Smoking is associated with altered serum and hair essential metal and metalloid levels in women

Association of Zinc Intake, Tobacco Smoke Exposure, With Metabolic Syndrome: Evidence from NHANES 2007-2018

The objective was to explore the effect modification of zinc (Zn) intake levels on the relationship of tobacco smoke exposure and risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children and adolescents. We used data from 2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 3701). MetS was considered as main endpoint. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models showed that high cotinine level (≥ 0.05 ng/mL) was associated with increased odds of MetS [odds ratio = 1.54, 95% confidence interval: 1.01, 2.36], and the association between Zn intake levels and MetS did not demonstrate statistical significance. Importantly, the multiplicative interaction term between low Zn intake (≤ 4.89 mg/1000 kcal) and high cotinine level was related to higher odds of MetS (p-value for interaction 0.018). For the group with low Zn intake, high cotinine level was associated with increased odds of MetS. However, there was no significant relationship between cotinine levels and MetS risk in the group with high Zn intake. The effect modification by Zn intake on the relationship of tobacco smoke exposure and risk of MetS is significant in individuals who had a sedentary time of ≥ 6 h, identified as non-Hispanic White, or resided in households with smokers. In short, low Zn intake may potentiate the association of tobacco smoke exposure and MetS risk in children and adolescents.

Trace elements in hair or fingernail and gastroesophageal cancers: results from a population-based case-control study

BACKGROUND

Growing evidence suggests that environmental factors probably play important roles in the development of gastroesophageal cancers (GOC), however, the effects of trace elements on GOC remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of trace elements on GOC and the effect modification by other factors.

METHODS

Hair and fingernail samples were collected from GOC cases and controls in a population-based case-control study in Taixing, China, and were used to detect the concentrations of 12 trace elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for concentrations of 12 trace elements in association with GOC after adjusting the other factors.

RESULTS

A total of 830 hair samples (581 controls and 249 cases) and 895 fingernail samples (559 controls and 336 cases) were included. Compared to the lowest-tertile concentration, the higher tertiles of Ca, Zn, Fe, Al, Cr, Pb, Se, and V were positively associated with GOC, while the higher tertiles of Mg, Mn, Sr, and As were inversely associated with GOC. Significant interactions between the hair level of Cr and two other risk factors, including smoking (P for interaction = 0.044) and alcohol drinking (P for interaction = 0.028), were observed in association with GOC.

SIGNIFICANCE

The current study reveals that these 12 trace elements in hair and fingernails are associated with GOC to varying degrees. Further studies and animal experiments are needed to clarify the associations and explore potential mechanisms.

IMPACT STATEMENT

The role of trace elements in the development or inhibition of gastroesophageal cancers (GOC) remains unclear. In this study, we further explored the associations between 12 trace elements and GOC based on a population-based case-control study conducted in Taixing, China. Higher levels of Ca, Zn, Fe, Al, Cr, Pb, Se, and V were positively associated with increased GOC, while inverse associations between higher levels of Mg, Mn, Sr, As, and GOC were observed. Observed associations were consistent in hair and fingernail samples. Moreover, interaction effects between hair level of Cr and smoking or alcohol drinking were identified.

The Diagnostic Value of Trace Metal Concentrations in Hair in Carotid Artery Disease

Several studies showed the role of trace elements in the increase in human susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases. Carotid artery stenosis is a leading cause of ischemic neurological events. We aimed to analyze the potential role of trace elements in hair as biomarkers of atherosclerotic carotid artery disease. Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven (n = 31 (54%) men and n = 26 (46%) women) individuals with a mean age of 67.7 ± 7.7 years who were white, European, non-Hispanic, and non-Latino were diagnosed and treated in hypertensiology/internal medicine and surgical departments over three consecutive months. Of these patients, forty were diagnosed with advanced carotid artery disease, and seventeen comprised a group of healthy controls. Inflammatory and oncological diseases were exclusion criteria. Hair samples were collected, and 14 trace elements were analyzed. Clinical and laboratory data were compared and revealed differences in the co-existence of diabetes (p = 0.036) and smoking history (p = 0.041). In the multivariable analysis, zinc, chrome, and copper revealed predictive value for the occurrence of carotid artery disease, and their combined receiver operating curve showed area under the curve of 0.935, with a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 82.4%. Conclusion: Our report shows the significance of trace elements analyses in patients with advanced carotid artery disease. We revealed that zinc, copper, and chrome concentrations are of particular importance in differentiating atherosclerotic disease and may serve as biomarkers of carotid atherosclerosis. Hair samples represent an easily obtained and beneficial biomatrix for the assessment of biomarkers.

Serum heavy metals and breast cancer risk: A case-control study nested in the Florence cohort of the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition) study

BACKGROUND

Chronic exposure to heavy metals is of concern for its potential carcinogenic effect. An association with increased breast cancer (BC) risk was hypothesized, but literature data are conflicting and the question remains unresolved. We aimed to investigate the association between heavy metals and BC risk in a case-control study nested within the Florence section of the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition) cohort.

METHODS

We included 150 BC cases and an equal number of controls individually matched to cases by age and year of enrolment. In order to avoid confounding by smoking, the study was restricted to never smokers. Serum levels of six heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Pb, and Tl) were quantified in pre-diagnostic samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated via multivariable conditional logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Serum levels of cobalt were inversely associated with BC risk (OR for the comparison of 3rd vs. 1st tertiles: 0.33, 95 % CI 0.12-0.91, p-value 0.033). None of the other heavy metals under study was significantly associated with BC risk in multivariable models. For Cd, Cr, and Tl, over half of the study participants had serum levels below the limit of quantitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results do not support the hypothesis that exposure to heavy metals is associated with an increased BC risk among never smokers from the general population. The inverse association between cobalt serum levels and BC risk requires confirmation in future studies.

Potentially toxic elements in human scalp hair around China's largest polymetallic rare earth ore mining and smelting area

There is a growing concern about human health of residents living in areas where mining and smelting occur. In order to understand the exposure to the potentially toxic elements (PTEs), we here identify and examine the cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in scalp hair of residents living in the mining area (Bayan Obo, n = 76), smelting area (Baotou, n = 57) and a reference area (Hohhot, n = 61). In total, 194 hair samples were collected from the volunteers (men = 87, women = 107) aged 5-77 years old in the three areas. Comparing median PTEs levels between the young and adults, Ni levels were significantly higher in adults living in the smelting area while Cr was highest in adults from the mining area, no significant difference was found for any of the elements in the reference area. From the linear regression model, no significant relationship between PTEs concentration, log₁₀(PTEs), and age was found. The concentrations of Ni, Cd, and Pb in hair were significantly lower in the reference area when compared to both mining and smelting areas. In addition, Cu was significantly higher in the mining area when compared to the smelting area. Factor analysis (FA) indicated that men and women from the smelting area (Baotou) and mining area (Bayan Obo), respectively, had different underlying communality of log10(PTEs), suggesting different sources of these PTEs. Multiple factor analysis quantilized the importance of gender and location when combined with PTEs levels in human hair. The results of this study indicate that people living in mining and/or smelting areas have significantly higher PTEs (Cu, Ni, Cd, and Pb) hair levels compared to reference areas, which may cause adverse health effects. Remediation should therefore be implemented to improve the health of local residents in the mining and smelting areas.

Zinc in Prostate Health and Disease: A Mini Review

Introduction-With the high global prevalence of prostate cancer and associated mortalities, it is important to enhance current clinical practices for better prostate cancer outcomes. The current review is towards understanding the value of Zn towards this mission. Method-General information on Zn in biology and multiple aspects of Zn involvement in prostate health and disease were referred to in PubMed. Results-The most influential feature of Zn towards prostate health is its ability to retain sufficient citrate levels for a healthy prostate. Zn deficiencies were recorded in serum, hair, and prostate tissue of men with prostate cancer compared to non-cancer controls. Zn gut absorption, albumin binding, and storage compete with various factors. There are multiple associations of Zn cellular influx and efflux transporters, Zn finger proteins, matrix metalloproteinases, and Zn signaling with prostate cancer outcomes. Such Zn marker variations associated with prostate cancer recorded from biological matrices may improve algorithms for prostate cancer screening, prognosis, and management when coupled with standard clinical practices. Discussion-The influence of Zn in prostatic health and disease is multidimensional, therefore more personalized Zn requirements may be beneficial. Several opportunities exist to utilize and improve understanding of Zn associations with prostate health and disease.