Trace metal concentrations are higher in cartilage than in bones of scaup and pochard wintering in Poland

Lead exposure is related to higher infection rate with the gapeworm in Norwegian house sparrows (Passer domesticus)

Anthropogenic pollution is identified as an important threat to bird and other wildlife populations. Many metals and toxic elements, along with poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are known to induce immunomodulation and have previously been linked to increased pathogen prevalence and infectious disease severity. In this study, the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) was investigated at the coast of Helgeland in northern Norway. This population is commonly infected with the parasitic nematode "gapeworm" (Syngamus trachea), with a prevalence of 40-60 % during summer months. Gapeworm induces severe respiratory disease in birds and has been previously demonstrated to decrease survival and reproductive success in wild house sparrows. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a higher exposure to pollution with PFASs, metals and other elements influences gapeworm infection in wild house sparrows. We conducted PFASs and elemental analysis on whole blood from 52 house sparrows from Helgeland, including analyses of highly toxic metals such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As). In addition, we studied gapeworm infection load by counting the parasite eggs in faeces from each individual. We also studied the expression of microRNA 155 (miR155) as a key regulator in the immune system. Elevated blood concentrations of Pb were found to be associated with an increased prevalence of gapeworm infection in the house sparrow. The expression of miR155 in the plasma of the house sparrow was only weakly associated with Pb. In contrast, we found relatively low PFASs concentrations in the house sparrow blood (∑ PFASs 0.00048-354 μg/L) and PFASs were not associated to miR155 nor infection rate. The current study highlights the potential threat posed by Pb as an immunotoxic pollutant in small songbirds.

Sources of exposure to lead in Arctic and subarctic regions: a scoping review

Understanding lead exposure pathways is a priority because of its ubiquitous presence in the environment as well as the potential health risks. We aimed to identify potential lead sources and pathways of lead exposure, including long-range transport, and the magnitude of exposure in Arctic and subarctic communities. A scoping review strategy and screening approach was used to search literature from January 2000 to December 2020. A total of 228 academic and grey literature references were synthesised. The majority of these studies (54%) were from Canada. Indigenous people in Arctic and subarctic communities in Canada had higher levels of lead than the rest of Canada. The majority of studies in all Arctic countries reported at least some individuals above the level of concern. Lead levels were influenced by a number of factors including using lead ammunition to harvest traditional food and living in close proximity to mines. Lead levels in water, soil, and sediment were generally low. Literature showed the possibility of long-range transport via migratory birds. Household lead sources included lead-based paint, dust, or tap water. This literature review will help to inform management strategies for communities, researchers, and governments, with the aim of decreasing lead exposure in northern regions.

Sentinel animals for monitoring the environmental lead exposure: combination of traditional review and visualization analysis

In nature, certain animals share a common living environment with humans, thus these animals have become biomonitors of health effects related to various environmental exposures. As one of the most toxic environmental chemicals, lead (Pb) can cause detriment health effects to animals, plants, and even humans through different exposure pathways such as atmosphere, soil, food, water, and dust, etc. Sentinel animals played an "indicative" role in the researches of environmental pollution monitoring and human health. In order to comprehend the usage of sentinel animals in the indication of environmental Pb pollution and human Pb exposure completely, a combination of traditional review and visualization analysis based on CiteSpace literature was used to review earlier researches in this study. In the first instance, present researches on exposure sources and exposure pathways of Pb were summarized briefly, and then the studies using sentinel animals to monitor environmental heavy metal pollution and human health were combed. Finally, visualization software CiteSpace 5.8.R3 was used to explore and analyze the hotspots and frontiers of lead exposure and sentinel animals researches at home and abroad. The results showed that certain mammals were good indicators for human lead exposure. Sentinel animals had been widely used to monitor the ecological environment and human lead exposure. Among them, the blood lead levels of small mammals, particularly for domestic dogs and cats, had a significant correlation with the blood lead levels of human living in the same environment. It indicated that certain biological indicators in animals can be used as surrogates to monitor human body exposure to heavy metals. This study also explored the challenges and perspectives that may be faced in sentinel animal research, in order to provide a certain theoretical basis and train of thought guidance for future research.

Heavy metals in liver, kidney, brain, and muscle slender-billed gull (Chroicocephalus genei) from south-eastern Iran

The concentrations of four heavy metals nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were determined in liver, kidney, muscle, and brain tissues of 40 slender-billed gulls (Chroicocephalus genei) from the Chahnimeh water reservoirs of Sistan and the Oman Sea coast of Iran. There were significant differences between Ni, Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations observed in the liver and brains of birds from the Oman Sea coast than in the liver and brains of gulls from the Chahnimeh water reservoirs (P < 0.05). Higher levels of Pb, Cd, and Zn were found in the brain and liver of gulls than in the kidney and muscles tissues. There were significant gender differences in heavy metals in liver and brain tissue. In gulls from the coast of Oman Sea, all four elements (Cd, Pb, Ni, and Zn) were positively correlated with levels in all organs, and except for muscle, the elements were positively correlated with the other elements in the other tissues (except Ni in the brain). Thus, the pathways and sources of entry for the elements are similar, and the pathways for accumulation of these elements, and the reactions of different organs of the body to these elements, are very similar. Also, 40% of gulls in Oman Sea coast had levels of lead in the brain (>5 μg g^{-1 -1} d.w) that were above the adverse effect levels, Ni concentrations in the liver of slender-billed gull in Oman Sea coast (100 %) and Chahnimeh water reservoirs (90 %) were above toxic levels (> 3 μg g^-1 d.w), and 80% of Ni concentration in kidneys in gulls from the Oman Sea coast and Chahnimeh water reservoirs were higher than the toxicity levels (> 10 μg g^-1 d.w).

Cadmium Toxicity on Chondrocytes and the Palliative Effects of 1α, 25-Dihydroxy Vitamin D3 in White Leghorns Chicken's Embryo

Cadmium (Cd) can causes osteoporosis and joint swelling. However, the mechanism of Cd toxicity in chondrocytes and how to alleviate Cd poisoning to chondrocytes are still unclear. Herein, we evaluated the toxicity of Cd to chicken chondrocytes, and whether vitamin D can relieve the toxicity of Cd to chondrocytes. Primary chondrocytes were collected from knee-joint cartilage of 15-day-old chicken embryos. They were treated with (0, 1, 2, and 4) μM Cd alone, 10^-8 M 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃ alone, or 2 μM Cd combined with 10^-8 M 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃. We found that Cd significantly inhibited Sox9 and ACAN mRNA expression, which are markers for chondrocyte differentiation, downregulated the mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulated the Bax/B-cell lymphoma 2 ratio. Furthermore, Cd significantly promoted matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression, thus accelerating the degradation of extracellular matrix. And Cd also inhibited the expression of main macromolecular protein of extracellular matrix, Collagen type IIα1 (COL2A1) and acid mucopolysaccharide. However, 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃ pretreatment significantly alleviated the toxicity effects of Cd on the differentiation, apoptosis and extracellular matrix gene expression in primary chondrocytes. Conclusively, Cd exposure could inhibited chicken embryo chondrocytes differentiation, extracellular matrix gene expression, and induced chondrocyte apoptosis. However, these toxic effects of Cd are alleviated by the pretreatment of chondrocytes with 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃.

Engineered Fe(OH)3 nanoparticle-coated and rhBMP-2-releasing PLGA microsphere scaffolds for promoting bone regeneration by facilitating cell homing and osteogenic differentiation

Iron facilitates cell homing and enhances the capacity of rhBMP-2.

Ultrasonographic measurement of the femoral cartilage thickness in patients with occupational lead exposure

The objective of the present study is to compare distal femoral cartilage thicknesses of patients with occupational lead exposure with those of healthy subjects by using ultrasonography. A total of 48 male workers (a mean age of 34.8±6.8 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 25.8±3.1 kg/m(2)) with a likely history of occupational lead exposure and age- and BMI-matched healthy male subjects were enrolled. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, that is, age, weight, height, occupation, estimated duration of lead exposure, and smoking habits were recorded. Femoral cartilage thickness was assessed from the midpoints of right medial condyle (RMC), right lateral condyle (RLC), right intercondylar area (RIA), left medial condyle (LMC), left lateral condyle (LLC), and left intercondylar area (LIA) by using ultrasonography. Although the workers had higher femoral cartilage thickness values at all measurement sites when compared with those of the control subjects, the difference reached statistical significance at RLC (P=0.010), LMC (P=0.001), and LIA (P=0.039). There were no correlations between clinical parameters and cartilage-thickness values of the workers. Subjects with a history of lead exposure had higher femoral cartilage thickness as compared with the healthy subjects. Further studies, including histological evaluations, are awaited to clarify the clinical relevance of this increase in cartilage thickness and to explore the long-term follow-up especially with respect to osteoarthritis development.

Oxidative stress and imbalance of mineral metabolism contribute to lameness in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to investigate correlations between oxidative stress, metabolism of mineral elements, and lameness in dairy cows. Forty multiparous Chinese Holstein dairy cows were selected and divided into two groups (healthy vs lame, n = 20) by gait score. The experiment lasted for 60 days and samples of hair, blood, and hoof were collected at days 0, 30, and 60 of experiment period, individually. Compared with healthy cows, elevation of MDA, CTX-II, COMP levels, and GSSG/GSH ratio together with depletion of SOD and MT levels in the serum were revealed in lame cows. Simultaneously, significant decreased contents of Zn, Cu, and Mn in the serum, hair, and hoof samples were shown in lame cows, but there was no obvious difference in contents of P, Mg, and Ca (except hoof Ca) in the serum, hair, and hoof between healthy and lame cows. In addition, histological examination and the hardness test demonstrated a poor hoof quality in lame cows. In summary, oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of lameness caused by imbalance of nutrients (especially selective minerals promoting healthy hoof growth) in dairy cows.

Cadmium concentrations and their implications in Mallard and Coot from fish pond areas

During the studies in 2003, high concentrations of cadmium (Cd) were noted among Mallards and Coots in Poland. Further research, five years later, showed the histopathological alterations in birds from the same area which were probably stimulated by Cd. This paper presents the analysis of Cd in ten different materials collected from these species (n=180) in years 2006-2009 in two areas, including southern - Zator and western Poland - Milicz. Similarly high concentrations to those from 2003 were noted only in kidneys of Mallards from the Zator area (up to 56.49 μg g(-1) d.w.). Other comparable materials accumulated significantly lower concentration of Cd. Generally, lower concentrations occurred in birds from Milicz. Concentrations varied also between species and age groups. They correlated between liver and kidneys, brain and muscle and brain and spleen. Potential in vivo bioindicators (blood, feathers and excrements) did not seem to be useful as biomarkers in both areas.

Comparison of bone tissue trace-element concentrations and mineral density in osteoporotic femoral neck fractures and osteoarthritis

Purpose

This study examined the role of trace elements in osteoporosis by comparing the trace-element concentrations in bone and the radiographic bone density and bone mineral density (BMD) of patients with osteoporotic femur fractures and osteoarthritis.

Patients and methods

The study enrolled 30 patients operated on for proximal femoral fractures after falls, and another 30 patients undergoing hip arthroplasty at the same center for hip osteoarthritis. Bone samples were obtained during the surgical procedures. The density of the bone samples was assessed using computed tomography and the Hounsfield scale. The levels of Ca(II), Mg(II), and other trace elements in the bone samples were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In addition, BMD, Z-scores, and T-scores were measured in the unaffected hips of all patients using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results

Magnesium (1,908±507 versus 2,540±435, P<0.05), calcium (10.4±3.5 versus 13.9±3.7, P<0.05), and zinc (2,342±1,252 versus 3,145±1,604, P<0.05) μg g⁻¹, levels were significantly lower in the bone samples in the fracture group. The groups did not differ in the other biochemical parameters. All dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry findings were significantly worse in the fracture group than in the osteoarthritis group. However, the groups did not differ in femoral neck density assessed radiologically using the Hounsfield scale. The following parameters were negatively correlated with age: magnesium, r=−0.436, P<0.001; calcium, r=−0.331, P=0.01; T-score, r=−0.381, P=0.003; Z-score, r=−0.267, P=0.043; and BMD, r=−0.365, P=0.004.

Conclusion

Ca(II), Mg(II), and Zn(II) appear to play important roles in bone breakdown/synthesis. Further studies of the roles of trace elements in the etiology and treatment of osteoporosis are warranted. We found decreased bone levels of Ca, Mg, and Zn in patients with osteoporotic fractures compared to subjects with osteoarthritis.

The concentration of manganese, iron, and strontium in hip joint bone obtained from patients undergoing hip replacement surgery

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and strontium (Sr) in the cartilage with adjacent compact bone and spongy bone collected from patients after total hip replacement surgery. In addition, we examined relations between the concentrations of the metals in the bone and selected environmental factors. The concentration of Fe was the highest while Mn concentration was the lowest. The concentrations of Fe in the spongy bone in patients from larger cities were higher than in those living in smaller towns and villages. Significant correlations were found between Fe and Mn concentrations in the cartilage with adjacent compact bone and in the spongy bone, and between Mn and Sr in the spongy bone. In general, Mn, Fe and Sr concentrations in the bones of patients from NW Poland were lower than in other Polish regions and Europe, especially in industrialized countries. In conclusion, it seems that in addition to routine monitoring of the abiotic environment, it is essential to monitor concentrations of heavy metals having a long-term impact in humans.

Tissue distribution of metals in white-fronted geese and spot-billed ducks from Korea

This study presents concentrations of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb and Cd in livers, kidneys, muscles and bones of white-fronted geese Anser albifrons (geese) and spot-billed ducks Anas poecilorhyncha (ducks). Iron in livers, kidneys and muscles, Zn in muscles, Mn and Cd in every tissue, Cu in livers, muscles and bones and Pb in bones differed between species, and there were significant differences among tissues in both species. Essential elements such as Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu concentrations were within the background levels. Lead concentrations in livers of 7 of 14 geese and 7 of 19 ducks and in bones of 4 of 19 ducks exceeded background concentrations for waterfowl (5 μg/g dw for the liver, 10 μg/g dw for the bone). Almost all samples of both species had the background Cd concentrations in the liver (33 of 33 geese and ducks) and kidney (14 geese and 18 ducks). Tissue concentrations of Cd were greater in geese than ducks. In contrast, tissue concentrations of Pb in bones were greater in ducks than in geese. These different trends for Cd and Pb reflect a short and/or long term difference in exposure and degree of accumulation of these metals.

Levels of metals in blood samples from Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) from urban areas in Poland

In this paper we present the studies conducted on blood samples taken from Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). Birds were captured for ringing purposes (n = 43) in two small and two big towns (including highly urbanized areas). For comparison samples of blood from birds shot on fish ponds were used (n = 26). Based on the body mass all sampled individuals can be assessed as being in good condition. Levels of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in blood samples were measured with AAS. Concentrations of metals did not differ statistically between sexes and made up a following order: Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr ≈ Ni > Pb > Cd. Mallards from towns revealed lower concentrations of Zn and Cu but higher concentration of Fe. There was no difference in exposition to Pb between birds from towns and fish ponds.

Comparison of metal concentrations in bones of long-living mammals

The aim of this study was to compare zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, and mercury concentrations in the bones of long-living mammals-humans (Homo sapiens) and Canidae (dogs Canis familiaris and foxes Vulpes vulpes) from northwestern Poland and to determine the usefulness of Canidae as bioindicators of environmental exposure to metals in humans. Zinc concentrations in cartilage with adjacent compact bone and in spongy bone were highest in foxes (∼120 mg/kg dry weight (dw)) and lowest in dogs (80 mg/kg dw). Copper concentrations in cartilage with adjacent compact bone were greatest in foxes (1.17 mg/kg dw) and smallest in humans (∼0.8 mg/kg dw), while in spongy bone they were greatest in dogs (0.76 mg/kg dw) and lowest in foxes (0.45 mg/kg dw). Lead concentrations in both analyzed materials were highest in dogs (>3 mg/kg dw) and lowest in humans (>0.6 mg/kg dw). Cadmium concentration, also in both the analyzed materials, were highest in foxes (>0.15 mg/kg dw) and lowest in humans (>0.04 mg/kg dw). Mercury concentration in bones was low and did not exceed 0.004 mg/kg dw in all the examined species. The concentrations of essential metals in the bones of the examined long-living mammals were similar. The different concentrations of toxic metals were due to environmental factors. As bone tissues are used in the assessment of the long-term effects of environmental exposure to heavy metals on the human body, ecotoxicological studies on the bones of domesticated and wild long-living mammals, including Canidae, may constitute a significant supplement to this research.

Essential and nonessential elements in nestling rooks Corvus frugilegus from eastern Poland with a special emphasis on their high cadmium contamination

Concentration of minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium [Ca], magnesium, iron [Fe], copper, zinc [Zn], manganese [Mn], and cobalt) as well as toxic metals (cadmium [Cd], lead [Pb]) were determined in five tissues (liver, lung, kidney, muscle, and bone) of nestling rooks (Corvus frugilegus; 1 to 13 days old) found dead in seven breeding colonies in eastern Poland. Cd concentration in all analyzed tissues was in the narrow range of 17.0-17.2 mg/kg dry weight (dw) Cd, which in the light of the literature data indicates acute contamination by this toxic metal. Similarly, we found increased levels of Pb, which in all tissues ranged between 5.0 and 6.2 mg/kg dw. Results of multivariate general linear model (GLM) testing of the effect of three variables (tissue type, colony, and nestling age) on tissue concentrations of various metals showed significance for Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn. Only concentrations of Ca, Fe, and Zn differed significantly between the analyzed tissues. GLM analysis did not show any statistically significant differences in tissue levels of minerals and both toxic metals among examined rookeries, which indicates the widespread presence of nonpoint Cd and Pb pollution linked to agricultural activity and similar levels of these inorganic contaminants on crop fields (feeding grounds) around breeding colonies. We concluded that high levels of both toxic metals, Cd and Pb, probably resulting from the diet of nestling rooks, are based mainly on a diet of ground-dwelling beetles gathered on crop fields.

Trace metals and micronutrients in bone tissues of the red fox Vulpes vulpes (L., 1758)

In this study we determined the levels of trace elements (zinc, copper, lead, cadmium and mercury) in three layers of bones of the hip joint (cartilage, compact bone and spongy bone) of 30 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from north-western Poland. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (ICP-AES) in inductively coupled argon plasma using a Perkin-Elmer Optima 2000 DV. Determination of Hg concentration was performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. In cartilage, compact bone and spongy bone samples from the red fox, median concentrations of the metals studied could be arranged in the following descending series: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd > Hg, the values ranging from 142 to 0.002 mg/kg dw. There was a significant difference in Cu concentrations, among all the materials analyzed, with much more Cu found in spongy bone than in compact bone. Significant differences were also noted in the case of Hg concentrations in cartilage with compact bone and the spongy bone, and between concentrations of this metal in compact bone and spongy bone. In males, the concentration of Hg in spongy bone was greater than in females. Younger foxes had a higher concentration of this metal in cartilage than adults. The strongest synergistic relationships were observed in spongy bone between the Zn and Cu, Zn and Cd, as well as between Cu and Cd. Statistically significant antagonistic relationships were detected between zinc and lead in compact bone. In addition to monitoring studies conducted on the abiotic environment, an urgent need exists for long-term monitoring of concentrations of heavy metals with long-term effects on living organisms. An important addition is provided by biomonitoring studies on domesticated and free-living mammals, including Canidae.

Evaluation of dog bones in the indirect assessment of environmental contamination with trace elements

The aim of this paper was to determine the level of five elements, two essential for life [zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu)] and three distinctly toxic [lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg)], in four types of biological material in bones of the dog Canis lupus familiaris. The experiment was carried out on bones from the hip joints of dogs. The samples of cartilage, compact bone, spongy bone, and cartilage with adjacent compact bone came from 26 domestic dogs from northwestern Poland. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd were determined by ICP-AES (atomic absorption spectrophotometry) in inductively coupled argon plasma, using a Perkin-Elmer Optima 2000 DV. Determination of Hg concentration was performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. In the examined bone material from the dog, the greatest concentrations (median) were observed for Zn and the lowest for Hg (98 mg Zn/kg and 0.0015 mg Hg/kg dw, respectively). In cartilage and spongy bone, metal concentrations could be arranged in the following descending order: Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd > Hg. In compact bone, the order was slightly different: Zn > Pb > Cd > Cu > Hg (from median 70 mg/kg dw to 0.002 mg/kg dw). The comparisons of metal concentrations between the examined bone materials showed distinct differences only in relation to Hg: between concentrations in spongy bone, compact bone, and in cartilage, being greater in cartilage than in compact bone, and lower again in spongy bone.