Radioimmunological hair analysis for narcotics and substitutes

In recent years it has become possible to detect organic pharmaceuticals and poisons in a few milligrams of hair, using radioimmunological methods. Some methods are specific for individual compounds, others for groups of compounds. This is of great importance inter alia for forensic purposes, especially in cases of drug abuse. With the help of such hair analysis it is possible to trace the drug career of an addicted person for up to one year, and in certain cases for a longer period. Frequently, the results provide information on events in the rather distant past. This can be of considerable anamnestic and forensic importance.

The role of biomarkers in reproductive and developmental toxicology

A massive outbreak of methylmercury poisoning took place in the winter of 1971-1972 due to the consumption of homemade bread contaminated with a methylmercury fungicide. The longitudinal analysis of the mother's head hair, collected after delivery of the baby, provided a means of recapitulating exposure to methylmercury during pregnancy. Methylmercury is incorporated into newly formed hair at a concentration that is proportional to the simultaneous concentration in blood. Since hair grows at a rate of approximately 1 cm/month, longitudinal analysis of the hair strand, centimeter by centimeter, will give a month by month recapitulation of blood levels. Depending on the length of the hair strand, it is possible to recapitulate several years of exposure. Using longitudinal hair analysis, it was possible to compare the methylmercury levels in the mother during pregnancy with the severity and frequency of effects in her offspring. As in the previous incidents, high levels of prenatal exposure led to severe brain damage. However, it was also possible to identify milder effects of methylmercury as manifested by delayed development. It was possible to demonstrate a dose-effect and dose-response relationship between the maximum concentration of methylmercury in maternal hair during pregnancy and evidence of delayed development and mild neurological abnormalities in the offspring. These relationships provided quantitative evidence that the developing nervous system is more susceptible to damage than the mature brain.

Hair minerals and diet of Prader-Willi syndrome youth

This study investigated the relationships between mineral elements and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and determined which minerals, if any, separated a group of PWS individuals (N = 19) from a non-PWS mentally retarded control group (N = 60). The PWS group had significantly raised hair magnesium levels and significantly lower hair silicon levels than controls. The PWS group was also elevated in hair calcium, magnesium, and copper in relation to laboratory standards, while their hair silicon, chromium, and lithium levels were deficient in relation to laboratory norms. Discriminant function analysis revealed that by using 16 hair minerals subjects could be correctly classified as PWS or non-PWS with 89.5% and 95.0% accuracy, respectively. It is concluded that continuing research is needed to study the relationship between mineral element patterns and PWS.

Women in dental surgeries: reproductive hazards in occupational exposure to metallic mercury

Eighty-one women (45 dentists and 36 dental assistants) occupationally exposed to metallic mercury underwent a toxicoclinical examination. Total mercury lebels (TMLs) were determined in scalp and pubic hair by cold vapour AAS. Furthermore a detailed questionnaire study was made concerning adverse reproductive events. TMLs in the hair of the exposed women examined exceeded significantly those determined in the hair of 34 controls not exposed to mercury. All exposed women had continued working during pregnancy. There was a significant, positive association between TMLs in the hair of exposed women and the occurrence of reproductive failures in their history. The relation between TMLs in the scalp hair and the prevalence of menstrual cycle disorders was statistically significant. These findings indicate that dental work could be another occupational hazard with respect to reproductive processes.

Involucrin expression in skin appendage tumours

The expression of involucrin was examined in 23 skin tumours of hair follicle origin, 17 tumours of sweat gland origin and three tumours of unknown origin, using an immunoperoxidase technique. All tumours from the hair follicle showed a positive reaction for involucrin. In particular keratoacanthoma and the squamous eddies in various tumours stained strongly. Trichofolliculoma, trichilemmoma and pilomatrixoma exhibited characteristic staining patterns which resembled those in the normal hair follicle. On the other hand the majority of the tumours of sweat gland origin did not stain, with restricted positive reactions in areas showing lumen formation or squamous metaplasia. In contrast to the lack of staining in syringoma, a positive reaction was observed in desmoplastic trichoepithelioma, which is histologically similar to syringoma. Clear cell acanthoma, the origin of which is still controversial, showed a staining pattern which indicated that its origin may not be in the sweat gland. These results suggest that testing for involucrin in skin appendage tumours may be very useful for understanding the kinetics of maturation as well as in determining the origin of the tumours.

The microfibrillar proteins of human hair: separation by high-performance liquid chromatography and isolation of some proteins enriched in glycine and tyrosine

The microfibrillar proteins of human hair have been studied by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A chromatographic procedure which isolates the microfibrillar proteins from other hair-matrix proteins and separates them into collectable fractions has been introduced. These fibrous proteins fall into two major subgroups which are resolved into six components. The same procedure has also resulted in the identification and simultaneous separation of a group of proteins rich in glycine and tyrosine never before detected in human hair. Comparative electrophoretic studies of the crude microfibrillar proteins reveal five bands with apparent molecular weights of 47,000, 50,000, 53,000, 57,000, and 62,000. The relationship between the electrophoretic bands and the chromatographic fractions is now under investigation.

Hair analysis in clinical and experimental medicine

Each year approximately 9800 papers on trace elements are published. Of these, approximately 75 deal with trace elements and hair. Review articles appear annually. Some of these studies demonstrate that the mean concentration of an essential trace element is lower or that of a potentially toxic element is higher in the hair of a group of people afflicted with a specific disease. Associations between hair analyses and demographic variables have been found. Fewer studies have shown a correlation between essential elements in hair of animals and the same elements in organs. It is possible to measure trace elements in hair to satisfy the skeptical chemist. Although such measurement is a necessary prelude toward medical utility, it is not sufficient. Hair analysis seems potentially useful in experimental medicine but its use in clinical medicine for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy will remain limited until validation by the standard methods of clinical investigation is achieved.

Zinc and immunocompetence in the elderly: baseline data on zinc nutriture and immunity in unsupplemented subjects

Zinc nutriture and immune function were studied in 100 subjects, age 60-89 yr. Mean (+/- SD) zinc concentrations found were 84.8 +/- 15.5 micrograms/dL (13.0 +/- 2.4 microM) for plasma, 1.04 +/- 0.24 micrograms (0.016 +/- 0.004 mumol)/10(9) cells for erythrocytes, 4.06 +/- 1.85 micrograms (0.062 +/- 0.028 mumol)/10(9) cells for mononuclear cells, 3.91 +/- 1.77 micrograms (0.060 +/- 0.027 mumol)/10(9) cells for polymorphonuclear leukocytes, 0.53 +/- 0.39 micrograms (0.0081 +/- 0.0060 mumol)/10(9) cells for platelets, and 222 +/- 101 micrograms (3.39 +/- 1.54 mumol)/g for hair. Zinc ingestion was below the RDA in more than 90% of study subjects. The incidence of anergy to a panel of seven skin test antigens was 41%; responses to these antigens were significantly associated with the plasma zinc concentration. Subjects with depressed lymphocyte responses to mitogens had significantly lower platelet and significantly higher mononuclear cell zinc concentrations than those with normal responses.

Comparative absorption of zinc picolinate, zinc citrate and zinc gluconate in humans

The comparative absorption of zinc after oral administration of three different complexed forms was studied in 15 healthy human volunteers in a double-blind four-period crossover trial. The individuals were randomly divided into four groups. Each group rotated for four week periods through a random sequence of oral supplementation including: zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, and zinc gluconate (equivalent to 50 mg elemental zinc per day) and placebo. Zinc was measured in hair, urine, erythrocyte and serum before and after each period. At the end of four weeks hair, urine and erythrocyte zinc levels rose significantly (p less than 0.005, p less than 0.001, and p less than 0.001) during zinc picolinate administration. There was no significant change in any of these parameters from zinc gluconate, zinc citrate or placebo administration. There was a small, insignificant rise in serum zinc during zinc picolinate, zinc citrate and placebo supplementation. The results of this study suggest that zinc absorption in humans can be improved by complexing zinc with picolinic acid.

[Zinc nutrition in young Chilean adults]

To evaluate the effect of dietary factors on plasma zinc levels, dietary zinc intake was estimated and plasma levels were measured in 37 healthy young adults of low and middle socioeconomic status. Our study included 16 males aged 29 +/- 7 and 21 females aged 26 +/- 6 years. Dietary intake of zinc and protein was determined from a 24-hour dietary recall survey. Plasma zinc was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) in plasma was also measured and the weight/height percentage for each subject calculated according to Jelliffe's standards. The average diet was composed of cereals, legumes, eggs, bread and noodles, caloric intake was 2051 +/- 154 kcal/day for men and 1767 +/- 158 (x +/- SD) kcal/day for women. The daily intake of zinc was 8.3 +/- 3.0 mg/day for males, and 9.7 +/- 2.0 mg/day for females. Cereals were the main source of zinc for men, while egg and dairy products were for women. Plasma zinc values were 82 +/- 22 micrograms/dl for men and 94 +/- 19 micrograms/dl for women (p less than 0.01). For the whole group plasma zinc concentration was 89 +/- 21 micrograms/dl. Seven males and two females had low plasma zinc values (70 micrograms/dl or less). Alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels were 110 +/- 10 IU for males and 71 +/- 4 IU for females (p less than 0.001). These values did not correlate with the zinc levels. Average weight/height was 99 +/- 18 for men, and 108 +/- 18 for females. Results indicate that on the average, in our study group plasma zinc levels were within the normal range, although they were significantly lower in men. Dietary intake of zinc was below the recommendations, being higher for women as related to values presented by men. The observed low plasma levels of zinc may be caused by a low intake, and/or poor bioavailability.

Pain in oral galvanism

The present study reports on a controlled investigation of 38 patients with signs and symptoms of presumed oral galvanism, referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University of Helsinki for examination and treatment. A significant difference in mental health and in intraoral sensitivity threshold was found between patients and controls: patients with oral galvanism were mentally more disturbed and had a lower sensibility threshold than those in the control group. There was no statistical difference in electrical currents, potential or energy capacity in the dental metallic restorations between patients and controls. The frequency of allergies and oral candida infection was similar to that of a normal population. The possibility of exposure to mercury was excluded through a head hair analysis. The psychic background of complaints and findings is emphasized and a hypothesis for the mechanism giving rise to discomfort is presented.

The ABO blood grouping of a minute hair sample by the immunohistochemical technique

The unlabeled antibody (PAP) immunoperoxidase technique was applied to the ABO blood grouping of human scalp hairs. Hair samples were subjected to longitudinal- or cross-sectioning, thus obtaining suitable samples for subsequent immunostaining. The immunostaining was carried out using rabbit anti-A and anti-B sera as the primary antibodies. With this technique, the group-specific staining which is revealed as a dark brown precipitate was clearly observed within the medullae of the hair shaft, and depending on the presence or absence of these precipitates, respective blood groups of unknown hair samples were determined. At the hair root, on the other hand, positive stainings were observed not only in medullary cells but also in some cortical cells of the keratogenous zone. From the present study, it can be safely said that this technique is of practical use for the ABO blood grouping from a minute (less than 3 mm) hair sample.

Hair mercury content among residents of Cumana, Venezuela

Mercury in scalp hair of 135 individuals (65 males, 70 females) between the ages of 6 and 61 residing in Cumaná, Venezuela, were determined by cold vapour atomic absorption. The average hair mercury content was 2.01 +/- 0.51 ppm, with a range of 0.42-6.08 ppm. The differences in the distribution of Hg in the hair of male and female subjects were insignificant. Hair mercury content was not correlated with age.

Biological monitoring of metals with special references to the early stages of the life cycle

In summary, the biological monitoring of toxic metals in the early stages of the life cycle has not yet received the attention it deserves. Most metals have simply not been studied at all. Some successful applications with mercury, lead, and cadmium have been reviewed here. But even for these widely studied metals, there is a great need to study physiological models for metal disposition in developing animals.

[Determination of antimony in nail and hair by thermal neutron activation analysis]

The concentration of antimony in nail and hair was determined by thermal neutron activation analysis. Samples were collected from the workers of an antimony refinery, inhabitants near the refinery, and residents in control area. They were irradiated by Kyoto University 5 000 kW Reactor for 1 h, and cooled for 30 to 100 days. After cooling, the concentration of Sb in nail and hair was estimated by measuring the intensity of gamma-ray from 124Sb of the samples, then the samples were washed by 0.1% aqueous solution of nonionic surface active agent in an ultrasonic cleaner. The gamma-ray spectrometry was done again (after washing). The concentration of Sb in nail before washing was 730 ppm for the workers, 2.46 ppm for habitants near the refinery, and 0.19 ppm for the control; after washing, it became 230 ppm for the workers, 0.63 ppm for habitants, and 0.09 ppm for the control. The concentration of Sb in hair before and after washing was 222 ppm and 196 ppm for the workers, and 0.21 ppm and 0.15 ppm for the control, respectively.

Levels of arsenic in alcohol-related liver disease

Increased levels of arsenic were found in serum and urine and in hair and nails of patients suffering from alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). Various surveys were conducted in different places to find the cause for high arsenic in ALD. It was found that patients were consuming 'home made brew' which was contaminated with arsenic.

Hydroxychloroquine in polymorphic light eruption: a controlled trial with drug and visual sensitivity monitoring

A double-blind controlled trial of oral hydroxychloroquine (HC) treatment in polymorphic light eruption (PLE) was completed in 13 patients on active treatment and 15 on placebo during June, July and August 1982. HC dose was 400 mg daily for the first month and 200 mg daily thereafter. Exposure to ambient solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) was monitored throughout the trial by polysulphone film lapel badges. Patients scored their symptoms on a visual analogue scale. Drug concentration was monitored in plasma and hair, and oculotoxicity was assessed by visual contrast sensitivity. Moderate clinical improvement occurred, associated with a statistically significant improvement in skin rash (P less than 0.01).

Menkes disease--an autopsy case with metal analysis of hair

We report the first case of Menkes' disease in Korea, occurring in a 1 1/2 year old boy with characteristic clinical, arteriographic and pathologic features. Postmortem examination revealed widespread neuronal destruction and abnormally tortuous and elongated large arteries including cerebral, visceral and limb vessels. Microscopically, many of the hairs formed were twisted (pili torti), of varying caliber (monilethrix), and fractured (trichorrhexis nodosa). In the radioactivated analysis of scalp hair, copper elements was not found. The abnormal vessels were characterized by fragmentation and disruption of the internal elastic lamina with intimal proliferation. The neuronal destruction was widespread in the cerebral gray matter and in the cerebellum, and there was associated gliosis. The changes in the cerebellum were particularly severe, with neuronal loss in the internal granular cell layer. Many Purkinje cells were lost, and the remainder showed unusual dendritic sprouts from the cell body and grotesque proliferation of dendritic tree. In other organs, mild chronic peribronchitis, and scattered foci of immature glomeruli in renal cortex were noted.

Collisional spectroscopy for unequivocal and rapid determination of morphine at ppb level in the hair of heroin addicts

A new analytical procedure for the identification of morphine in the hair of heroin addicts has been developed using collisional spectroscopy, on a commercially available, reverse geometry, double focusing instrument. Either collision-induced dissociation (B/E = const) linked scans or mass analysed ion kinetic energy spectra lead to an unequivocal and rapid determination of morphine in hydrolysed hair extract which may be compared with the data obtained by different and more traditional analytical methods.

A simplified method for the electrophoretic analysis of hair proteins

Hair proteins have been analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using a simplified method without S-carboxymethylation, protein fractionation and lyophilization. The molecular weights of the proteins have been determined and human, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, gerbil, cow and sheep hair compared. These molecular weight values are consistent with those obtained using physical methods as compared to anomalously high values previously reported following electrophoresis of S-carboxymethylated hair proteins. Additional high molecular weight proteins, possibly of a dimeric nature, have also been detected.

Radioimmunological determination of cocaine in human hair

A simple procedure for the determination of cocaine in human hair was described. After washing hair samples were crushed in 0.1 m HCl and incubated overnight at 45 degrees C. The acid extracts were neutralized with 1 m NaOH. Phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) was added to the extracts. The cocaine concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Detection in hair was achieved in all hair samples obtained from cocaine users. This method appears to be suitable for the routine determination of cocaine.

Neutron activation analysis of trace elements in human hair: effect of dietary and environmental factors

Effect of environment and dietary habits on trace element contents in human scalp hair has been investigated in the present work. Trace elements were detected with neutron activation technique. It was found that diet and environment contribute largely towards the trace elements in human body. Further trace elements Te, Lu, Ba, Cs, Yb, Re, Hf, In and Ir were detected for the first time in human scalp hair.

Isoelectric focusing patterns of some mammalian keratins

An isoelectric focusing method followed by silver staining has been used for the study of keratins from a total of 97 individuals belonging to 17 families and 39 species. The method distinguishes perfectly between two different animal species. In addition, there are often considerable differences between breeds and even occasionally slight individual differences which in no way impede the identification of a particular species as such.

Zinc status and delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity in handicapped children treated with anticonvulsants

Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity and hair zinc contents were investigated in 68 children treated with anticonvulsants and 14 untreated children, and serum zinc contents were also measured in 21 of the treated and 13 of the untreated children. Serum zinc levels in the treated and untreated children were 82.7 +/- 7.1 and 85.1 +/- 18.2 micrograms/dl, respectively. Hair zinc levels in the treated and untreated children were 145.4 +/- 27.0 and 144.3 +/- 20.1 micrograms/g, respectively. These two parameters were not significantly different between the two groups. However, a significantly depressed skin reaction and a higher incidence of hypozincnemia (below 70 micrograms/dl) were found in the treated children (p less than 0.05). The results indicated that phenytoin-induced zinc deficiency might be one of the possible factors or exacerbatory factors in suppressed cellular immunity found with anticonvulsant therapy.

Hair zinc and copper concentration in survivors of myocardial infarction

Increased Zn/Cu ratio in the diet, and consequently in the body, was suggested to be of importance in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Head hair of 29 male survivors of myocardial infarction and of 23 control males was studied for the concentration of Zn and Cu. The Zn hair concentration and Zn/Cu ratio in survivors of myocardial infarction was significantly higher in comparison with controls. The inclusion of the Zn/Cu ratio into the discriminant analysis using total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol considerably improved the coefficient R2 and decreased the number of cases not properly classified.

Determination of cocaine in human hair by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A qualitative method for the determination of cocaine alone without its metabolites in human hair by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was developed. The assay used helium as carrier gas, a 30-m bonded phase fused silica OV-1 capillary column, and solid injection at 290 degrees C evaporator temperature. The cocaine concentrations in hair were determined also by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The values obtained are the sum of cocaine and its metabolites. Both GC/MS and RIA meet the requirements for the determination of drug abuse by two different methods in forensic science.

Trace element investigations in kidney stone patients

31 different trace elements were analyzed in 24 kidney stones using the atomic absorption method. Where a significant trace element content in the concrements was detected, blood, urine and hair from the stone patients were investigated with respect to their trace element concentrations. In calcium stones mainly Fe, Pb, Sr and Zn and in organic stones As, Fe and Zn were found. No correlation could be found between the trace element content in stones, blood and urine. The hair of a woman with high As content in her stone contained a normal As concentration.

Polar lipid composition of mammalian hair

The types and amounts of polar lipids from the hair of monkey (Macacca fascicularis), dog (Canis familiaris), pig (Sus scrofa) and porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) have been determined by quantitative thin-layer chromatography. The polar lipid content of the hair samples ranged from 0.6 to 1.6 wt%. Lipid compositions included ceramides (57-63% of the polar lipid by weight), glycosphingolipids (7-9%) and cholesteryl sulfate (22-29%). Several minor components (4-7%) remain unidentified. The results suggest that cholesteryl sulfate may be an important determinant of the cohesiveness of hair.