Trace element contents in serum of healthy elderly population of metropolitan São Paulo area in Brazil

Serum Selenium Status and Its Interrelationship with Serum Biomarkers of Thyroid Function and Antioxidant Defense in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Selenium (Se) deficiency has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), although the available evidence is limited. The present study aimed to explore the interrelationships between serum Se status with measures of thyroid function and antioxidant defense in new cases of HT patients with hypoechogenic thyroid. HT patients (n = 49) and matched controls (n = 50) were recruited. Selenium, thyroid hormone panel, thyroid volume (TVol), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase3 (GPx3) activity, urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and urinary creatinine (Cr) were assessed. HT patients exhibited lower Se levels compared to controls (p < 0.001) with the rates of Se-deficient (<0.85 µmol/L) participants being 58.8% and 34%, respectively. Se-deficient patients exhibited higher thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Thyroid volume (TVol), thyroglobulin, antibody-titers, GPx3 activity and UIC/Cr compared to Se-sufficient patients (all p < 0.001). In the Se-deficient patients, inverse correlations were seen between Se-levels with TSH, TVol, and Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) (all p < 0.001). This study is the first to uncover that coexisting Se-deficiency and elevated iodine in HT may enhance autoimmune reactions and accelerate the deterioration of thyroid function through oxidative stress. Our study also highlights the importance of optimal Se status in this disease, thus providing a rationale for the execution of intervention trials for the evaluation of the clinical benefits of antioxidant-status improvement in HT.

Pilot study of homeostatic alterations of mineral elements in serum of patients with age-related macular degeneration via elemental and isotopic analysis using ICP-mass spectrometry

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the main cause of irreversible blindness in people over 60 years of age, is an eye disease that evolves with loss of central vision. Although AMD manifests itself in the eye, blood is continuously flowing through the macular region, such that potential alterations in this region could be reflected in the composition of whole blood or plasma/serum. Therefore, the potential clinical relevance of analysis of serum samples was assessed because of the low degree of invasiveness of blood sampling. 40 initial samples (20 from controls and 20 from patients with the dry form of AMD) have been analysed in this work to investigate the possible occurrence of homeostatic alterations of essential mineral elements caused by the disease. Both major (Na, Mg, P and K) and trace (Fe, Cu and Zn) essential mineral elements were determined in blood serum using single-collector ICP-mass spectrometry. Also, the isotopic composition of Cu (an element proposed to be directly involved in the onset of AMD) was determined using multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry. Unexpected light Cu isotopic compositions in three individuals assumed as controls, resulted in a re-evaluation of their clinical information and a later exclusion due to pathologies initially not accounted for. In this pilot study, a significant alteration in the δ⁶⁵Cu value has been found between the two final cohorts (AMD patients: n = 20; controls n = 17), with lower δ⁶⁵Cu values (i.e. an enrichment in the light ⁶³Cu isotope) in the case of AMD. Also, higher serum concentrations of the elements P and Zn were established in AMD at a systemic level.

Serum selenium and selenoprotein-P levels in autoimmune thyroid diseases patients in a select center: a transversal study

OBJECTIVE

Selenium (Se) supplementation has been used to help prevent the progression of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) and autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) patients. We investigated Se serum and selenoprotein P (SePP) levels in Graves' disease (GD) with and without GO, Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) patients and in 27 control individuals (C).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We studied 54 female and 19 male patients: 19 with GD without GO, 21 GD with GO, 14 with HT and 19 with HT+LT4. Se values were measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum SePP levels were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

Median Se levels were similar among all groups; GD patients: 54.2 (46.5-61.1 μg/L), GO: 53.6 (43.5-60.0 μg/L), HT: 51.9 (44.6-58.5 μg/L), HT+LT4 54.4 (44-63.4) and C group patients: 56.0 (52.4-61.5 μg/L); P = 0.48. However, serum SePP was lower in GO patients: 0.30 (0.15-1.05 μg/mL) and in HT patients: 0.35 (0.2-1.17 μg/mL) compared to C group patients: 1.00 (0.564.21 μg/mL) as well as to GD patients: 1.19 (0.62-2.5 μg/mL) and HT+LT4 patients: 0.7 (0,25-1.95); P = 0.002. Linear regression analysis showed a significant relationship between SePP and TPOAb values (r = 0.445, R2 = 0.293; P < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis found no independent variables related to Se or SePP.

CONCLUSION

A serum Se concentration was lower than in some other countries, but not significantly among AITD patients. The low serum SePP levels in GO and HT patients seems to express inflammatory reactions with a subsequent increase in Se-dependent protein consumption remains unclear.

Quality means decency-on the quality of teaching through accreditation of the course?

The term "accreditation" applies to the attempts in various fields of scientific work and administration. It refers to an acknowledgement of some particular positive (wanted) property being present in or brought about by either a procedure or technical system, an acknowledgement which is then formally issued by some authority generally accepted to be able to prove and file such statements. Bioindication & Biomonitoring (B&B) technologies are highly influenced by accreditation procedures, because both B&B technologies are often related to accreditation during the overall instrumental measurement processes applied. As an example, tuna fish used for (bio) monitoring salt water systems on pollution by Pb will be presented. Analytical measurement results from the International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP 20) and additionally the construction of the university course "Integrative sustainable management: quality, environmental, health, safety and risk management (QUAR)" are reviewed in this respect. It was a serious finding by the multi-participant IMEP study that neither quality control measures nor accreditation actually ensure improved quality of measurement results, i.e. data produced by analytical laboratories. Accordingly, even though the accreditation of study curricula is often done with utmost diligence and precision, and while it is fairly important for making study curricula throughout Europe (and the World) fitting and comparable to each other to get study results produced and tested at university X also be accepted when changing to university Y, we cannot assume or take for granted that the mere protocol of accreditation will do anything positive to improve the chance to get better or "more correct" results. A single member of lab staff or professor changing to some other position might seriously compromise the turnout of some analytical lab or university course at least in the short term regardless of whether accreditation was done or not. As consequence, data obtained by B&B technologies have to be discussed and handled with the highest care to reach acceptable and scientifically sound goals of quality.

Dyshomeostasis of Serum Oxidant/Antioxidant Status and Copper, Zinc, and Selenium Levels in Elderly Physically Disabled Persons: an AHAP-Based Study

The percentage of elderly persons is rapidly growing. Physical disability is one of the main age-related diseases which affect life quality. There are some studies that suggest the oxidative stress and trace elements are involved in physical disability in elderly persons, but the results are inconclusive. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the status of aforementioned parameters in elderly physically disabled patients vs. healthy ones. According to the Katz questionnaire form, 44 subjects with physical disability and 66 age-gender-matched healthy subjects were selected from Amirkola Health and Aging Project (AHAP). The results indicated that patient group had lower serum Zn, Se, and total antioxidant levels than the control group (p < 0.001), whereas serum total oxidant level and Cu to Zn ratio (CZr) were higher in control group than in healthy one (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between Zn, Se, total antioxidant, and bone mineral density of femur (BMD.F) with activities of daily living (ADL) score (p < 0.01); meanwhile, a negative correlation between CZr and total oxidant with ADL score was observed (p < 0.01). Serum total oxidant level and CZr index had the highest area under the curve in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis among the included parameters for discrimination of physically disabled patients than the normal ones. Decrease in serum Zn and Se levels, low BMD, and increase in CZr and oxidative stress were observed in physically disabled patients. It seems that CZr is more reliable parameter than the others to discriminate the physically disabled patients than the healthy persons.

Effect of changes in food groups intake on magnesium, zinc, copper, and selenium serum levels during 2 years of dietary intervention

BACKGROUND

Essential elements in serum are related to specific changes in food groups intake.

OBJECTIVE

To address the effect of 2-year food intake changes in an intervention study on serum concentrations of magnesium, zinc, copper, and selenium.

METHOD

Two hundred thirty-one participants, a subgroup of the Dietary Intervention Randomized Control Trial (DIRECT) study (age = 52 years; body mass index = 32.8 kg/m(2); 85% males) randomized to low-fat, Mediterranean, or low-carbohydrate diets in a 2-year dietary intervention trial were followed for serum concentrations determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Changes in the intake of 11 food groups were evaluated by food frequency questionnaires.

RESULTS

Using multivariate regression models, adjusted for age, sex, baseline body weight (kg), and changes in intakes of 11 food groups (g/d), at 12 months, serum element elevations were observed mainly in the low-carbohydrate group: selenium, by increasing consumption of fats and oils (β = 0.415, p = 0.009) and legumes (β = 0.183, p = 0.010) and decreasing fruit intake (β = -0.438, p = 0.030); copper, by increasing consumption of legumes (β = 0.453, p = 0.018) and dairy products (β = 0.320, p = 0.039); magnesium by increasing fish consumption (β = 0.374, p = 0.042) in the low-carbohydrate group and in the entire study population (β = 0.237, p = 0.016); and zinc exclusively in the low-fat group by decreasing consumption of fats and oils (β = -0.575, p = 0.022). At 24 months, serum elements were elevated mainly in the low-fat diet group, mostly by decreasing intake of snacks, sweets, and cakes: zinc (β = -0.570, p = 0.027), copper (β = -0.649, p = 0.012), and selenium (β = -0.943, p < 0.001). Also in this group, magnesium levels were elevated by increasing vegetable intake (β = 0.395, p = 0.041), copper by increasing fruit intake (β = 0.375, p = 0.025), and selenium by increasing consumption of bread, pasta, and cereals (β = 0.751, p = 0.011). The entire group, further adjusted to assigned diet type, increased selenium (β = 0.294, p = 0.004) and copper (β = 0.220, p = 0.038) by increasing consumption of bread, pasta, and cereals; selenium level was also predicted by decreasing consumption of snacks, sweets, and cakes (β = -0.256, p = 0.014). Introducing energy expenditure, expressed in metabolic equivalents (MET = 1 kcal·kg(-1)·h(-1)), as an additional variable emphasized the negative effect of sweets and cakes on increasing serum concentrations of zinc, copper, and selenium after 24 months (β = -0.549, p = 0.021; β = -0.669, p = 0.012; β = -0.982, p < 0.001, respectively), especially in the low-fat diet group. No significant associations between changes in food groups intake and the 4 elements were found in the Mediterranean diet group.

CONCLUSIONS

During this 2-year intervention, serum concentrations of 4 essential elements were associated with a diversity of food group intake patterns. Comprehensive predictors for elevating zinc, copper, and selenium in serum included decreasing consumption of sweets and cakes while increasing consumption of bread, cereals, and pasta.

Study of selenium intake and disposition in various matrices based on mathematical algorithms derived from pooled biomonitoring data

Biomonitoring is increasingly used to assess exposure to selenium (Se) in the population. However, there is little harmonization among protocols used in the different studies (varying biological matrices, differences in expression of results (concentrations versus amounts, units)). This makes inter-comparison of biomonitoring results across studies difficult. From a public health risk perspective, it also becomes challenging to estimate baseline levels in biological matrices for populations exposed by various sources. The aim of this study was thus to perform a systematic analysis of the relationship between Se intakes and biological concentrations based on published data. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used and led to select 75 published biomonitoring data in humans from an extended review of Se biomonitoring studies. This represents 8 628 individuals who provided biological samples aiming at documenting Se exposure and/or Se concentrations in two or more biological matrices. Mathematical algorithms that relate Se intakes to biological concentrations and establish matrix-to-matrix associations were derived from these pooled biomonitoring data. Logarithmic regressions showed good correlations between Se intakes and whole blood concentrations (R(2)=0.884), plasma concentrations (R(2)=0.863) and urinary excretion rates (R(2)=0.958). Blood and plasma concentrations were also strongly related (R(2)=0.874), as were whole blood concentrations and urinary excretion rates (R(2)=0.953). The interpretation of the log-regression coefficients allowed illustrating Se physiology. Se concentrations in plasma tend to plateau when daily intake exceed 150 μg/d, whereas Se in urine increases rapidly above this threshold. The application of the algorithms to other independent data sets in order to reconstruct past Se intakes confirmed that interpretation of results on the basis of Se in integuments may be misleading if external contamination is not avoided. This approach based on pooled data covered a wide range of exposure and the large number of data integrated increased the level of confidence of results.

Study on some trace element contents in serum and nail samples obtained from Sudanese subjects

This study was performed to investigate trace elements and arsenic contents among Sudanese inhabitants living in the north, east, and west of Sudan. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry was used to determine the contents of Zn and Cu. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine Se in serum samples. It was found that Se and Cu are in the normal range. Zinc showed discrepancies among all studied groups. Acute Zn deficiency was detected in the northern and eastern regions of Sudan. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy was operated in the dynamic reaction cell mode to determine the arsenic content in the nail samples of the northern inhabitants of Sudan. High values of arsenic were found in the northern people compared with the control group. This elevation could be linked to the misuse of insecticides and herbicides which might be associated with the high rate of cancer incidence in this region.

Serum trace elements in elderly frail patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia

Microelements have an important role in many vital enzymatic functions. Their optimal intake and serum concentration are not properly defined. For nursing home residents, this issue is further complicated by the high prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia. The purpose of this study was to measure microelement concentrations in 3 groups of elderly subjects that differ in their feeding methods and functional state. Forty-six frail elderly patients, in stable clinical condition, 15 on naso-gastric tube (NGT) feeding, 15 orally fed (OF), from skilled nursing departments were recruited to this study. As controls, we studied a group of 16 elderly independent ambulatory patients. A battery of 16 microelements was examined using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The OF frail elderly patients had significantly lower levels of chromium as compared to the NGT fed and the control group. Both frail elderly groups had lower levels of zinc and copper as compared to the controls. In contrast, in the nursing groups, we found higher levels of aluminum, boron, barium, bromine and nickel. Elderly, in particular frail and disabled subjects, are vulnerable to insufficiency or overload of microelements. There is a need to evaluate the actual requirements for each microelement for this population.