Trace Elements in Health and Diseases

Remarkable progress has occurred in many branches of biology and health sciences during the last few decades. Trace element (TE) research has definitely shared in this explosion of scientific knowledge. Due to the improvements in analytical technology, the discovery of TEs in organism was realized. The developments of TE research have been promoted by the demand of public health (e.g. deficiency or toxicity). The profound knowledge of nutritional importance of TEs has been achieved with application of advanced methods in biological, medical and chemical fields, etc. In this paper, a new definition of essentiality of TEs is introduced. According to this definition, onIy ten TEs (Fe, Zn, F, Cu, I, Se, Mn, Mo, Cr, Co) are considered to be essential to humans. The others need more evidence to prove their essentiality in humans. The recent progress on the biochemical and immunological functions of TEs and on the roles of TEs in brain development are briefly described. The TEs, mainly Se, I, Zn, Fe, are more closely related to public health. Also, emphases are laid on balancing all nutrients when new knowledge of essential TEs is applied in public health

Relationship between Serum Levels of Some Trace Elements, Disease Duration and Severity in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Background: Many trace elements in the biological system, including boron, are involved in various vital processes related to health and diseases. Boron has been proved to have a role in decreasing inflammatory pain, joint stiffness and other disabling symptoms associated with osteoarthritis (OA). Aims and Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between serum concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn) and magnesium (Mg) with disease duration and severity in patients with knee OA. Methods: A total of 43 patients with knee OA were clinically evaluated and serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, Se, Mn and Mg were measured, and the results were compared with those of healthy controls. Trace elements levels were correlated with disease duration and severity. Results: Serum Cu and the value of Cu/Zn were significantly elevated in OA patients and positively correlated with disease duration and severity. Serum Zn, Se and Mn were significantly lower in patients compared with controls;Zn and Se were found to be negatively and significantly correlated with disease duration and severity. Conclusion: Patients with knee OA had higher levels of Cu and larger value of Cu/Zn and lower levels of serum Zn and Se;these changes were potentially correlated with the duration and severity of disease.

The influence of intestine-based treatment using Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Tang on the concentration of trace elements in the main organs of COPD rats

Objective:To test two theories from traditional Chinese medicine:'exterior -interior relationship between the lung and large intestine' and 'treating from the intestine principle for lung disorders'.The influence of intestine-based treatment using Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Tang (XBCQT) on the concentration of three trace elements-copper (Cu),zinc (Zn),and manganese (Mn)-was observed in the tissues of the lung,small intestine,large intestine,and stomach of rats suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided randomly and equally into five groups:control;model;Fei treatment (A);Chang treatment (B);and Fei-Chang treatment (C).A rat model of COPD was prepared by tracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide plus exposure to cigarette smoke.Treatments with medicinal herbs started day-22 of administration and exposure to cigarette smoke for 7 days.The control group and model group were administered physiologic (0.9%) saline solution via the stomach.After 7 days of intervention,the tissues of the lung,small intestine,large intestine,and stomach were removed.Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy was used to detect the levels of Cu,Zn,and Mn in those tissues.Results:Compared with the control group,the Cu concentration in the tissues of the small intestine,large intestine,and stomach increased significantly in the model group (P <.05);the Mn concentration in the tissues of the lung,large intestine,and stomach increased significantly in the model group (P <.05);the Zn concentration in the tissues of the lung and large intestine decreased significantly in the model group (P <.05).In comparison of the model group:the Cu concentration in the tissues of the lung and large intestine decreased significantly in the B group (P <.05);the Mn concentration in the tissues of the lung,small intestine,and large intestine decreased significantly in the B group (P <.05);the Zn concentration in the tissues of the lung,small intestine,and large intestine increased significantly in the B group (P <.05).For the A group versus C group comparison,the Zn concentration in the tissues of the small intestine and stomach increased significantly in the latter (P <.05).Conclusion:This study showed that 'treating from the intestine' using Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Tang and its modified formulae can regulate the concentration of trace elements in the main organs of COPD rats.This may be one of the mechanisms for intestine-based treatment for COPD.

Selected Trace Elements in Domestic Water Boreholes and Their Implications on Human Health, in Huruma Estate, Eldoret Municipality, Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya

Trace elements constitute less than 1% of the rocks in the crust (Stumm and Morgan, 1991). In the human body, they constitute less than 100 mg/kg (0.01%). These elements are released to the environment naturally by weathering and volcanic activities (Flint and skinner, 1997). It has been observed that trace elements are greatly absorbed and retained in the body when in liquid diet. This phenomenon also influences the risk to human health, especially of infants and children whose immature digestive system further promote absorption of toxic heavy metals. The study was based on the analysis of domestic borehole water supplies in Huruma estate of Eldoret Municipality for selected trace elements and their implications on human health. The boreholes were systematically selected for sampling points and trace elements, Cr, Cu and Se analyzed using AAS. Statistical analysis for mean, standard deviation and confidence interval limits was done using SPSS. The statistical t-test was used to test for significance differences at (p = 0.05). The graphs were drawn using the Microsoft Excel package. The resulting data obtained from analysis were compared with WHO data for drinking water. In the study, the mean values of the following parameters were as follows: Chromium 17.9 μg/L, Copper 563 μg/L and Selenium 22.7 μg/L. There was a significant difference at 5% level of significance (p = 0.000) in all the parameter values among the sampling points in Huruma estate. The above mean values were far below the WHO recommended limits for drinking water. It was concluded that the borehole water from Huruma was fit for drinking and therefore could not cause cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, borehole water should be used if other water sources (tap water etc.) were not available. All the industries near Huruma estate should carefully analyze and regularly monitor their liquid waste effluents to ensure that no harmful discharges get into the soil.

Elemental Concentrations in Biological Samples of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and Other Pulmonary Disease Patients

Background: Recently, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been affected by the extreme acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has developed important global health anxiety. At this time, the treatment options for this disease are only moderately successful. Smoking has been related to COVID-19 and its mortality, and it has the potential to affect bacteriological and viral conversion, clinical effects, and treatment outcomes. Methods: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between critical essential trace {zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu)} and toxic {cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni)} elements in human biological samples such as scalp hair, serum, saliva, blood, nasal fluid, and sputum of smoking and nonsmoking male COVID-19 patients (n = 139, age range 25 - 38 years) from Hyderabad, Pakistan. For comparative purposes, the biological specimens of referent persons (n = 83), pulmonary Tuberculosis (T.B) patients (n = 67), Pneumonia (n = 56) of the same age groups were also be analyzed. Microwave oven mediated digestion method was employed, and digestion of samples was carried out with the help of 2:1 mixture solution of HNO3 (65%) and H2O2 (30%). Atomic absorption spectrometry was employed for the determination of elemental concentrations from the microwave oven employed digested samples. Results: The found average of essential elements (Zn, Fe, and Cu) in biological specimens of smoker and nonsmoker male COVID-19, T.B, and Pneumonia patients was found to lower, whilst cadmium and nickel were found to be higher when compared with samples from referents (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Improved elemental (Cu, Fe, Zn) concentrations may also decrease the risk of bacterial co-infection by enhancing the mucociliary clearance and respiratory epithelial barrier function, in addition to providing direct antibacterial effects against S. pneumoniae. Our findings also suggest that higher Cd and Ni concentrations are linked to cigarette smoking, which could lead to COVID-19 and other lung-infected diseased recurrences. However, further clinical and experimental research is required.

血液透析患者中必需微量元素的益处和风险

肾脏是人体微量元素代谢的重要器官,对于终末期肾病(end-stage renal disease,ESRD)患者,因为食物摄入的减少、肠道吸收功能的改变、肾脏排泄功能的下降以及肾衰竭所致体内代谢的改变,会导致体内全血、血清或血浆微量元素发生改变。同时,由于透析清除和透析液水质量存在差异,对于接受血液透析(hemodialysis,HD)治疗的患者,在之前的基础上,体内微量元素更容易出现缺乏和过量的风险,并与HD患者的多种并发症以及住院、死亡风险相关。因此,对HD患者微量元素的研究具有重要的临床意义。

乳糜泻与微量元素相关性研究进展

乳糜泻是一种由遗传易感个体摄入麸质引起的自身免疫病,主要累及小肠,引起小肠绒毛萎缩。许多乳糜泻患者因肠道炎症出现各种营养素吸收障碍,导致体内营养失衡,包括各种微量元素失衡。虽然微量元素在人体中含量很少,但因其特殊生理功能,对人体健康具有重要作用。部分乳糜泻相关并发症与不同微量元素失衡有关。此外,研究发现多种微量元素在乳糜泻发生、发展中发挥作用。本文就乳糜泻患者中一些重要微量元素水平,以及近年各种微量元素在乳糜泻发病机制、病情评估和治疗中作用的研究进展作一综述。

Back propagation artificial neural network for community Alzheimer's disease screening in China

AIzheimer＇s disease patients diagnosed with the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders diagnostic criteria were selected from the community through on-site sampling. Levels of macro and trace elements were measured in blood samples using an atomic absorption method, and neurotransmitters were measured using a radioimmunoassay method. SPSS 13.0 was used to establish a database, and a back propagation artificial neural network for Alzheimer＇s disease prediction was simulated using Clementine 12.0 software. With scores of activities of daily living, creatinine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, age, dopamine and aluminum as input variables, the results revealed that the area under the curve in our back propagation artificial neural network was 0.929 （95% confidence interval： 0.868-0.968）, sensitivity was 90.00%, specificity was 95.00%, and accuracy was 92.50%. The findings indicated that the results of back propagation artificial neural network established based on the above six variables were satisfactory for screening and diagnosis of Alzheimer＇s disease in patients selected from the community.

Current understanding of the metabolism of micronutrients in chronic alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver disease(ALD)remains an important health problem worldwide.Perturbation of micronutrients has been broadly reported to be a common characteristic in patients with ALD,given the fact that micronutrients often act as composition or coenzymes of many biochemical enzymes responsible for the inflammatory response,oxidative stress,and cell proliferation.Mapping the metabolic pattern and the function of these micronutrients is a prerequisite before targeted intervention can be delivered in clinical practice.Recent years have registered a significant improvement in our understanding of the role of micronutrients on the pathogenesis and progression of ALD.However,how and to what extent these micronutrients are involved in the pathophysiology of ALD remains largely unknown.In the current study,we provide a review of recent studies that investigated the imbalance of micronutrients in patients with ALD with a focus on zinc,iron,copper,magnesium,selenium,vitamin D and vitamin E,and determine how disturbances in micronutrients relates to the pathophysiology of ALD.Overall,zinc,selenium,vitamin D,and vitamin E uniformly exhibited a deficiency,and iron demonstrated an elevated trend.While for copper,both an elevation and deficiency were observed from existing literature.More importantly,we also highlight several challenges in terms of low sample size,study design discrepancies,sample heterogeneity across studies,and the use of machine learning approaches.

Effects of Copper-based Nutritional Foliar Fertilizers on Photosynthetic Characteristics,Yield and Disease Control Efficiency of Cotton

[Objectives] The effects of copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizer on photosynthetic characteristics,yield,accumulation and distribution of trace elements in various organs,disease prevention effect and soil enzyme activity were studied,so as to provide a theoretical basis for the application of foliar fertilizers in cotton production. [Methods]Through two years of field experiments,six treatments were set in total,namely spraying water( CK),traditional Bordeaux mixture( BDM),Kocide 2000( KCD),copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizer( CF),iron-copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizer( CFFe),and zinc-boron-copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizer( CFZnB). Randomized block arrangement was adopted. Chlorophyll content in leaves was measured at each growth stage of the cotton. Photosynthetic characteristics of leaves were measured at the peak bolling stage. Plants were sampled at initial boll opening stage. The whole plant was divided into root,stem,leaf and cotton boll parts,in which the total copper,total zinc,total iron contents and accumulations were determined. Soil samples were collected from each plot,followed by the determination of soil enzyme activity. Disease index was investigated at bud,flowering and boll-forming and boll opening stage. [Results]( 1) Spraying CFFe,CFZnB,CF and KCD could significantly improve chlorophyll content of cotton leaves,and the CFFe treatment had the highest increase up to13. 30%,followed by the CFZnB treatment,which was 11. 40% higher than the CK; and photosynthetic rate,stomata conductance and transpiration rate could be improved significantly,and the CFFe treatment showed the highest photosynthetic rate,which increased by 26. 35% compared with the CK,followed by the CFZnB treatment,which increased by 17. 96% compared with CK; and intercellular CO2 concentration was significantly reduced.( 2) Spraying BDM,KCD,CF,CFFe and CFZnB can significantly increase total copper content and accumulation in various cotton organs( except the total copper content in the stem part of the CFZnB treatment; the CFZnB and CFFe treatments can significantly increase total zinc content and accumulation in various cotton organs; and spraying CFFe,CFZnB and CF can significantly increase total iron content and accumulation in various cotton organs( except the total iron content in the stem part of the CF treatment).( 3)Spraying CFFe,CFZnB,CF,KCD and BDM greatly reduced the disease index at flowering and boll-forming and boll opening stages.( 4) The CFZnB and CFFe treatments had the highest soil urease activity,which was 7. 14% higher than that of the CK,but the difference from the CK was not significant; the catalase activity of each treatment was significantly higher than that of the BDM treatment; and the sucrase activity of each treatment was significantly higher than that of the CK.( 5) Spraying CFFe,CFZnB,CF and KCD significantly improved lint yield of cotton,and the CFZnB treatment showed the highest yield increase up to 12. 34%,followed by the CFFe treatment,with an increase in the range of 8. 77%-10. 20%. [Conclusions]Copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizers have dual functions of disease control and prevention and plant nutrition and health care,and not only can significantly increase cotton yield,but also has certain disease prevention effect.It is recommended to use copper-based nutrient foliar fertilizers.

Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence analysis of Fe, Zn and Cu in mice brain associated with Parkinson's disease

The contents and distributions of metal elements in the brain are closely related to neurodegenerative diseases.In this study, we examined Fe, Cu and Zn contents in the brain section associated with Parkinson‘s disease(PD)using synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence(SRXRF). PD mouse model induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-terahydropyridine(MPTP) was used for the elemental analysis(e.g., Fe, Cu and Zn) in the substantia nigra pars compacta(SNpc) region of mice brain tissue samples. We found that mice in the MPTP group had higher contents of Fe, Cu and Zn in the SNpc than the control group. After treating the PD mice with rapamycin, the contents of Fe, Cu and Zn were reduced, the dopamine neurons and motor function were rescued correspondingly. The results prompted that the SRXRF provided an ideal method for tracing and analyzing the metal elements in the brain section to assess the pathological changes of PD model and the therapeutic effect of drugs.

血清微量元素与哮喘-慢性阻塞性肺疾病重叠综合征患者病情严重程度的关系

目的 探讨哮喘-慢性阻塞性肺疾病重叠综合征(ACO)患者血清微量元素与病情严重程度的关系。方法 选择2019年2月至2020年10月新疆医科大学第一附属医院收治的42例ACO患者为研究对象,根据第1秒用力呼气量(FEV1)将患者分为轻中度组(n=17)和重度/极重度组(n=25)。检测患者肺功能指标及呼出气一氧化氮(FeNO)。采用串联质谱法测定患者血清镁、锰、铅、锌、铁、铜等微量元素水平。利用流式细胞仪检测外周血T淋巴细胞亚群。根据慢性阻塞性肺疾病评估测试(CAT)、咳嗽临床症状评分(CCSS)和改良的医学研究理事会呼吸困难量表(mMRC)3份问卷对患者健康状况进行评估。结果 重度/极重度组患者血清镁、FeNO、CD8+低于轻中度组(P<0.05)。重度/极重度组患者CD4+/CD8+、CAT、mMRC(P<0.05)。血清镁分别与FEV1%、FVC、FEV1/FVC、FeNO、CD8+呈正相关,与CD4+/CD8+、CAT、mMRC呈负相关(P<0.05)。与高FeNO患者相比,低FeNO患者血清镁浓度显著降低(P<0.05)。结论 ACO患者血清镁与肺功能、FeNO、T淋巴细胞亚群、健康状况有关,可能成为反映ACO病情严重程度的指标。

全血微量元素和血清维生素检测在6种儿童常见皮肤病中的临床意义

目的探讨全血微量元素和血清维生素水平在6种儿童常见皮肤病中的临床意义。方法选取2018年1月—2021年12月复旦大学附属儿科医院皮肤病患儿301例(皮肤病组),根据皮肤病种类细分为斑秃组(50例)、特应性皮炎组(51例)、甲疾患组(50例)、剥脱性角质松懈症组(50例)、白色糠疹组(50例)和白斑病组(50例),以健康儿童52名作为正常对照组。检测所有研究对象全血铜、锌、铁水平和血清维生素A(Vit A)、维生素B1(Vit B1)、维生素B2(Vit B2)、维生素B6(Vit B6)、维生素C(Vit C)、25羟基维生素D3[25(OH)D3]水平。结果与正常对照组比较,皮肤病组全血锌、铁水平和血清Vit A、Vit B1、Vit B2、Vit B6、Vit C、25(OH)D3水平均降低(P<0.05),全血铜水平2个组之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);斑秃组全血锌、铁水平和血清Vit A、Vit B2、Vit B6、25(OH)D3水平均降低(P<0.05),特应性皮炎组全血锌水平和血清Vit B2、Vit B6、Vit C和25(OH)D3水平均降低(P<0.05),甲疾患组全血锌水平和血清Vit A、Vit B1、Vit B2、Vit B6、25(OH)D3水平均降低(P<0.05),剥落性角质松懈症组全血锌水平和血清Vit B2、Vit B6、25(OH)D3水平均降低(P<0.05),白色糠疹组全血锌、铁水平和血清Vit B1、Vit B2、Vit B6、Vit C、25(OH)D3水平均降低(P<0.05),白斑病组全血锌、铁水平和血清Vit B1、Vit B2、25(OH)D3水平均降低(P<0.05)。结论儿童斑秃、特应性皮炎、甲疾患、剥脱性角质松懈症、白色糠疹和白斑病可能与微量元素锌、铁和VitA、Vit B1、Vit B2、Vit B6、Vit C、25(OH)D3缺乏有关。

微量元素与冠心病关系初探

目的 探讨微量元素与冠心病的关系。方法 采用 1∶1配对病例对照研究方法 ,对 186对冠心病和对照者 ,应用光谱色仪扫描法测定了血清 17种微量元素含量并进行了相应统计分析。结果 冠心病患者微量元素Fe、Cd、Pb、Ni、Ag含量升高 ,Cu、Cr、Si、Sc、Sr、Mo降低 ;其中Fe、Cd、Pb和Cu、Cr、Si的变化更为显著 ;高含量Fe、Cd是冠心病的重要危险因素 ,而Cu、Cr为保护性因素。元素原子量、原子序数增大且不稳定性增强时 ,易产生有害作用。Fe、Cd、Cu、Cr是冠心病比较理想的辨别指标。结论 血清微量元素与冠心病存在密切关系 ;Fe、Cd、Cu、Cr等是冠心病的重要影响因素 ;微量元素在冠心病的预防、诊断、治疗中可以发挥重要作用。

电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定慢性肾炎患者血清中的微量元素

目的:微量元素与人体的健康密切相关。人体内微量元素的变化常常会反映出某种疾病的状态。肾病则是人体健康的杀手之一。探讨微量元素和慢性肾炎的关系。方法:快速电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS),同时测定血清中多个微量元素。样品加5mL浓硝酸经微波消化系统消解后可直接分析。结果:Na、K等微量元素在慢性肾炎发生时与正常组比较无显著性差异(P>0.05),而A l、Fe、Zn等则低于正常(P<0.05)。结论:根据肾病患者血清中微量元素的含量变化情况,可以为临床中肾病的治疗提供一定的指导。

ICP-AES法测定西藏大骨节病区及非病区饮用水中的微量元素

运用ICP-AES法准确测定了西藏地区大骨节病区和非病区中沟水、河水、泉水和溪水等四种饮用水中Cu，Zn，Fe，Ca，Mg，Mn，A1，K，Ba，P，Sr，Cd，V，Cr，Ni，PB和Co等多种微量元素的含量。该方法的相对标准偏差在0．80G～2．83％之间，标准物质的测定结果满意，方法简单可靠。文章通过对测定结果的分析，得出西藏不同地区、不同饮用水类型中微量元素的含量差异，为改善西藏大骨节病区居民的生活饮用水提供了科学理论依据。

慢性肾炎患者肝肾阴虚证与血清中微量元素关系研究

目的:初步探讨慢性肾炎肝肾阴虚证与血清微量元素关系。方法:快速电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS),同时测定血清中多种微量元素。样品加5mL浓硝酸经微波消化系统消解后可直接分析。结果:在慢性肾炎肝肾阴虚证等患者血清微量元素与正常组比较,Zn、Fe、Cu明显低于正常值(P<0.05),Mn元素高于正常组(P<0.05)。结论:实验结果表明慢性肾炎肝肾阴虚证患者血清中微量元素发生改变,将为临床慢性肾炎肝肾阴虚证研究提供借鉴。

血清β痕迹蛋白对肾小球滤过功能的评估

目的:研究血清β痕迹蛋白(βtrace protein,BTP)在肾小球滤过功能评估中的价值。方法:收集2004年2月至2005年4月间我科住院的慢性肾脏病患者108例,男:57例,女:51例,平均年龄(50.39±15.37)岁,以改进的免疫比浊法,测定BTP浓度。同时检测血肌酐(SCr)、血清胱抑素C(cystatin,CysC)、同位素99mTc-GFR(GFR),并用CG公式计算肌酐清除率(Ccr)、MDRD公式计算肾小球滤过率(eGFR)。以GFR为金指标,对上述检测方法行相关分析及受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)分析,计算ROC曲线下面积(AUC),比较各种检测方法的准确性,用四格表的卡方检验进行关联性的研究。结果:108例患者,血清BTP、Cys C、Ccr、eGFR和SCr的检测结果与GFR比较具有很好的相关性,相关系数分别为:-0.70、?0.82、0.79、0.81和?0.67,P均<0.01。BTP、CysC、eGFR、Ccr、SCr的AUC分别为0.913、0.889、0.878、0.864、0.846。在GFR<90 ml/min时,BTP、Cys C、Ccr、eGFR、SCr的诊断符合率分别是:86.11%、86.11%、92.59%、89.81%,72.22%。在GFR<60 ml/min时,其他指标的诊断符合率分别是BTP:81.5%、Cys C:79.6%、Ccr:76.8%、eGFR:77.7%,SCr:81.5%。结论:Ccr、eGFR与同位素99mTc-GFR等具有良好的相关性;BTP敏感性优于SCr;BTP检测方法简便快速,可作为评价肾功能不全的一项新指标,但仍需进一步研究。

微量元素与心血管疾病 Ⅱ.微量元素在心血管病中的可能作用及机制

心血管病的发生和发展至少与体内 3 5种元素不平衡有关 ,本文重点叙述了镁、钙、铜、铬、硒、锰、铁、锌、锶、铅等 1 0种元素在心血管病中的可能作用及机制。附 5图、 2 0表和

川西北高原壤塘县大骨节病区水环境微量元素分析

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