Biological trace element research
-
Biol Trace Elem Res · Feb 2019
Assessment of Toxic Metals and Hazardous Substances in Tattoo Inks Using Sy-XRF, AAS, and Raman Spectroscopy.
Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, in conjunction with atomic absorption and Raman spectroscopy, was used to analyze a set of top brand tattoo inks to investigate the presence of toxic elements and hazardous substances. The Cr, Cu, and Pb contents were found to be above the maximum allowed levels established by the Council of Europe through the resolution ResAP(2008)1 on requirements and criteria for the safety of tattoos and permanent makeup. ⋯ Other pigments that were identified in white, black, red, and yellow inks are the Pigment White 6, Carbon Black, Pigment Red 8, and a diazo yellow, respectively. The present results show the importance of regulating tattoo ink composition.
-
Biol Trace Elem Res · Feb 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialMagnesium Supplementation and the Effects on Wound Healing and Metabolic Status in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcer: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Hypomagnesemia is associated with the development of neuropathy and abnormal platelet activity, both of which are risk factors for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of magnesium administration on wound healing and metabolic status in subjects with DFU. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 70 subjects with grade 3 DFU. ⋯ In addition, significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (-45.4 ± 82.6 vs. -10.6 ± 53.7 mg/dL, P = 0.04), serum insulin values (-2.4 ± 5.6 vs. +1.5 ± 9.6 μIU/mL, P = 0.04), and HbA1c (-0.7 ± 1.5 vs. -0.1 ± 0.4%, P = 0.03) and a significant rise in the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.01 ± 0.01 vs. -0.004 ± 0.02, P = 0.01) were seen following supplementation of magnesium compared with the placebo. Additionally, compared with the placebo, taking magnesium resulted in significant decrease in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (-19.6 ± 32.5 vs. -4.8 ± 11.2 mg/L, P = 0.01) and significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (+6.4 ± 65.2 vs. -129.9 ± 208.3 mmol/L, P < 0.001). Overall, magnesium supplementation for 12 weeks among subjects with DFU had beneficial effects on parameters of ulcer size, glucose metabolism, serum hs-CRP, and plasma TAC levels.
-
Biol Trace Elem Res · Nov 2016
Zn2+ and mPTP Mediate Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Inhibition-Induced Cardioprotection Against Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether Zn2+ is involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibition-induced cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by modulation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30-min regional ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Expression of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP 78 or BIP), an ER homeostasis marker, was not increased during ischemia but was increased upon reperfusion, indicating that ER stress was initiated upon reperfusion but not during ischemia. ⋯ In support, TUDCA significantly increased intracellular free zinc. These data suggest that reperfusion but not ischemia initiates ER stress and inhibition of ER stress protects the heart from reperfusion injury through prevention of the mPTP opening. Increased intracellular free Zn accounts for the cardioprotective effect of ER stress inhibition.
-
Biol Trace Elem Res · Sep 2015
Dose- and Time-Dependent In Vitro Effects of Divalent and Trivalent Iron on the Activity of Bovine Spermatozoa.
This in vitro study was designed to assess the impact of divalent (Fe(2+)) or trivalent (Fe(3+)) iron on the activity and oxidative balance of bovine spermatozoa at specific time intervals (0, 2, 8, 16, and 24 h) during an in vitro culture. Forty-five semen samples were collected from adult breeding bulls and diluted in physiological saline solution supplemented with different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 μmol/L) of FeCl2 or FeCl3. Spermatozoa motion parameters were assessed using the SpermVision™ computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) system. ⋯ In a direct comparison, divalent iron has been shown to be more toxic than trivalent iron. Results from this in vitro study show that high concentrations of both forms of iron are toxic, while their low concentrations may have spermatozoa activity-promoting properties. In vitro concentrations of divalent or trivalent iron that could be regarded as critical are 50 μmol/L FeCl2 and 100 μmol/L FeCl3 when iron ceases to be an essential micronutrient in order to become a toxic risk factor.
-
Biol Trace Elem Res · Sep 2015
Reduction of Oxidative Damage and Inflammatory Response in the Diaphragm Muscle of mdx Mice Using Iron Chelator Deferoxamine.
Oxidative stress and inflammatory processes strongly contribute to pathogenesis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Based on evidence that excess iron may increase oxidative stress and contribute to the inflammatory response, we investigated whether deferoxamine (DFX), a potent iron chelating agent, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in the diaphragm (DIA) muscle of mdx mice (an experimental model of DMD). Fourteen-day-old mdx mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of DFX at a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight, diluted in saline, for 14 days. ⋯ DFX treatment also resulted in a significant reduction of dystrophic inflammatory processes, as indicated by decreases in the inflammatory area and in NF-κB levels. DFX significantly decreased oxidative damage, as shown by lower levels of 4-hydroxynonenal and a reduction in dihydroethidium staining in the DIA muscle of mdx mice. The results of the present study suggest that DFX may be useful in therapeutic strategies to ameliorate dystrophic muscle pathology, possibly via mechanisms involving oxidative and inflammatory pathways.