Magnesium, calcium, and trace elements excretion in 24-h urine

Macroelement and Microelement Levels in the Urine in Experimental Acanthamoebiasis

Free-living amoebas can impact the excretion of macroelements and microelements in urine. The aim of the present study was to examine the concentrations of macroelements, including calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg), as well as microelements such as manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and chromium (Cr), in the urine during acanthamoebiasis while considering the host's immunological status. This is the first study to show an increase in urinary excretion of Ca, Mn, Cu, Fe, Na, and Cr, along with a decreased excretion of K, in immunocompetent mice 16 days post Acanthamoeba sp. infection. In the final phase of infection (24 dpi), there was a further decrease in urinary K excretion and a lower level of P in Acanthamoeba sp. infected immunocompetent hosts. During acanthamoebiasis in immunosuppressed hosts, increased excretion of Zn, Fe, and Cr was observed at the beginning of the infection, and increased Na excretion only at 16 days post Acanthamoeba sp. infection. Additionally, host immunosuppression affected the concentration of Fe, Cr, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Ca in urine.

Detection of Above-Ground Physiological Indices of an Apple Rootstock Superior Line 12-2 with Improved Apple Replant Disease (ARD) Resistance

(1) Background: The cultivation of resistant rootstocks is an effective way to prevent ARD. (2) Methods: 12-2 (self-named), T337, and M26 were planted in replanted and sterilized soil. The aboveground physiological indices were determined. (3) Results: The plant heights and the stem thicknesses of T337 and M26 were significantly affected by ARD. Relative chlorophyll content (June–October), Pn (August–September), and Gs (August) of T337 and relative chlorophyll content (June–July, September), Pn (September–October), and Ci (September) of M26 were significantly affected by ARD. ARD had a significant effect on Fv/Fm (June), qP (June–July), and NPQ of T337 (June–October, except August) and Fv/Fm (June) and NPQ (June-October, except July) of M26. Additionally, ARD affected Rfd of M26 and T337 during August. SOD (August and October), POD (August–September), and CAT (July-August, October) activities and MDA (September–October) content of T338 as well as SOD (July–October), POD (June–October), and CAT (July-October) activities and MDA (July, September–October) content of M26 were significantly affected by ARD. ARD significantly reduced nitrogen (October), phosphorus (September–October), and zinc (July) contents of M26 and potassium (June) content of T337. The above physiological indices were not affected by ARD in 12-2. (4) Conclusions: 12-2 could be useful as an important rootstock to relieve ARD due to strong resistance.

Assessment of the nutritional value of various teas infusions in terms of the macro- and trace elements content

BACKGROUND

Herbal teas are a good alternative to traditional green, black, red and white teas. Herbal teas infusions are also consumed for therapeutic purposes. Teas are the source of many valuable, biologically active compounds, including elements. Infusions drawn up from various teas may be one of the minerals sources in a daily diet. In the study, an attempt was made to assess infusions prepared from popular teas in terms of the content of elements in them.

METHODS

In the work, the amounts of elements such as Ca (calcium), Cr (chromium), Cu (copper), Fe (iron), K (potassium), Mg (magnesium), Mn (manganese), Na (sodium), Ni (nickel) and Zn (zinc) were determined in herbal teas infusions as well as yerba mate and rooibos by atomic absorption spectrometry method (AAS). Their participation in covering the daily nutrient requirements for particular elements was also estimated.

RESULTS

The average amount (mg/g) of elements that passed from 1 g of teas to their infusions was following: Ca - 5.73 ± 3.33, K - 18.14 ± 9.50, Mg - 1.79 ± 3.47, Na - 1.34 ± 0.85, and (μg/g) for: Cr - 0.14 ± 0.14, Cu - 2.56 ± 1.53, Fe - 18.45 ± 11.90, Mn - 64.20 ± 88.82, Ni - 0.49 ± 0.30 and Zn - 10.77 ± 13.89. Among the tested teas, the infusions of hibiscus, horsetail, nettle, rooibos and yerba mate contained the largest quantities of minerals. A significant positive correlation was determined between the pH value of infusion and Mg content, as well as some pairs of correlating elements (Ca-K, Ca-Mg, Cr-Mg, Cu-Zn and K-Mg) were found in the analyzed brews.

CONCLUSIONS

Generally, the infusions of herbal teas to a small extent cover the daily allowance for elements, however they are a valuable complementary source of them.

Urinary ionomic analysis reveals new relationship between minerals and longevity in a Han Chinese population

Human longevity involves genetic, nutritional, environmental and many other factors playing a key role in healthy aging. Previous studies have shown that mineral metabolism and homeostasis are associated with lifespan extension. However, the majority of them have focused on a limited number of elements and ignored the complex relationship between them. In this study, we carried out a network-based approach to investigate the urinary ionome of nonagenarians and centenarians (longevity group) when compared with their biologically unrelated and younger family members (control group) from a Han Chinese population. Several differentially changed elements were identified, almost all of which showed an elevated level in the longevity group. Correlation analysis of the ionome revealed significant element-element interactions in each group. We then divided each group into distinct subgroups according to age ranges, and built the elemental correlation network for each of them. Significant elemental correlations and correlation changes involving all examined elements were identified within or between different subgroups, implying a highly dynamic and complex crosstalk among the elements during human life. Finally, more similar elemental patterns were observed between extremely old and middle-aged people. Overall, our data reveal new relationship between urinary minerals and human longevity, which may extend our understanding of the mechanism of healthy aging.

Biomonitoring of metals and trace elements in urine of central Ethiopian populations

Biomonitoring of chemical concentrations in humans is important for detecting, monitoring, and addressing a wide range of health threats. However, it is virtually absent across many African nations, including Ethiopia. This study aims to determine urinary concentrations for metals and trace elements in populations living in the central Ethiopian Rift Valley. The region is unindustralized, rural, and characterized by unique geologic rifting and volcanic activities that have produced vast pyroclastic materials, forming its aquifer and fertile agricultural soils. Millions of people in the region rely on wells for drinking water and are engaged in cereal-based subsistence agriculture. We enrolled a total of 386 residents aged 10-50 years old (201 females and 185 males). The levels of 23 elements except F^─ were quantified in water and urine samples by ICP-MS. Mean concentrations of B, F^─, Ca, and Mg were measured in mg/L levels, while concentrations of Mo, Zn, Sr, Rb, and Li ranged between 100 and 700 μg/L. Mean concentrations between 5 and 15 μg/L were found for Ni, Cu, and Mn, while Ag, Be, Cd, Co, Pb, Sb, Th, TI, and U were all below 5 μg/L. Arsenic and Al had mean concentrations between 30 and 50 μg/L. Mean urinary concentrations of Ca, Cu, Mg, Pb, Sr, and Zn were significantly higher in males than females, whereas Co and Mn were higher in females. Finally, younger individuals (10-30 years) had significantly higher mean concentrations of B, Cd, Co, Mg, Mo, and Pb than those between 31 and 50 years, whereas only Ca was higher in the older age group. The concentration ranges of B, Mo, Mn, TI, Li, Zn, and in particular F^─ (0.44-44.6 mg/L) and As (2.2-164 μg/L) in urine were higher than the reference ranges reported in healthy unexposed North American and European populations, while those for the remaining 16 elements were comparable to published reference ranges from such settings. The established concentration ranges are important to monitor future changes in exposure, and risk factors for disease, that might stem from the economic growth and industrialization that is currently underway in the region.

Association of Zinc, Copper and Magnesium with bone mineral density in Iranian postmenopausal women - a case control study

BACKGROUND

The risk of inadequate nutrition such as trace elements and vitamin deficiencies is considerable in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to compare trace elements (Zinc, Copper and Magnesium) concentration in nail, urine and serum among osteoporotic postmenopausal women with control group in Iran.

METHODS

Forty eight postmenopausal women aged 36-60 years, were recruited, consisting 30 osteoporotic patients and 18 healthy controls. Blood, nail and urine concentration of Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and magnesium (Mg) were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma -Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) method. Their Bone Mineral Density was measured by Dual X-ray Absorption (DEXA) method.

RESULTS

The urine level of trace elements had significant difference between osteoporotic groups and controls (p < 0.001). Moreover Mg level significantly differed in serum between two groups (p < 0.04). There was no statistically significant difference in trace minerals in nail beyond groups.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that Urine Zn level could be considerable an appropriate marker for bone absorption, usage of Zn supplements in postmenopausal women may result a beneficial reduction in osteoporotic risk.

Measurement of isotope abundance variations in nature by gravimetric spiking isotope dilution analysis (GS-IDA)

Subtle variations in the isotopic composition of elements carry unique information about physical and chemical processes in nature and are now exploited widely in diverse areas of research. Reliable measurement of natural isotope abundance variations is among the biggest challenges in inorganic mass spectrometry as they are highly sensitive to methodological bias. For decades, double spiking of the sample with a mix of two stable isotopes has been considered the reference technique for measuring such variations both by multicollector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) and multicollector-thermal ionization mass spectrometry (MC-TIMS). However, this technique can only be applied to elements having at least four stable isotopes. Here we present a novel approach that requires measurement of three isotope signals only and which is more robust than the conventional double spiking technique. This became possible by gravimetric mixing of the sample with an isotopic spike in different proportions and by applying principles of isotope dilution for data analysis (GS-IDA). The potential and principle use of the technique is demonstrated for Mg in human urine using MC-TIMS for isotopic analysis. Mg is an element inaccessible to double spiking methods as it consists of three stable isotopes only and shows great potential for metabolically induced isotope effects waiting to be explored.

Twenty-four-hour urinary trace element excretion: reference intervals and interpretive issues

Background

Introduction of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) into clinical laboratories has led to an increasing application of analyses to risk assessment for toxicity from environmental exposure to trace elements, and in occupational monitoring. Interpretation of results from random urine samples may be problematic and measurement of excretion over 24 h is sometimes preferable. Recent reference data are sparse.

Methods

Twenty-four-hour urine samples from 111 healthy adults from the renal stones clinic in Southampton, UK, were analysed for 31 trace elements using ICP-MS and for zinc using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Non-parametric 0.95 coverage intervals were determined for trace element excretion per 24 h and as a ratio to creatinine, for the full study cohort and separately for men ( n = 77) and women ( n = 34).

Results

Beryllium was undetectable in 95% of samples, bismuth in 87% and uranium in 75%. In comparison with published ranges, reference intervals for this cohort were higher for molybdenum, tin and vanadium, and for arsenic due to inclusion of fish arsenicals. Aluminium, chromium, iron, lead and mercury were lower. In our cohort, 24-h excretion of 17 elements was significantly higher in men than in women. However, when expressed as trace element to creatinine ratios, the situation reversed strikingly. Because of their lower creatinine excretion, ratios for 18 elements were significantly higher for women.

Conclusions

New adult reference intervals were obtained for 24-h urine trace element excretion. Trace element:creatinine ratios must be used cautiously, with separate ranges for men and women.