Cadmium and lead implication in testis cancer; is there a connection?

Testis cancer (TC) is the most common malignancy of young men. Current evidence from studies, alongside genetics and hormonal status, suggests a significant role of toxic metals, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), in the origin and development of TC. Besides oxidative stress and endocrine disruption, interaction with bioelements is one of the critical mechanisms of Cd and Pb toxicity and malign transformation. This study aimed to investigate metal levels in blood, healthy, and tumor testis tissue and to reveal hormone, oxidative status, and bioelements levels in patients with TC. The study enrolled 52 patients with TC and 61 healthy volunteers. Toxic metals and bioelements levels were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) while electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and spectrophotometry methods were used for hormone and oxidative parameters evaluation. Significantly higher blood Cd levels were depicted in TC cohort. Furthermore, blood Cd elevation was associated with a 1.98 higher probability of TC developing. However, a metal concentration between healthy and tumor testis tissue did not differ significantly. Lower levels of estradiol and testosterone, established in a cohort of TC patients, followed the significant role of hormones in TC development. At the same time, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) has been recognized as a parameter with very good accuracy as a potential diagnostic marker for TC. The study revealed different distribution patterns of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the three compartments of the patients, as well significant correlation between essential metals Cu/Zn and toxic metals Cd/Pb indicating metal-metal interactions as pivotal mechanisms of metals toxicity.

Fluoride subacute testicular toxicity in Wistar rats: Benchmark dose analysis for the redox parameters, essential elements and DNA damage

Excessive fluoride (F^-) levels in the environment could induce different pathological changes, including comorbidities in reproductive functions. Hence, the aim of the present in vivo study was to explore F^- subacute toxicity mechanisms via Benchmark dose (BMD) methodology on rat's testicles. The experiment was conducted on thirty male Wistar rats for 28 days, divided into six groups (n = 5): 1) Control (tap water); 2) 10 mg/L F^-; 3) 25 mg/L F^-; 4) 50 mg/L F^-; 5) 100 mg/L F^-; 6) 150 mg/L F^-. Testicles were dissected out and processed for the determination of F^- tissue concentrations, redox status parameters, essential elements level, and DNA damage. PROASTweb 70.1 software was used for determination of external and internal dose-response relationship. The results confirmed a significant increase in superoxide anion (O₂^.-), total oxidative status (TOS), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), DNA damage levels, and decrease in superoxide dismutase activity (SOD1) and total thiol (SH) groups. The dose-dependent changes were confirmed for SOD1 activity and DNA damage. The most sensitive parameters were SOD1 activity and DNA damage with the lowest BMDLs 0.1 μg F^-/kg b. w. Since human and animal populations are daily and frequently unconsciously exposed to F^-, this dose-response study is valuable for further research regarding the F^- health risk assessment.

The influence of high-fat and high-sucrose feeding regimes on organ weight, body weight, and serum concentration of bioelements in rats

BACKGROUND

Obesity is one of the most common diseases of civilization, and approximately 13 % of the world's adult population is obese. Obesity is defined as excessive accumulation of fat in the human body, which leads to adverse health effects such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease (e.g., nonalcoholic liver disease). The development of obesity is accompanied by changes in the levels of certain bioelements such as copper and zinc. These elements may have an influence on the proper functioning of the central nervous system.

METHOD

Fifty-six male Wistar rats (initial weight 290-300 g) were divided into seven experimental groups. They were fed with different feeding patterns (constant versus intermittent-binge access) and exposed to different diets (high sucrose versus high fat) to analyze the factors that affect the organ weight gain (pancreas, spleen, liver, testes, and kidneys) and total body weight gain. Further, zinc and copper levels in the serum of the animals were determined. The relationship between organ and body weight and serum metal concentration was analyzed by cluster and principal component analyses.

RESULTS

Rats with unlimited access to high fat diet (HF) and restricted intake of high sugar diet (for 2-hours daily-HSB and every second day-IHSB) have elevated body weight in comparison to the control. However, the heaviest organ weights were recorded in the HSB rats compared to the control group (pancreas, 14 %; spleen, 9 %; kidneys, 5 %; and liver, 3 %). On the other hand, an average 20 % decrease in zinc concentration was observed in rats fed with high-fat diet compared to the control. Moreover, an 18 % decrease in copper levels was observed in rats that had periodic access to high-fat diet every 2 h daily and for 2 h every other day compared to the control.

CONCLUSION

Both the high-sucrose and high-fat diets had an influence on body and organ weights. This study demonstrates an association between the different types of diet and the parameters investigated (body and organ weights and concentration of serum bioelements).

Chemometric origin classification of Chinese garlic using sulfur-containing compounds, assisted by stable isotopes and bioelements

Geographical origin discrimination of agro-products is essential to guarantee food safety and fair trade. Garlic samples cultivated in six provinces or major production regions in China were characterized for stable isotopes (δ¹³C, δ²H, δ¹⁸O, δ¹⁵N, and δ³⁴S), bioelemental contents (% C, % N and % S), and sulfur-containing compounds (8 organosulfur components and 2 amino acids). Results showed that many of the 18 analyzed garlic variables had significant differences among production regions. Some sulfur-containing compounds found in garlic from different provinces had a strong correlation with sulfur isotopes, suggesting garlic sulfur isotopes were also affected by geographical origin. Two supervised pattern recognition models (PLS-DA and k-NN) were developed using stable isotopes, elemental contents, and sulfur-containing compounds, and had a discrimination accuracy of 93.4 % and 87.8 %, respectively. Chemometric classification models using multi-isotopes, elements and sulfur-containing compounds provides a useful method to authenticate Chinese garlic origins.

Determining the amount of potentially bioavailable phenolic compounds and bioelements in edible mushroom mycelia of Agaricus bisporus, Cantharellus cibarius, and Lentinula edodes

Release of bioelements and phenolic compounds from edible mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus, Cantharellus cibarius, and Lentinula edodes) enriched with zinc, selenium, l-phenylalanine, alone and as a mixture was examined using a simulated human gastrointestinal digestion method. Due to the extensive amount of data obtained, in order to interpret them more precisely in the work, the methods of chemometric analysis (Cluster Analysis-CA and Principal Compenent Analysis-PCA) were additionally applied. The results showed mycelium of L. edodes has the best health-promoting properties and addition of mixture to the media increased significantly the synthesis of p-hydroxybenzoic and protocatechuic acid (267 and 16.3 mg/100 g d.w.). After extraction into artificial digestive juices, 97.4 mg/100 g d.w. p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 15.6 mg/100 g d.w. of protocatechuic acid were released. The greatest amounts of Se and Zn were extracted from enriched A. bisporus mycelium (32.3 and 342 mg/100 g d.w., respectively). This study confirmed that mycelium might prevent nutritional deficiencies in the diet through use of functional foods.

Complexation of Bioelements and Toxic Metals by Polyphenolic Compounds - Implications for Health

Nowadays, growing interest in the possibility of prophylactic and therapeutic use of plant products rich in biologically active compounds has been observed. Among them, special interest has been focused on polyphenol-rich products. Owing to the multidirectional favourable action of polyphenols, products rich in these compounds are recommended as functional food in the case of civilization diseases. Moreover, data from studies in animal models show that polyphenols may be a promising preventive/therapeutic strategy for xenobiotics, including toxic heavy metals. The protective impact of polyphenols against metal toxicity may be explained by the presence of many hydroxyl groups in the structure of these compounds, which are capable of forming complexes with metals preventing as a result from their gastrointestinal absorption and accelerating their elimination from the body with urine. However, it should be taken into account that polyphenols may bind not only ions of toxic metals, but also bioelements, what makes a risk of their shortage in the organism. This review provides an overview of implications for humans' and animals' health of complexation of bioelements and toxic metals by polyphenols present in the popular foodstuffs, including phenolic acids, cyanidin derivatives, delphinidin, quercetin, kaempferol, morin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and curcumin. Polyphenolic compounds capable of binding both necessary and toxic metals occur in commonly consumed products such as green tea, and some fruit and vegetables, including chokeberries, bilberries, and black currant fruit, grapes, and apples, as well as onion. The mechanisms of complexation of essential and toxic metals by polyphenols and possible implications of these for health are discussed.

Bioaccumulation of selected macro- and microelements and their impact on antioxidant properties and accumulation of glucosinolates and phenolic acids in in vitro cultures of Nasturtium officinale (watercress) microshoots

The study evaluated bioaccumulation capacity of macro- and microelements, their impact on the production of glucosinolates and phenolic acids and antioxidant properties in a microshoot culture model of Nasturtium officinale. Elements: calcium, chromium, copper, iron, lithium, magnesium, selenium and zinc were supplemented in different salt concentrations to culture media. Bioaccumulation of elements [mg/100 gDW] varied from 1.24 (Li,1 mg/l) to 498.62 (Cr,50 mg/l) and was dependent on the type of element and its concentration. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) ranged from 11.37 (Li,25 mg/l) to 4467.00 (Ca,1 mg/l). The total glucosinolate contents [mg/100gDW] varied from 108.11 (Cr,1 mg/l) to 172.90 (Ca,1 mg/l). The presence of four phenolic acids was confirmed in the microshoots. Their total contents [mg/100gDW] ranged from 19.35 (Mg,10 mg/l) to 139.21 (Fe,50 mg/l). The highest antioxidant activity [nM trolox/mgDW], as evaluated by CUPRAC and QUENCHER-CUPRAC methods, was equal to 55.50 (Cu,1 mg/l) and 161.10 (Li,5 mg/l), respectively. The results proved good correlations between all studied parameters.

In search of decoding the syntax of the bioelements in human hair - A critical overview

The principles and practice of assessing the human body nutritional status or its environmental exposure through hair bioelement analysis are presented; herein the term "bioelements" is used as a common denominator for the major elements, trace elements and ultra-trace elements that are found in the human body. The accumulation of bioelements in the hair followed the statistical Power Law and the resulting sigmoid curve can be zoned into five regions in the ascending order of abundance (Low, Marginal, Adequate, High, and Excessive). The Adequate linear region of the bioassay sigmoid curve may be further subdivided into Low adequate, Recommended, and Ample adequate sub regions in a 60:30:10 ratio. Phosphorus was the most invariant bioelement since its hair concentration varies minimally regardless of the geographical place of living, the twenty years' time interval between the analyses, sex, race and instrumentation, i.e., atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) atomic emission spectrometry (AES), and inductively plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS). The osteotrophic (bone seeking) bioelements: Ca, Mg, and Sr, were 2.5 times more abundant in the hair of women than men. Two principal electrolytes of the body (Na, K) of the multi-bioelement hair profile were markedly increased in the depressed subjects diagnosed according to the American Psychiatric Association MSD-IV classification criteria. This increase in the hair Na and K of the depressed subjects was also associated with the decrease of vasopressin in the peripheral blood. The factor analysis revealed strong association of depression with sex (women > men in a 2.5:1 ratio), and with the metals from the Nieboer-Richardson series which form strong covalent bonds with proteins. We propose that the biological roots of depression are related to the non-specific impairment of the intracellular osmotic balance and ionic gradient due to the Na⁺K⁺ATPase failure from whatever cause acting either separately or in combination. We also put forward the idea of how children's autism may be related to a disproportional growth rate of various organs and tissues if children are fed up to their maximal genetic growth capacity. Finally, we have suggested the hypothesis on how the syntax or integration of the internal metabolic wiring of the bioelements in the body may occur. We have suggested the hypothetical existence of two complex distinct five-bioelement "rotors", the P-rotor and the N-rotor, where the P-rotor integrates the mileau interior (Na, K) ions with the perception/excitability (Mg, Ca) ions. Thus, the complex five element interdependence is cross related to P which provides the energy from the phosphorus of the DNA nucleotide backbone. The hair multi-bioelement profile analysis allows us to envisage the more complex structural metabolic features that bioelements are playing in our bodies.

The concentrations of bioelements in the hair samples of Jordanian children who stutter

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates the levels of 15 bioelements (calcium, copper, chromium, sodium, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, cobalt, selenium, molybdenum, vanadium, potassium, boron, and lithium) in the hair species of Jordanian stutterer.

METHODS

The subjects of the study included 25 cases of stuttering, and 25 normal children (age and sex matched). The severity of stuttering (low, moderate, and severe) were assessed using Stuttering Severity Instrument, Fourth edition (SSI-4). Hair samples of subjects were cut, washed, dried, physically degraded, hydrolyzed, and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

RESULTS

Results indicated that the levels of bioelements (Calcium, Copper, Chromium, Magnesium, Manganese, Cobalt, Selenium, Molybdenum, Vanadium, Boron, and Lithium) were significantly lesser in the hair samples of stuttering group than the control group.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the current study could support the use of biochemical analyses as diagnostic biomarker for stuttering.

Anti-inflammatory properties of edible mushrooms: A review

Mushrooms have been used extensively, owing to their nutritional and medicinal value, for thousands of years. Modern research confirms the therapeutic effect of traditionally used species. Inflammation is a natural response of the immune system to damaging factors, e.g. physical, chemical and pathogenic. Deficiencies of antioxidants, vitamins, and microelements, as well as physiological processes, such as aging, can affect the body's ability to resolve inflammation. Mushrooms are rich in anti-inflammatory components, such as polysaccharides, phenolic and indolic compounds, mycosteroids, fatty acids, carotenoids, vitamins, and biometals. Metabolites from mushrooms of the Basidiomycota taxon possess antioxidant, anticancer, and most significantly, anti-inflammatory properties. Recent reports indicate that edible mushroom extracts exhibit favourable therapeutic and health-promoting benefits, particularly in relation to diseases associated with inflammation. In all certainty, edible mushrooms can be referred to as a "superfood" and are recommended as a valuable constituent of the daily diet.

Content of bioelements in the lungs and liver in rats with alimentary obesity

The synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence technique (SRXRF) was applied to the determination of K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, and Sr concentrations in the liver and lungs in Wistar rats. The animals in the experiment included (1) healthy rats, (2) rats with alimentary obesity (AO), and (3) rats with alimentary obesity that were being given zinc sulphate with water for a long time (АО+Zn). Each group was divided into two subgroups. The experiment with the first subgroup was terminated with the animals in the state of physiological hunger and subsequent retrieval of liver and lung tissue, while the animals of the second subgroup were sacrificed two hours after ingestion of lard. The rats in physiological hunger manifested intergroup differences in the content of the bioelements (BEs) neither in the liver nor in the lungs. The rats with AO, as compared with the healthy animals, demonstrated in physiological hunger redistribution of inter-element correlations (IECs), which is an indirect reflection of sustained metabolic disorder. Additional zinc in the rats' ration did not affect their body weight and the concentration of the BEs (including zinc) in the liver and the lungs. However, the IECs in the tissues of these animals in physiological hunger also changed. This redistribution differed from that in the rats with AO. The IECs soon after ingestion of lard also changed, which also reflects sustained changes in the metabolism in the animals.

The effect of zinc and phytoestrogen supplementation on the changes in mineral content of the femur of rats with chemically induced mammary carcinogenesis

The aim of this study was to assess skeletal effects of zinc or zinc with phytoestrogen (resveratrol or genistein) supplementation in an animal model of rats with DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis. The changes in bone parameters such as the length and mass were examined, as well as the changes in concentrations of selected minerals: calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and phosphorus. Moreover, the investigations focused on finding the differences between the levels of iron and zinc in other tissues: the liver, spleen and serum of the examined rats. Fifty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats, 40 days old, were divided into four groups, regardless of the diets: standard (77mg Zn kg/food), zinc (4.6mg/mL via gavage), zinc (4.6mg/mL) plus resveratrol (0.2mg/kgbw), and zinc (4.6mg/mL) plus genistein (0.2mg/kgbw) for a period from 40 days until 20 weeks of age. The study rats were also treated with 7,12-dimethyl-1,2-benz[a]anthracene (DMBA) to induce mammary carcinogenesis. The applied diet and the advanced mammary cancer did not affect macrometric parameters of the rats' bones, but they strongly affected their mineral content. It was found that mammary cancer, irrespectively of the applied diet, significantly modified the iron level in the femur, liver, spleen and serum of the examined rats. In addition, zinc supplementation significantly lowered the levels of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in the femur of rats with mammary cancer as compared with respective levels in the control group. So, it was found that additional supplementation with zinc, which is generally considered to be an antioxidant, with the co-existing mammary carcinoma, increased the unfavorable changes as concerns the stability of bone tissue. The appropriate combination of zinc and phytoestrogens (resveratrol or genistein) could help prevent or slow bone loss associated with a range of skeletal disorders in breast cancer.