Biological Trace Element Research最新文献

Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide and can contribute to dietary exposure to both essential and potentially toxic elements. This study investigated the effects of brewing time and lemon juice addition on the concentrations and multivariate relationships among selected metals in commercial black tea infusions. Brewing time significantly affected the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Mn, and Al, whereas acidification through lemon juice addition influenced Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Al. Prolonged brewing increased Mn and Al concentrations but reduced Pb and Cd levels. Lemon juice addition enhanced the concentrations of Al, Mn, Zn, and Cr while decreasing Cu concentration in the infusions. Principal component analysis demonstrated that acidification was the primary factor shaping the elemental profile of tea infusions, exerting a greater influence than brewing time. The strongest responses to both experimental factors were observed for Mn and Al, whose concentrations increased markedly under acidic conditions and with extended brewing time. Despite these changes, the contribution of Ni, Al, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Cr to dietary intake or exposure remained low across all brewing variants. In contrast, tea infusions represented a substantial source of Mn, providing approximately 30-60% of the adequate intake, depending on preparation conditions. These findings indicate that common brewing practices can significantly modify the elemental composition of black tea infusions, with acidification having a stronger effect than extraction time. Nevertheless, consumption of the investigated teas is unlikely to pose a significant health risk and may contribute beneficially to manganese intake.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific complication affecting 3 to 8% of women worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Environmental factors, including trace elements (TE), have been suggested to be associated with the risk of PE, but with conflicting results depending on the specific elements studied. This study aims to compare blood concentrations of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and selenium (Se) in women with and without PE.

Methods: The case-control study was conducted (35 cases and 30 controls) in Kongo Central province, in the southwestern of the DR Congo. The logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratios of the risk of PE as a function of blood TE levels, after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Results: Higher blood Cd levels were associated with increased odds of PE in cases as compared to controls [OR = 1.355 (95% CI: 1.077-2.081, P < 0.01]. In contrast, lower blood Se levels were associated with higher odds of PE [OR = 0.097 (95% CI: 0.013-0.394), P < 0.01].

Conclusions: The results of this study highlight a significant association between high blood Cd levels and an increased risk of PE, while high blood Se levels are associated with a reduced risk. Further prospective and interventional studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Accurate safety evaluation of medicinal and edible plants requires a deep understanding of heavy metal(loid) behavior during growth. To address this, we characterized the accumulation dynamics, chemical fractionation, and health risks of Pb, Cd, As, Hg, and Cu in Angelica dahurica across a complete growth cycle. Samples of roots, stems, and leaves were collected monthly from April to August and analyzed using Tessier sequential extraction. The results revealed distinct temporal and tissue-specific accumulation patterns; specifically, Pb, Cd, As, and Cu generally exhibited a decreasing trend during plant growth, with the highest concentrations predominantly found in the leaves. Pb, Hg, and Cu existed primarily in the exchangeable (F1) and carbonate-bound (F2) fractions, which were considered the absorbable fraction and represented the most bioavailable chemical forms. Health risk assessments indicated that consuming Angelica dahurica roots poses non-carcinogenic risks to children and adults in April (with children exhibiting nearly four-fold greater susceptibility), while Cd-dominated carcinogenic risks also exceed the safety thresholds. Furthermore, both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks exhibit a declining trend over the growth period, with risk values based on the absorbable fraction consistently being approximately half of those based on the total content. Incorporating chemical fractionation offers a more realistic safety evaluation than traditional total concentration methods. These findings provide a scientific basis for agricultural management and the establishment of precise safety standards, thereby supporting the sustainable utilization of Angelica dahurica.

This study investigated the levels of trace elements in two fish species, Kariba bream (Oreochromis mortimeri) and Kapenta (Limnothrissa miodon) from Lake Kariba in two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022. Both Kariba Bream fresh/sun-dried muscle and sun-dried Kapenta tissues were digested using a microwave digestion system and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Mean concentration of trace elements between the first and second sampling differed significantly (P > 0.05). In the first sampling, concentrations of trace elements in sun-dried bream occurred in the order Fe > Al > Cr > Zn > Mn > As while Se, Cu, Cd, Pb and Hg were not detected. Sun-dried Kapenta displayed Al > Fe > Zn > Mn > Cr > Cu > As > Se with Cd, Pb and Hg not detected. Fresh bream showed Fe > Al > Zn > Cr > Mn > Cu > Se, with Pb, As, Cd and Hg not detected. In the second sampling, the order was, Fe > Al > Zn > Cr > Mn > Se > Cu > As in sun-dried bream; Fe > Zn > Mn > Al > Cr > Cu > Se > As in sun-dried Kapenta with Cd, Pb and Hg not detected in both. Fresh bream showed; Fe > Al > Zn > Mn > Cr > Se > Cu > As > Pb with Cd and Hg not detected. Notably, the concentrations of Fe, Mn and Cr in some samples exceeded the recommended limits by FAO/WHO. The THQ and HI for some elements were above the threshold value of 1, indicating potential risk of non-carcinogenic to human health for long-term consumption. These findings highlight the need for further investigation into post-fish handling, including land-use activities in and around the lake.

Chronic cadmium (Cd) exposure, even in environmental conditions, has been associated with metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Cd-induced endocrine-metabolic disruption remain unclear. Using a multidisciplinary approach that combines in vivo, in vitro, and in silico analyses, we examined the effects of environmentally relevant Cd concentrations on lipids and glucose homeostasis, β-cell proliferation, insulin secretion, and the biofunctionality of insulin-Cd complex. Male Wistar rats were exposed orally to CdCl₂ (15 or 32 ppm) for three months. zoometric, glycemic, and lipid parameters were evaluated, along with markers of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), β-cell proliferation (Ki-67), and survival (Bcl-2). Crystallographic, spectroscopic (UV-Vis, FTIR), and in silico analyses characterized the coordination chemistry of Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ within insulin complexes, and the biological activity of insulin-Cd was assessed in diabetic models. Cd exposure produced a dose-dependent increase in zoometric and biochemical parameters, accompanied by hyperinsulinemia and impaired β-cell function. Isolated islets showed exaggerated second-phase insulin release and increased Ki-67 with reduced Bcl-2 immunoreactivity, suggesting compensatory β-cell proliferation under subtoxic stress. Spectroscopic and theoretical analyses support the possibility that Cd²⁺ substitutes Zn²⁺ within insulin coordination sites, leading to structural perturbations. In vivo, insulin-Cd conjugates exhibited diminished hypoglycemic efficacy despite elevated circulating insulin levels, indicating reduced bioactivity. In conclusion, Cd exposure at the experimental concentrations used in this study is associated with structural perturbations of insulin and markedly reduced biological activity, providing a plausible mechanism for Cd-induced metabolic dysfunction.

This study aimed to systematically investigate the relationship between mixed heavy metal exposure and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level using an integrated multi-model statistical strategy. This study included 568 participants from the Manganese-Exposed Workers Healthy Cohort. Serum CRP and 20 blood metal concentrations were measured. Key metals were selected via LASSO regression and overall mixture effects and metal contributions were quantified by Quantile g-computation; and joint effects, nonlinearity, and interactions were evaluated using Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR). LASSO regression identified 9 key metals (Calcium, Nickel, Copper, Titanium, Tin, Vanadium, Selenium, Arsenic, Rubidium). GLM revealed inverse linear associations for Ca, Se, Rb, and Ni, and a positive association for Cu with CRP. Quantile g-computation showed the overall mixture was significantly inversely associated with CRP (HR = 0.955, 95% CI: 0.918, 0.996), with calcium contributing the largest negative weight (-0.31). BKMR indicated that the overall mixture effect showed a monotonic decreasing trend across exposure quantiles, with a significant positive association at lower quantiles (0.25-0.5). BKMR also identified a significant positive interaction for tin (posterior mean = 0.051, 95% CI: 0.004, 0.098), with calcium showing the highest posterior inclusion probability (PIP = 0.972). This study suggests that metal mixtures exert exposure-level-dependent effects on CRP with complex interactions. Calcium may act as a central regulator, while tin shows amplified effects at higher co-exposure levels. These findings advance mechanistic understanding of mixture toxicology and inform exposure-level-specific risk assessment.

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most widespread micronutrient deficiency globally and has been increasingly linked to disturbances in cellular redox balance and metabolic regulation. Emerging evidence indicates that parental nutritional status can influence offspring physiology through intergenerational programming mechanisms. However, the molecular pathways through which parental ID affects oxidative stress and epigenetic regulation in subsequent generations remain poorly understood. The present study investigated whether oxidative stress and altered expression of iron-dependent epigenetic regulators contribute to these effects. ID was induced in parental (F0) flies by feeding a diet containing 200 µmol bathophenanthroline disulphonate for two weeks prior to mating. F1 and F2 offspring were maintained on either a normal diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD). Antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and Gtpx), were measured enzymatically, while the expression of oxidative stress markers (Sod1, Gtpx) and epigenetic demethylases (Tet and Kdm2) was quantified using RT-qPCR. Parental ID induced a sustained oxidative stress phenotype across generations. SOD activity and mRNA expression were significantly elevated in both paternal and maternal lineages, particularly under HFD conditions. In contrast, Gtpx activity declined in F1 and F2 offspring exposed to HFD but increased in those maintained on ND. Expression of the iron-dependent demethylases Tet and Kdm2 exhibited dynamic generational patterns, with reduced expression in later generations following parental ID. Collectively, these findings indicate that parental ID induces persistent oxidative stress and alters the expression of key epigenetic regulatory enzymes across generations. This suggests a potential mechanistic pathway linking micronutrient deficiency to inherited metabolic susceptibility.

Selenium (Se) is a vital micronutrient in maintaining intestinal redox homeostasis, and its deficiency weakens antioxidant capacity and aggravates inflammatory injury. Trimethyltin chloride (TMT), a widespread environmental pollutant with strong bioaccumulation, triggers oxidative stress (OS) at low levels, and its toxicity may be more severe in Se-deficient areas. However, the mechanism of ileal inflammatory injury caused by Se deficiency combined with TMT exposure remains unclear.Using in vivo chicken models and in vitro experiments, we demonstrated that Se deficiency or TMT alone disrupted ileal antioxidant systems, increased ROS accumulation, activated the PERK/CHOP endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) pathway, promoted pyroptosis, and damaged intestinal barrier function, while combined exposure synergistically worsened these lesions. Pharmacological inhibition revealed that the ROS scavenger NAC suppressed PERK/CHOP signaling and reduced ERS and pyroptosis, and the pyroptosis inhibitor MCC950 mitigated inflammatory responses.Overall, TMT aggravates Se deficiency-induced ileitis in chickens through the ROS/ERS-mediated pyroptosis axis. This study clarifies the interaction between environmental pollutants and trace elements, offering potential nutritional intervention targets for environmental enterotoxicity.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that causes multi-organ damage, including neurotoxicity. Carvacrol (CAR), a natural phenolic compound obtained from aromatic plants, is known for its protective properties. This study investigated the effects of CAR against Cd-induced toxicity through comprehensive behavioral assessments including the Open Field Test (OFT), Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), Barnes Maze, and Rotarod test, while plasma biochemical parameters, liver and kidney histopathology, and untargeted metabolomic profiles (plasma and brain) were also evaluated. Male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into six groups and orally administered Cd (50 mg/kg) and/or CAR (20 or 40 mg/kg body weight) for 12 days. CAR alone increased locomotor activity, altered neuroprotective related metabolic pathways and did not cause weight loss. Cd exposure significantly increased body weight loss and anxiety-like behaviors while elevating cortisol, urea, AST, ALT levels and inducing significant histopathological damage in liver and kidney tissues (p < 0.05). Integrated plasma-brain metabolomic analyses revealed that Cd exposure disrupts multiple interconnected biological systems, including the antioxidant defence system, mitochondrial energy pathways, and cell membrane integrity. Although Cd-CAR co-administration partially reversed worsening of the anxiolytic-like behavior, locomotor activity, and renal tissue integrity, it failed to fully prevent Cd-induced toxicity and further aggravated weight loss, biochemical alterations (creatinine, AST, ALT), and metabolic disturbances (p < 0.05). In conclusion, co-administration of CAR with Cd provided only limited and heterogeneous protection that was insufficient to counteract Cd-induced multisystem toxicity. This current study presents a wide assessment to the systemic use of CAR against Cd according to results of behavioral, histopathological, biochemical, and metabolomic parameters.

This study aimed to evaluate the exposure of Chelonia mydas (green turtles) inhabiting the south coast of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil, to essential and toxic elements. Concentrations of Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined in shell, muscle, liver, and kidney samples from 43 individuals using ICP-OES. Element concentrations varied according to tissue type. Specifically, the average concentrations of Al in shell (1064 mg kg^-1 d.w.) and Fe in liver (2069 mg kg^-1 d.w.) were the highest, whereas Al, Co, Cr, and Mo in muscle were the lowest and fell below the method's limit of quantification (LOQ). Meanwhile, Pb was above the LOQ only in muscle (average of 4.1 mg kg^-1 d.w.). Cadmium levels were markedly elevated, with average concentrations of 0.15, 0.29, 12, and 49 mg kg^-1 d.w. in shell, muscle, liver, and kidney, respectively; furthermore, concentrations in muscle, liver, and kidney were well above the limits established by Brazilian legislation (0.05, 0.5, and 1.0 mg kg^-1, respectively). High levels of Cd may be linked to the presence of fertilizers in coastal areas, the ingestion of contaminated food, and chronic exposure. Notably, fibropapillomatosis (FP) showed a significant relationship with shell Cu content, demonstrating that this metal is linked to the etiology and development of FP. Overall, multi-elemental profiling of sea turtle tissues can serve as a cost-effective surveillance tool for marine ecosystem monitoring and for detecting anthropogenic impacts on sea turtle health.