Comparative evaluation of essential and toxic elements in the blood of kidney failure patients and healthy referents

Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of toxic metals and trace elements in the tissues of renal cell carcinoma compared with the adjacent non-cancerous and control kidney tissues

Toxic metals and trace elements (TMTE) are linked to the development of several human cancers. Many reports have documented the association between some TMTE and renal cell carcinoma. In this work, we assessed the presence (qualitative) and evaluated the concentration (quantitative) of 22 TMTE in three groups of kidney tissue samples: renal cell carcinoma (RCC), adjacent non-cancerous, and control kidney tissues from cadavers. A total of 75 paired specimens of RCC and adjacent non-cancerous tissues were harvested immediately after radical nephrectomy and preserved in 10% diluted formalin solution. Twelve specimens, age- and sex-matched from the normal kidney tissue of the cadavers, who died from non-cancerous reasons, were collected and served as control. All tissue specimens were subjected to evaluation of TMTE concentration (22 elements in each specimen) by using the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) technique. The tumor, histopathology, stage, and grade were correlated with the concentration and types of TMTE. The results showed that the histological types of RCC were as follows: clear cell type in 35 (21.5%), chromophobe 22 (13.5%), papillary 7 (4.5%), oncocytoma 5 (3.1%), and unclassified 6 (3.7%). ICP-OES revealed that tumorous (RCC) tissues had a higher concentration of 9 TMTE (Ca, Cd, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, S, and Sr) compared with both the adjacent non-cancerous and control tissue. The adjacent non-cancerous kidney tissues showed the highest concentration of Fe, K, and Na. The control of kidney tissues from cadavers had the highest level of Cu, Zn, Mo, and B compared with the cancerous and adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Female patients had higher concentrations of Zn and Cu in the non-cancerous tissues of their kidneys. Younger patients had a higher concentration of B in the adjacent non-cancerous, and higher Cu in the cancerous tissues. Cadmium concentration was highest in the chromophobe cell type of RCC compared with other subtypes. There was no correlation between the TMTE concentration and the pathological stage of RCC.

A new fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensor for Al3+ and F−/CN− based on a julolidine unit and its bioimaging in living cells

A novel multifunctional chemosensor HL bearing a julolidine unit and a Schiff base unit has been synthesized. As a fluorescent sensor, HL exhibited excellent selectivity and high sensitivity to Al³⁺ and F⁻/CN⁻ with a low detection limit in acetonitrile. Moreover, HL also showed good colorimetric selectivity to F⁻/CN⁻; a solution color change from colorless to light yellow in acetonitrile was observed by the ‘naked-eye’. The properties of HL with Al³⁺ and F⁻/CN⁻ were studied by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry and ¹H NMR titration. Furthermore, the cell imaging experimental results indicated that the chemosensor HL could be applied for the detection of Al³⁺ in living cells.

A novel multifunctional chemosensor HL bearing a julolidine unit and a Schiff base unit has been synthesized.

Modulation of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors (NMDAR), Bcl-2 and C-Fos Gene Expressions on Exposure to Individual and Mixtures of Low Concentration Metals in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Currently, there is limited information on the toxicity of low concentration of metal mixtures in the environment. Of particular interest is the effect of low levels of metal mixtures on neurodevelopment of aquatic organisms. This study reports the neurological gene expressions after exposing zebrafish embryos to low concentration toxic heavy metals, 120 h post fertilization (hpf). Embryos were exposed to low concentration individual and mixtures of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd). Quantitative real-time PCR was used to assess gene expressions. The findings of this study confirmed that exposure to low concentration heavy metals upregulated N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits NMDAR2A (NR2A), NMDAR2B (NR2B), and NMDAR2D (NR2D) and B cell lymphoma (Bcl-2) genes. NR2A genes were significantly upregulated by 90 and 74%, respectively, on exposure to Pb + As and Pb + Cd. NR2B genes were upregulated by 85.3, 68.6, 62.7, and 62.7% on exposure to As, Pb + Hg, Pb + As, and Pb + Cd, respectively. Exposure to As, Pb + Cd, and Pb + Hg + As significantly upregulated Bcl-2 genes by 2.01-, 1.84-, and 1.80-fold, respectively. NR1A and C-fos gene expressions were not significantly different from control. Upregulation of NMDAR subunits and Bcl-2 genes in this study was largely a counter measure against insults from exposure to low concentration heavy metals. Principal component analysis confirmed the influence of low concentration individual and mixtures of Pb, Hg, As, and Cd on gene expression of NMDAR subunits and Bcl-2. These data suggest that altered expression of NMDA receptor subunits and Bcl-2 genes may explain toxicity of low concentration individual and mixtures of Pb, Hg, As, and Cd.

A new supramolecular based liquid solid microextraction method for preconcentration and determination of trace bismuth in human blood serum and hair samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and reliable supramolecule-aggregated liquid solid microextraction method is described for preconcentration and determination of trace amounts of bismuth in water as well as human blood serum and hair samples. Catanionic microstructures of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactants, dissolved in deionized water/propanol, are used as a green solvent to extract bismuth (III)-diethyldithiocarbamate complexes by dispersive microextraction methodology. The extracted solid phase is easily removed and dissolved in 50 μL propanol for subsequent measurement by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET-AAS). The procedure benefits the merits of supramolecule aggregates' properties and dispersive microextraction technique using water as the main component of disperser solvent, leading to direct interaction with analyte. Phase separation behavior of extraction solvent and different parameters influencing the extraction efficiency of bismuth ion such as salt concentration, pH, centrifugation time, amount of chelating agent, SDS:CTAB mole ratio, and solvent amounts were thoroughly optimized. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.3-6 μg L^-1 Bi (III) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.16 μg L^-1 (S/N = 3). The relative standard deviations (RSD) of determination were obtained to be 5.1 and 6.2 % for 1 and 3 μg L^-1 of Bi (III), respectively. The developed method was successfully applied as a sensitive and accurate technique for determination of bismuth ion in human blood serum, hair samples, and a certified reference material.

Evaluated the adverse effects of cadmium and aluminum via drinking water to kidney disease patients: Application of a novel solid phase microextraction method

In present study aluminum (Al) and cadmium (Cd) were determined in ground water samples and assesses human health risks associated with elevated concentrations of toxic metals in dissolved form, using a novel solid phase microextraction (SPμE). Ground water sample (n=200) and biological sample (blood) of patients having chronic kidney disorders (CKD) along with healthy control subjects of same area (southern part of Pakistan) were collected. A simple system, including the micropipette tip packed with modified ionic liquid-activated carbon cloth (IL-ACC) coated with 8-hydroxyqunilone (8-HQ) attached to syringe. The analytes in water and acid digested blood samples were manually drawn for 2-10 cycles (drawing/discharging) at different pH range. The analytes sorbed on coated ACC were then desorbed with 2.0molL(-1) HNO3 in ethanol by drawing/discharging cycles for 1-5 times. The concentration of extracted analytes was determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer. The influence of different variables on the extraction efficiency of Cd and Al, were optimized. The Al and Cd concentrations in groundwater were found to be elevated than recommended limits by the World Health Organization. The urinary N-acetyl-h-glucosaminidase values were significantly higher in CKD patients as compared to refrent subjects (p<0.001). The significant variation in levels of Cd and Al were observed in blood samples of CKD patients than referents subjects (p<0.01). The strong positive correlation among Al and Cd levels in groundwater versus blood samples of CKD patients (r=0.82-0.85) p<0.01) was observed than those values calculated for referent subjects (r=0.425-0.536).

Correlation of cadmium and aluminum in blood samples of kidney disorder patients with drinking water and tobacco smoking: related health risk

The combined exposure to aluminum (Al) and cadmium (Cd) causes more pronounced adverse health effects on humans. The kidneys are the main organs affected by internal exposure to Cd and Al via food and non-food items. The objective of present study was to measure the Al and Cd concentrations in cigarettes tobacco (branded and non-branded) and drinking water (domestic treated, ground and lake water) samples in southern part of Pakistan, to assess the risk due to ingestion of water and inhalation of cigarettes smoke containing high concentrations of both elements. The study population (kidney disorder and healthy) divided into two group based on consuming lake and ground water, while smoking non-branded cigarette as exposed, while drinking domestic treated water and smoking branded cigarette as non-exposed. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determined Cd and Al concentrations in tobacco, drinking water and blood samples. The resulted data indicated that the levels of Al and Cd in lake and underground water were higher than the permissible limit in drinking water recommended by the World Health Organization. The biochemical parameters of exposed and referent patients, especially urinary N-acetyl-h-glucosaminidase, were used as a biomarkers of kidney disorder. Exposed kidney disorder patients have higher levels of Cd and Al than the exposed referents subjects, while difference was significant when compared to resulted data of non-exposed patients and referents (p = 0.01-0.001). The pearson correlation showed positive correlation between both toxic element concentrations in water, cigarettes versus blood samples of exposed subjects (r = 0.20-0.67 and 0.71-0.82), while lower values were observed for non-exposed subjects (r = 0.123-0.423 and 0.331-0.425), respectively.

Efficient removal of free and nitrilotriacetic acid complexed Cd(II) from water by poly(1-vinylimidazole)-grafted Fe3O4@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles

Poly(1-vinylimidazole)-grafted Fe3O4@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles (FSPV) were developed to remove both free Cd(II) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) complexed Cd(II) from water. The adsorption capacity of NTA-complexed Cd(II) (42.1 mg/g) was larger than that of free Cd(II) (24.8 mg/g). Free Cd(II) and NTA-complexed Cd(II) could be reduced from 50 μg/L to below 5 μg/L within 10 and 20 min, respectively. FSPV could effectively remove trace free and NTA-complexed Cd(II) over broad pH ranges of 5-10 and 5-11, respectively. Moreover, the presence of seven coexisting ions (up to 100 mM) including four cations (Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), and Mg(2+)) and three anions (Cl(-), NO3(-), and SO4(2-)) all slightly promoted the removal of both free and NTA-complexed Cd(II) onto FSPV. The removal of free Cd(II) or NTA-complexed Cd(II) was not obviously affected by the presence of Ni(II) and Co(II) (50 μg/L), humic acid (up to 3 mg/L as TOC) or alginate (up to 8 mg/L as TOC). In addition, FSPV could be regenerated with 10 mM HCl in 10 min, and the removal of both types of Cd(II) maintained above 95% in five consecutive adsorption/regeneration cycles. Therefore, FSPV could be utilized as promising adsorbent for both free and NTA-complexed Cd(II).