1.
Statistical Evaluation of Trace Metals, TSH and T4 in Blood Serum of Thyroid Disease Patients in Comparison with Controls.
Hanif, S, Ilyas, A, Shah, MH
Biological trace element research. 2018;(1):58-70
Abstract
The present study is based on the measurement of concentrations of selected trace metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cd and Pb) and thyroid hormones (TSH and T4) in blood serum of hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients in comparison with healthy donors/controls in order to establish the imbalances of the trace metals in diseased subjects. The serum samples were digested in HNO3-HClO4 mixture and quantification of the metals was performed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Average levels of Fe, Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb and TSH were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the serum of hypothyroid patients compared with other donor categories, while mean concentrations of Mn, Cd and T4 were significantly elevated in the serum of hyperthyroid patients compared with other donor groups (p < 0.05). The correlation pattern of trace metals in the serum of patient groups revealed significantly different mutual associations compared with the controls. PCA and CA pointed out the interferences of the toxic metals with essential metals in the serum of both patient groups compared with the controls. Most of the metals exhibited noticeable disparities in their concentrations based on gender, food habits and tobacco use for all donor groups. Thus, the pathogenesis of thyroid diseases is significantly affecting the essential trace and toxic metals balance in both patients groups.
2.
Metal ions released from fixed orthodontic appliance affect hair mineral content.
Mikulewicz, M, Wołowiec, P, Loster, B, Chojnacka, K
Biological trace element research. 2015;(1-2):11-8
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Abstract
The objective was to evaluate metal ion accumulation in hair of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances in time. The patients (N = 47) participated in a questionnaire survey. Hair sampling was performed at the beginning and in the 4th, 8th, and 12th month of the treatment. The content of metals (Cr, Ni, Fe) in hair was analyzed by ICP-OES equipped with USN nebulizer. The peak release of Cr and Fe occurred after 4 months of the treatment, and the peak release of Ni gradually increased throughout the whole year of the therapy. During 1 year treatment, an average accumulation of metals in hair tissue was 7.42 ± 14.19 μg of Ni, 8.94 ± 13.1 μg of Cr, and 131 ± 279 μg of Fe. The mean content of Cr was higher than the 90th percentile value for this element. The upper limit of literature reference ranges for Cr, Ni, and Fe in hair was not exceeded. The value of exposure (kinetics and dose) of orthodontic patients to metal ions released from orthodontic appliances can be assessed by hair mineral analysis. The content of Cr was statistically significantly higher during the treatment than before the beginning of therapy.
3.
[Biomarker indicators of chemoprevention among subjects occupationally exposed to metals].
Major, J, Jakab, M, Biró, A, Klupp, T, Magyar, B, Gál, K, Oláh, G, Fodor, Z, Tompa, A
Magyar onkologia. 2004;(2):125-9
Abstract
Chemoprevention with chelating agent Humetta for three months was performed, due to anaemia and other haematologic disorders, immunotoxicological alterations and/or increased chromosome aberration rate among galvanisers and goldsmiths occupationally exposed to precious and heavy metals. Twenty-two of altogether 47 subjects took part voluntarily in the chemoprevention, and the rest of the subjects served as untreated controls. Complex clinical laboratory testing including detailed anamneses; genotoxicological and immunotoxicological monitoring were performed before and after administration of chemopreventive agent. After chemoprevention a significant improvement was observed in anaemia and serum glucose levels, while a less marked improvement was found in serum cholesterol levels and liver functions. Altered chromosome aberration and apoptotic cell fraction also tended to normalise after treatment. Immunological parameters were not affected by the treatment. The obtained results may suggest that chemoprevention with chelating agents as Humetta can help in the prevention of harmful effects of occupational exposures to metals.
4.
Metal exposure among abrasive blasting workers at four U.S. Air Force facilities.
Aizenberg, V, England, E, Grinshpun, S, Willeke, K, Carlton, G
Applied occupational and environmental hygiene. 2000;(10):766-72
Abstract
Button Aerosol Samplers were used to monitor the personal exposure of workers performing abrasive blasting operations at four U.S. Air Force facilities. Inhalable aerosols containing 25 metals, including cadmium, lead, and chromium, were investigated. The Button Aerosol Sampler was chosen because of its ability to successfully withstand mechanical stress, prevent very large particles from collection, and protect the filter from overloading and shredding by rebound particles. In addition, previous studies have shown that the sampling efficiency of this personal Aerosol Sampler exhibits low sensitivity to the ambient air conditions and that it adequately follows the inhalability convention. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) was used to analyze the collected samples for all 25 metals. In addition, visual absorption spectrophotometry (VAS) was used to analyze for hexavalent chromium because of the presence of strontium chromate. The collected samples yielded 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations that were up to 250, 6, and 5 times higher than the permissible exposure limits (PELs) for cadmium, lead, and hexavalent chromium, respectively. Also, the chromium levels measured by the ICP and VAS exceeded the strontium chromate threshold limit value (TLV) by up to 640 and 950 times, respectively. No correlation was found between the ICP and VAS hexavalent chromium concentrations. The likely reasons of this were the presence of Cr (II) and (III) that cannot be detected by the VAS, and the chemical interference from iron and some other metals in the samples. The Button Aerosol Sampler was shown to be useful for the monitoring of workers' exposure to heavy metals during abrasive blasting operations.