA formation in these latter reactions, indicating they are free-radical mediated. Pre-incubation of the reaction mixtures at 37 degrees C and physiologic pH with both Fe+2 and Fe+3 greatly increased MDA formation, suggesting that in acute metal toxicity the initiating free-radical process might be primarily due to direct metal catalysis of preformed lipid peroxides.     

Concentration- and composition-dependent effects of metal ions on human MG-63 osteoblasts

Metal debris from implants has been shown to alter the function of osteoblasts in cell cultures. Its remains unclear, however, if specific forms of released ionic metals are involved in the pathogenesis of periprosthetic osteolysis. We evaluated the relative effects of ionic forms of implant metals by treating human osteoblast-like MG-63 osteosarcoma cells with eight concentrations (0.001-10.0 mM) of Cr(+3), Mo(+5), Al(+3), Ta(+5), Co(+2), Ni(+2), Fe(+3), Cu(+2), Mn(+2), Mg(+2), Na(+2), and V(+3) chloride solutions. The results demonstrated that the metal ions differentially affected osteoblast proliferation, viability, type-I collagen gene expression, and cytokine release. The metal ions were ranked in order from least to most toxic (based on a 50% reduction in viability) as follows: Na < Cr < Mg < Mo < Al < Ta < Co < Ni < Fe < Cu < Mn < V. Metal-induced decreases in osteoblast proliferation were similar in ranking. Nontoxic concentrations of metals had no effect on procollagen alpha1[I] gene expression; only at toxic concentrations did metals produce a decrease in gene expression. The most toxic metals (V, Mn, Fe, and Ni) were also the only metals found to induce IL-6 secretion on a per cell basis (of the cytokines tested, interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin beta 1 (IL-1beta), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), only IL-6 was detectable in the culture medium after 48 h for any metal at any concentration). Less toxic metals (e.g., Co and Cr) had little effect on IL-6 release, even at high concentrations. In general, metal ions reduced osteoblast function (i.e., proliferation and collagen gene expression) in proportion to the degree of toxicity. These results support the hypothesis that adverse local cellular responses (particularly necrotic responses) associated with metal debris from implanted metallic devices may be due in part to metal ions released from implants or from particulate debris.     

Comparative study on the accumulation of heavy metals in different organs of tench (Tinca tinca L. 1758) and plerocercoids of its endoparasite Ligula intestinalis

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Pb and Cd) in some organs of tench and tissues of its parasite found in Kovada Lake (Turkey) were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and subsequently compared with the data from sediments and water. Only Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn were detected in water, sediment, plerocercoids of Ligula intestinalis and fish samples, while levels of Cr, Pb and Cd were below the detection limits. Four elements were found at higher concentrations in the plerocercoid than in different fish tissues (muscle, liver and gill), being 1.6–37.4 times higher than that measured in muscle, liver and gill. Significant positive (for Cu) and negative (for Fe, Zn and Mn) correlations were found between the quantity of heavy metals in water and tissues of L. intestinalis plerocercoids while there were significant positive (for Cu and Zn) and negative (for Fe and Mn) correlations between the quantity of heavy metals in bottom sediment and tissues of L. intestinalis plerocercoids. Cestodes were found suitable to reflect the amount heavy metals in sediments, providing more reliable information about the actual pollution of the reservoirs.     

Age-related differences in hair trace elements: a cross-sectional study in Orenburg,Russia

Abstract

Background: Age-related differences in the trace element content of hair have been reported. However, some discrepancies in the data exist.

Aim: The primary objective of this study was to estimate the change in hair trace elements content in relation to age.

Subjects and methods: Six hundred and eighteen women and 438 men aged from 10–59 years took part in the current cross-sectional study.

Results and conclusions: Hair Cr, Mn, Ni, Si, Al, As, Be, Cd and Pb tended to decrease with age in the female sample, whereas hair Cu, Fe, I, Se, Li and Sn were characterised by an age-associated increase. Hair levels of Cr, Cu, I, Mn, Ni, Si and Al in men decreased with age, whereas hair Co, Fe, Se, Cd, Li and Pb content tended to increase. Hair mercury increased in association with age in men and in women, whereas hair vanadium was characterised by a significant decrease in both sexes. The difference in hair trace element content between men and women decreased with age. These data suggest that age-related differences in trace element status may have a direct implication in the ageing process.     

Determination of certain selected bulk and trace elements in the bovine liver matrix using neutron activation analysis

Effective utilisation of neutron activation analysis (NAA) for the elemental analysis of biomedical samples with or without a radiochemical separation, especially when optimal Ge(Li) well type detectors are employed for the acquisition of complex spectra, is demonstrated by determining normal values for 25 elements in bovine liver. Optimal conditions for the determination of Ag, Br, Cl, Co, Cs, Fe, I, K, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se and Zn with the aid of instrumental thermal neutron activation analysis (INAA) by varying the irradiation and decay time are presented. Where INAA was inadequate, simple post irradiation separation based on ion-exchange has been used to determine such elements as Au, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cr, Cu, La, Mo and W. Results from the IAEA intercomparison run for animal muscle (H-4) are also given. The influence of sample size with respect to within-tissue variation of the bulk and trace elements in liver and the contamination of liver samples from the interfering components such as residual blood are also discussed.     

Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) for the evaluation of metallosis in prostheses and artificial organs: a new approach.

To study the presence of metals in body fluids and tissues after implantation of metallic biomaterials and possible related diseases, a new approach in Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) was developed. This technique was compared to three traditional methods: mineralisation with acid digestion (method A) also known as "wet method", dry ashing (with or without oxygen) (method B); classic Kjeldaal (method C). The new approach (method D) modifies the mineralisation phase and the instrument operating instructions. Al, Na, Cr, K, Ni, Co, Ti, Fe, Hg, Pb, V, Sb and Cu levels were tested with the four methods on bone, muscle, cartilage, skin, brain, lymph nodes, blood, urine, and hair. Test results were checked by the addition method. Results demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of Al, Cr, Ni, Ti and Hg recovery with the new approach. The advantages of method D are no residue, no redox reaction, insignificant loss of analytes and enhanced sensitivity (at ppb level vs ppm of the other methods). This approach should be considered especially when testing heavy metals and complex matrices. Its disadvantages are that it is more time consuming and requires the presence of an operator.     

Heavy metals and lipofuscinogenesis. A study on myocardial cells cultured under varying oxidative stress.

The aim of this study was to examine the influence on lipofuscinogenesis of a number of transition and non-transition heavy metals in cultured post-mitotic cells (neonatal rat myocytes) at varying oxidative stress. The effects of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn, added to the medium as chlorides, were examined after 14 days in culture under 5, 20 and 40% ambient oxygen. Lipofuscin was quantified by microspectrofluorometry of individual cells. The addition of Al (40 microM), Cd (40 nM), Hg (30 microM) and Pb (40 microM) to the culture growth medium markedly increased the amount of intracellular lipofuscin, whereas Cr (40 microM), Cu (40 microM) and Zn (40 microM) had the opposite effect. Transmission electron microscopic examination of the myocytes showed greatly increased numbers of autophagic vacuoles in cells exposed to those heavy metals that increased lipofuscin formation. This effect was most pronounced when cells were grown at high (40%) oxygen tension. Possible explanations for the metal augmented pigment formation may be (i) inhibition of lysosomal enzymes, (ii) catalytic interference with peroxidative reactions, or (iii) general toxicity with unspecifically increased autophagocytosis. The decreased pigment accumulation after the addition of Zn, Cr and Cu may, at least partly, be related to the replacement of iron, which has catalytic activity in Fenton reactions.     

Assessment of occupational exposure to welding fumes by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy and by the alkaline Comet assay

Welding fumes are classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In the current study, blood and urine concentrations of aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were monitored by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in 30 welders and in 22 controls. In addition, DNA damage was examined in the lymphocytes of these subjects by the alkaline Comet assay. Two biological samples were taken from the welders at the beginning (BW) and at the end (EW) of a work week. In controls, collection of samples was limited to BW. Blood concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb were higher in the welders than in the control group while higher concentrations of Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb were detected in welder urines. There was no significant difference in the metal concentrations for the BW and EW welder samples. Increased levels of DNA damage were found in lymphocytes from welders as compared to the controls, and 20/30 welders had higher levels of DNA lesions in the EW than in the BW samples. Age had a significant effect on DNA damage in the control group. Spearman's rank correlation analysis indicated that there were positive correlations between blood concentrations of Al, Co, Ni, and Pb and the levels of DNA damage. A negative correlation was found between DNA damage and Mn in blood, while there was a positive correlation between urinary Mn concentration and DNA damage. These data indicate that occupational exposure to welding fumes increases DNA damage in lymphocytes.