Gender-specific differences in hair rare trace element content in children with Down's syndrome

The primary objective of the present study was to assess the levels of hair ultra-trace elements in patients with Down's syndrome and the potential gender effects. A total of 50 children with Down's syndrome (70% boys, 30% girls) aged 0 - 5 years and 50 age- and gender-matched neurotypical controls were enrolled in the present study. Proximal parts of hair strands (0.5 - 1 cm) were collected in a quantity of 0.05 - 0.1 g. Prior to analysis the samples were washed with acetone and distilled water and subjected to microwave digestion. The obtained data demonstrate that children with Down's syndrome are characterized by a significant more than 2-fold increase in hair Ag levels as compared to the healthy controls. In turn, hair Pt levels in Down's syndrome patients was 43% lower in comparison to the control values. Notably, hair Rb in patients with trisomy 21 had 63% higher hair Rb levels as compared to the respective control levels, although the difference was nearly significant. Further analysis revealed that the observed difference is gender-specific: hair Ag levels were significantly increased only in female examinees, whereas significantly lower hair Pt levels were observed only in boys with Down's syndrome. Although the clinical significance of the revealed associations is unclear, one can propose that altered rare element levels may be associated with impaired metal-binding protein levels in Down's syndrome

Zinc deficiency as a mediator of toxic effects of alcohol abuse

Objective: To review data on the role of ethanol-induced alteration of Zn homeostasis in mediation of adverse effects of alcohol abuse. Methods: The scholarly published articles on the association between Zn metabolism and alcohol-associated disorders (liver, brain, lung, gut dysfunction, and fetal alcohol syndrome) have been reviewed. Results: It is demonstrated that alcohol-induced modulation of zinc transporters results in decreased Zn levels in lungs, liver, gut, and brain. Zn deficiency in the gut results in increased gut permeability, ultimately leading to endotoxemia and systemic inflammation. Similarly, Zn deficiency in lung epithelia and alveolar macrophages decreases lung barrier function resulting in respiratory distress syndrome. In turn, increased endotoxemia significantly contributes to proinflammatory state in alcoholic liver disease. Finally, impaired gut and liver functions may play a significant role in alcoholic brain damage, being associated with both increased proinflammatory signaling and accumulation of neurotoxic metabolites. It is also hypothesized that ethanol-induced Zn deficiency may interfere with neurotransmission. Similar changes may take place in the fetus as a result of impaired placental zinc transfer, maternal zinc deficiency, or maternal Zn sequestration, resulting in fetal alcoholic syndrome. Therefore, alcoholic Zn deficiency not only mediates the adverse effects of ethanol exposure, but also provides an additional link between different alcohol-induced disorders. Conclusions: Generally, current findings suggest that assessment of Zn status could be used as a diagnostic marker of metabolic disturbances in alcohol abuse, whereas modulation of Zn metabolism may be a potential tool in the treatment of alcohol-associated disorders. © 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

ICP-DRC-MS analysis of serum essential and toxic element levels in postmenopausal prediabetic women in relation to glycemic control markers

Purpose: Assessment of the influence of prediabetes on serum trace element and electrolyte levels in postmenopausal women. Methods: A total of 80 prediabetic and 80 healthy postmenopausal women took part in the present study. Serum was analyzed for glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol (TC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were also assessed. Serum levels of 28 elements were estimated using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry with dynamic reaction cell technology (ICP-DRC-MS). Results: Prediabetic women were characterized by significantly higher HbA1c, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, ALT, and GGT values. Of trace elements, only serum zinc (Zn) levels were significantly lower in prediabetics by 10% (p = 0.001) when compared to the controls. Serum Zn levels were characterized by a significant inverse correlation with HbA1c (r = − 0.205; p = 0.009), insulin (r = − 0.246; p = 0.002), and HOMA-IR (r = − 0.227; p = 0.004). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated a significant inverse association between serum Zn (β = −0.169; p = 0.031) and Sr (β = −0.192; p = 0.012) and HOMA-IR values after adjustment for anthropometric and biochemical parameters (p for a model < 0.001). Although serum Zn was significantly associated with HbA1c both in crude and adjusted models, no significant relationship was detected after adjustment for age and anthropometric parameters. Conclusions: Prediabetic postmenopausal women are characterized by significantly lower levels of serum Zn concentration, whereas serum Zn and Sr levels were inversely associated with insulin resistance. © 201

Gender-specific differences in hair rare trace element content in children with Down's syndrome

The primary objective of the present study was to assess the levels of hair ultra-trace elements in patients with Down's syndrome and the potential gender effects. A total of 50 children with Down's syndrome (70% boys, 30% girls) aged 0 - 5 years and 50 age- and gender-matched neurotypical controls were enrolled in the present study. Proximal parts of hair strands (0.5 - 1 cm) were collected in a quantity of 0.05 - 0.1 g. Prior to analysis the samples were washed with acetone and distilled water and subjected to microwave digestion. The obtained data demonstrate that children with Down's syndrome are characterized by a significant more than 2-fold increase in hair Ag levels as compared to the healthy controls. In turn, hair Pt levels in Down's syndrome patients was 43% lower in comparison to the control values. Notably, hair Rb in patients with trisomy 21 had 63% higher hair Rb levels as compared to the respective control levels, although the difference was nearly significant. Further analysis revealed that the observed difference is gender-specific: hair Ag levels were significantly increased only in female examinees, whereas significantly lower hair Pt levels were observed only in boys with Down's syndrome. Although the clinical significance of the revealed associations is unclear, one can propose that altered rare element levels may be associated with impaired metal-binding protein levels in Down's syndrome

Гендерные особенности элементного статуса у детей с синдромом Дауна

The objective of the present study was to assess gender effects on the levels of essential and toxic chemical elements in hair of children with Down's syndrome. It has been revealed that hair phosphorus in boys and girls with Down's syndrome exceeded the control values by 36% (p < 0,001) and 30% (p < 0,001), respectively. Boys were also characterized by increased hair magnesium content. At the same time, hair zinc in boys and girls suffering from Down's syndrome was 54% (p = 0,021) and 109% (p = 0,085) higher as compared to the control levels. Girls with the syndrome were characterized by higher hair chromium and silicon levels. In contrast to other metals, in boys and girls with Down's syndrome hair mercury levels were decreased by a factor of more than 2 (p = 0,088) and 3 (p = 0,031), whereas hair content of lead and arsenic was elevated in boys and girls, respectively. Two-way ANOVA demonstrated a significant factorial interaction (gender*syndrome) only in the case of Cr (p = 0,030) and Hg (p = 0,031). Therefore, the results of the study indicate a possible pathogenic role of trace element imbalance in Down's syndrome.Исследованы гендерные различия содержания эссенциальных и токсичных химических элементов в волосах детей с синдромом Дауна. Установлено, что уровень фосфора в волосах мальчиков и девочек с синдромом Дауна превышал соответствующие значения в контрольной группе на 36% (p < 0,001) и 30% (p < 0,001), соответственно. У мальчиков также было выявлено повышение уровня магния. В то же время, увеличение уровня цинка в волосах мальчиков и девочек с синдромом Дауна по сравнению с соответствующими группами здоровых обследуемых составило 54% (p = 0,021) и 109% (p = 0,085). У девочек с синдромом Дауна также отмечалось увеличение уровня хрома и кремния в волосах. В отличие от других металлов, у мальчиков и девочек с синдромом Дауна отмечено более чем 2- (p = 0,088) и 3-кратное (p = 0,031) снижение уровня ртути в волосах относительно соответствующих групп сравнения, тогда как содержание свинца и мышьяка характеризовался увеличением у мальчиков и девочек с синдромом Дауна, соответственно. При анализе влияния факторного взаимодействия (two-way ANOVA) достоверное влияние факториального взаимодействия (пол*наличие заболевания) отмечалось в случае Cr (p = 0,030) и Hg (p = 0,031). Результаты работы указывают на возможное патогенетическое значение дисбаланса макро- и микроэлементов при синдроме Дауна

Serum copper, zinc, and iron levels, and markers of carbohydrate metabolism in postmenopausal women with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus

The objective of the present study was to evaluate serum level of copper, zinc, iron and metabolic parameters in postmenopausal women with diabetes. A total of 413 postmenopausal women were enrolled in the current study. Women were divided into 4 groups with equal age and body mass index according to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (≤5.5; 5.5–6.0; 6.0–6.5; &gt;6.5%). Serum Fe, Cu, and Zn levels were assessed using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. Blood HbA1c, serum glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, and ceruloplasmin (Cp) were assessed using commercial kits. Homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and transferrin (Tf) saturation were calculated. The obtained data demonstrate that every 0.5% increase in HbA1c levels from 5.5% is associated with a significant elevation of glucose, insulin, CRP, and HOMA-IR values. Diabetic patients were characterized by significantly higher Fe (11%), Cu (8%), and Zn (6%) levels as compared to the controls. At the same time, the overall trend to increased metal levels in association with HbA1c was detected only for Fe (p &lt; 0.05) and Cu (p &lt; 0.05). Serum ferritin levels in diabetic women was 3-fold higher than in the controls, whereas Tf saturation was decreased by 35%. Serum Cp levels were significantly increased by 19% in prediabetes, whereas in diabetic postmenopausal women no such increase was observed. A significant elevation of total metal concentration in diabetic subjects without a concomitant elevation of transport proteins may be indicative of increased levels of “free” Fe and Cu, known to be toxic. © 2016 Elsevier Gmb

Гендерные особенности элементного статуса у детей с синдромом Дауна

The objective of the present study was to assess gender effects on the levels of essential and toxic chemical elements in hair of children with Down's syndrome. It has been revealed that hair phosphorus in boys and girls with Down's syndrome exceeded the control values by 36% (p < 0,001) and 30% (p < 0,001), respectively. Boys were also characterized by increased hair magnesium content. At the same time, hair zinc in boys and girls suffering from Down's syndrome was 54% (p = 0,021) and 109% (p = 0,085) higher as compared to the control levels. Girls with the syndrome were characterized by higher hair chromium and silicon levels. In contrast to other metals, in boys and girls with Down's syndrome hair mercury levels were decreased by a factor of more than 2 (p = 0,088) and 3 (p = 0,031), whereas hair content of lead and arsenic was elevated in boys and girls, respectively. Two-way ANOVA demonstrated a significant factorial interaction (gender*syndrome) only in the case of Cr (p = 0,030) and Hg (p = 0,031). Therefore, the results of the study indicate a possible pathogenic role of trace element imbalance in Down's syndrome.Исследованы гендерные различия содержания эссенциальных и токсичных химических элементов в волосах детей с синдромом Дауна. Установлено, что уровень фосфора в волосах мальчиков и девочек с синдромом Дауна превышал соответствующие значения в контрольной группе на 36% (p < 0,001) и 30% (p < 0,001), соответственно. У мальчиков также было выявлено повышение уровня магния. В то же время, увеличение уровня цинка в волосах мальчиков и девочек с синдромом Дауна по сравнению с соответствующими группами здоровых обследуемых составило 54% (p = 0,021) и 109% (p = 0,085). У девочек с синдромом Дауна также отмечалось увеличение уровня хрома и кремния в волосах. В отличие от других металлов, у мальчиков и девочек с синдромом Дауна отмечено более чем 2- (p = 0,088) и 3-кратное (p = 0,031) снижение уровня ртути в волосах относительно соответствующих групп сравнения, тогда как содержание свинца и мышьяка характеризовался увеличением у мальчиков и девочек с синдромом Дауна, соответственно. При анализе влияния факторного взаимодействия (two-way ANOVA) достоверное влияние факториального взаимодействия (пол*наличие заболевания) отмечалось в случае Cr (p = 0,030) и Hg (p = 0,031). Результаты работы указывают на возможное патогенетическое значение дисбаланса макро- и микроэлементов при синдроме Дауна