The relationship of plasma aluminum to oxidant-antioxidant and inflammation status in asthma patients

Aluminum (Al) is a non-essential mineral which human beings are exposed to on day-to-day life. The purpose of this study was to assess the concentrations of plasma Al and the relationship of those levels with risk factors for asthma. In total, 27 allergic asthmatics and 30 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Plasma Al and selected blood parameters were measured, and a pulmonary function test was performed. Higher Al concentrations were found in the asthmatics than the healthy controls. Increased immunoglobulin E, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, lipid peroxidation products, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin [IL]-4) were observed, but IL-10 and overall antioxidant and enzyme activities were lower. Associations between oxidative-antioxidant status and inflammatory markers with plasma Al levels in asthmatics were noted. Al status was also linked to cytokine concentrations and pulmonary function. In conclusion, abnormal Al distribution may further precipitate oxidative stress and inflammation, alter Th1/Th2 lymphocyte balance, and therefore contribute to the development of asthma.

Iron and aluminum in Alzheimer's disease

In this case presentation, a woman with high serum levels of aluminum was treated with chelation therapy with deferoxamine and ascorbic acid. This patient was initially bedridden and the clinical situation was complicated by epileptic seizures. After the chelation therapy, the clinical condition was ameliorated and the therapy continued without the correlation to aluminum serum levels. The role of metals in neurodegenerative disorders and the correlation between iron metabolism and amyloid beta peptide are described. This case suggests chelation therapy could represent a promising therapeutic option for this dramatic disease.

Application of Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with high-frequency modulation polarization for the direct determination of aluminum, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, mercury, manganese, nickel, lead, and thallium in human blood

Determination of aluminum (Al), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and thallium (Tl) concentrations in human blood using high-frequency modulation polarization Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) was performed. No sample digestion was used in the current study. Blood samples were diluted with deionized water or 0.1 % (m/v) Triton X-100 solution for Tl. Dilution factors ranged from 1/5 per volume for Be and Tl to 1/20 per volume for Cd and Pb. For Tl, Cd, and Hg, noble metals (gold, platinum, rhodium, etc.) were applied as surface modifiers. To mitigate chloride interference, 2 % (m/v) solution of NH(4)NO(3) was used as matrix modifier for Tl and Ni assessment. The use of Pd(NO(3))(2) as oxidative modifier was necessary for blood Hg and Tl measurement. Validation of the methods was performed by analyzing two-level reference material Seronorm. The precision of the designed methods as relative SD was between 4 and 12 % (middle of a dynamic range) depending on the element. For additional validation, spiked blood samples were analyzed. Limits of detection (LoDs, 3σ, n = 10) for undiluted blood samples were 2.0 μg L(-1) for Al, 0.08 μg L(-1) for Be, 0.10 μg L(-1) for Cd, 2.2 μg L(-1) for Cr, 7 μg L(-1) for Hg, 0.4 μg L(-1) for Mn, 2.3 μg L(-1) for Ni, 3.4 μg L(-1) for Pb, and 0.5 μg L(-1) for Tl. The LoDs achieved allowed determination of Al, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Pb at both toxic and background levels. Be, Hg, and Tl could be reliably measured at toxic levels only. The methods developed are used for clinical diagnostics and biological monitoring of work-related exposure.

Particle-induced X-ray emission analysis of elements in plasma from wild and captive sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia mydas, and Caretta caretta) in Okinawa, Japan

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of direct determination of trace and major element concentrations in plasma samples from wild (six hawksbill, nine green, and nine loggerhead) and captive sea turtles (25 howksbill, five green, and three loggerhead) in Okinawa, Japan. The particle induced X-ray emission method allowed detection of 23 trace and major elements (Al, As, Br, Ca, Cl, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, S, Se, Si, Sr, Ti, Y, and Zn). The wild sea turtles were found to have high concentrations of As and Pb in plasma compared with captive, but there were no significant changes in the Al and Hg concentrations. Loggerhead sea turtles were found to have significantly higher accumulation of As and Pb in plasma in comparison to other species. These findings may be useful when adjusting environmental and species-related factors in severely polluted marine ecosystems. Our results indicate that measuring the plasma As and Pb concentrations in wild sea turtles might be of help to assess the level of pollution in marine ecosystems, keeping in mind that loggerhead sea turtles had been shown to have higher levels of As and Pb in plasma.

The relationship between plasma aluminum content, lymphocyte DNA damage, and oxidative status in persons using aluminum containers and utensils daily

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore the in vivo effect of the plasma aluminum content on lymphocyte DNA damage, the plasma protein carbonyl (PC) content, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidative capacity (TAC) levels in aluminum exposed and non-exposed humans.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Peripheral blood samples were collected from in vivo aluminum exposed and non-exposed humans and the above parameters were measured.

RESULTS

The mean values of lymphocyte DNA damage, plasma MDA, PC levels, and aluminum concentrations were found to be significantly higher in the aluminum exposed group than within the control group (p<0.01). On the other hand, plasma TAC levels were found to be significantly lower in the aluminum exposed group than in the control group (p<0.001). Significant positive correlations were found to exist between lymphocyte DNA damage and the aluminum concentration (r=0.643, p<0.001), DNA damage and MDA (r=0.491, p<0.001), and DNA damage and PC (r=0.548, p<0.01). A negative correlation was found between TAC and DNA damage (r=-0.600 p<0.001) in the aluminum exposed group.

CONCLUSION

Findings from the study revealed that an increased plasma aluminum concentration was associated with increased oxidative stress and increased DNA damage in aluminum exposed humans.

CITRATE ANTICOAGULATION AND ADVERSE EVENTS

Several patients with heparin intolerance were dialysed with tri-sodium citrate as anticoagulant without acute clinical problems (good tolerance). After some weeks however problems arose. In all patients an alkalosis developed: the pre dialysis bicarbonate level rose progressively from 27 mmol/l to 40 mmol/l. This could be tempered by lowering the dialysis fluid bicarbonate concentration from 37 mmol/l to 25 mmol/l. A second problem was a progressive rise in pre dialysis sodium level from a mean of 136 mmol/l to 150 mmol/l. Adapting the dialysis fluid sodium concentration from 140 mmol/l towards 132 mmol/l could solve this. The third problem was a progressive rise in serum aluminium level in patients from 3 microg/l to 38 microg/l. After excluding water, concentrate, dialysis fluid, drug intake, etc... as possible sources, we controlled the aluminium level in the glass bottle containing tri-sodium citrate. We noted the very high value of 35,300 microg/l. After replacing the glass bottles with polyvinylchloride bags with a negligible aluminium content, the serum aluminium levels returned back to normal. It is known that citrate chelates the aluminium present in the glass of bottles or vials.

Effects of subchronic aluminum exposure on the reproductive function in female rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aluminum (Al) exposure on the reproductive function in female rats. Forty female Wistar (5 weeks old) rats, weighing 110-120 g, were divided randomly into four groups. They were orally administrated with 0, 64.18, 128.36, and 256.72 mg aluminum chloride (AlCl(3)) per kilogram body weight in drinking water for 120 days. Levels of Al, estrogen (E(2)), progestogen (P), testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) in serum were measured at the end of experiment. The results showed that levels of E(2), P, FSH, and LH were significantly lower and Al concentration was significantly higher in all three Al-treated groups than those in the control group (GC). The level of T was significantly higher in the low- and medium-dose groups (GL and GM) (P < 0.05) but not in high-dose group (GH) compared with GC. The results suggest that the reproductive function of female rats is inhibited under long-term Al exposure in an Al dose-dependent manner.

Normal concentrations of heavy metals in autistic spectrum disorders

AIM

Autism is a neurological-psychiatric disease. In the last 20 years we witnessed a strong increase of autism diagnoses. To explain this increase, some scientists put forward the hypothesis that heavy metal intoxication may be one of the causes of autism. The origin of such an intoxication was hypothesised to be vaccines containing thimerosal as antimicrobic preservative. This preservative is mainly made up of mercury. The aim of our research was to investigate the correlation between autism and high biological concentrations of heavy metals.

METHODS

Seventeen autistic patients, between 6 and 16 years old (average: 11.52 DS: 3.20) (15 males and 2 females), were investigated, as well as 20 non autistic subjects from neuropsychiatric service between 6 and 16 years (average: 10.41 DS: 3.20) (15 males and 2 females). In both groups blood, urine and hair samples were analysed trough means of a semiquantitative analysis of heavy metal dosing. The metals analysed were Lead, mercury, cadmium and aluminium, since their build-up may give both neurological and psychiatric symptoms.

RESULTS

The comparison of the mean values of the concentrations between the groups, performed with ANOVA test, has shown no statistically relevant differences.

CONCLUSION

There wasn't correlation between autism and heavy metal concentration.

Circulating levels of metals are related to carotid atherosclerosis in elderly

The aim of this study was to investigate if blood levels of trace and/or heavy metals are related to atherosclerosis in a cross-sectional study in elderly. In the population-based Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study (1016 subjects, all aged 70), the prevalence of carotid artery plaques was recorded by ultrasound. The numbers of carotid arteries with plaques (0, 1 or 2) were recorded. Also the thickness (IMT) and gray scale (IM-GSM) of the intima-media complex were measured together with plaque echogenicity. Eleven heavy metals and trace elements were analyzed in whole blood, using inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry. Nickel levels were related to the number of carotid arteries with plaques in an inverted U-shaped manner after multiple adjustment for gender, waist circumference, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL and LDL cholesterol, serum triglycerides, smoking, antihypertensive treatment and statin use (p=0.026). IM-GSM and plaque echogenicity were both inversely related to chromium in a linear fashion, and to aluminum in an inverted U-shaped manner (both p<0.0001 for IM-GSM). The relationships between metals and IMT were modest. Circulating levels of some metals, like nickel, aluminum and chromium, were related to atherosclerotic plaques or the echogenicity of the IM-GSM and overt plaques independently of cardiovascular risk factors, including lipids.

Effects of aluminum exposure on the adherence, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis capacity of peritoneal macrophages in rats

To investigate the effects of aluminum (Al) exposure on peritoneal macrophages of Wistar rats, four groups of ten rats each were orally exposed to 0, 13, 26, and 52 mg kg(-1) Al(3+) in form of aluminum trichloride (AlCl(3)) in drinking water for 120 days. At the end of the experimental period, the Al concentration in serum, the adherence, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis capacity of peritoneal macrophages were determined. The results showed that the Al concentration in serum significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner; the adherence, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis capacity of peritoneal macrophages decreased with the increase of Al dose, and present a dose-effective relationship. Further, they were significantly lower in the high-dose groups (P < 0.01) compared with the control group. It indicates that Al was toxic to peritoneal macrophages of rats, and the adherence, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis capacity of peritoneal macrophages in rats were significantly suppressed by exposure to 52 mg kg(-1) day Al(3+).

Trace elements in obese Turkish children

The quality of the diet of obese children is poor. Eating habits may alter micronutrient status in obese patients. In this study, we determined the serum levels of selenium, zinc, vanadium, molybdenum, iron, copper, beryllium, boron, chromium, manganese, cobalt, silver, barium, aluminum, nickel, cadmium, mercury, and lead in obese Turkish children. Thirty-four obese and 33 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum vanadium and cobalt levels of obese children were significantly lower than those of the control group (0.244 ± 0.0179 vs. 0.261 ± 0.012 μg/l, p < 0.001, and 0.14 ± 0.13 vs. 0.24 ± 0.15 μg/l, p = 0.011, respectively). There was no significant difference between groups regarding the other serum trace element levels. In conclusion, there may be alterations in the serum levels of trace elements in obese children and these alterations may have a role in the pathogenesis of obesity.

Effects of in-feed inclusion of clinoptilolite on blood serum concentrations of aluminium and inorganic phosphorus and on ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid concentrations in dairy cows

The experiment investigated the effects of the dietary inclusion of 200 g of the natural zeolite, clinoptilolite on the blood serum concentrations of aluminium (Al) and inorganic phosphorus (P) as well as on the ruminal pH and the ruminal concentrations of Al and P and of certain volatile fatty acids. Sixteen Holstein cows with a rumen fistula were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A cows (n = 8) were fed the basal ration supplemented with 200 g of clinoptilolite per day, and group B cows (n = 8) were fed the basal ration and served as controls. Blood and rumen fluid samples were collected at the same day of each week and at the same time (5 h after morning feeding) for 12 weeks. Clinoptilolite supplementation had no significant effect on ruminal and blood serum concentrations of Al and P. However, clinoptilolite significantly increased ruminal pH and acetate, and decreased ruminal propionate and valerate.

Serum-cobalt levels with metal-on-metal bearings in the cement-free total hip arthroplasty results covering two years; prospective study

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Total hip arthroplasty increases the use of alternate bearings to prevent polyethylene wear as the number of younger and more active patients has drastically risen. We carried out a prospective randomized study, to assess and compare clinical results and radiological changes, serum-cobalt- and serum-aluminium-levels when metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic bearings are applicated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

After giving informed consent 80 consecutive patients were included in this prospective randomized study. They were randomly assigned to receive either a metal-on-metal or a ceramic-on-ceramic bearing in their total hip replacement. Eligible were patients with a primary coxarthrosis or an avascular necrosis of the head of femur. Of the 80 patients 54 were females and 26 males. 42 patients were randomized to a metal-on-metal bearing and 38 patients were randomized to a ceramic-on-ceramic bearing. The average patient-age was 65,8 years and the mean body mass index was 27,7 at the time of operation. Surgery was performed through a transgluteal approach in supine position under general or spinal anaesthesia. A forged conical threaded acetabular component made of titanium-aluminium-niobium alloy was used in all patients. The metal inlays and the 28 mm metal heads were made of Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy with a carbon content of 0,2%. The ceramic inlays and the 28 mm ceramic heads are Al2O3 implants. We used as femoral component a conical rectangular stem of a titanium-aluminium-niobium alloy. Cup and stem werde implanted cementfree. Clinical data werde obtained at a follow up at a minimum of two years after implantation. Patients were assessed with the Harris Hip Score and the University of California at Los Angeles activity scale. 72 of the 80 patients could be explored clinically and radiologically.

RESULTS

The 2 year follow up check showed clinically and radiologically no difference between the two groups. The median Harris HipScore was above 90 points and the UCLA score was about 7 points. The medium serum-cobalt level was in the metal-on-metal group about 1.2μg/L and in the ceramic-on-ceramic group below the detection limit. The medium serum aluminium level showed values of 1.2 respectively 1.3 μg/L. The luminescencies in the metal-on-metal group were increased, but all components of the prosthesis could be regarded as stable.

DISCUSSION

It was the goal of our prospective study to compare clinical and radiological results of hip arthroplasty in metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic bearings and assess the serum-cobalt and the serum-aluminium levels. The socalled "biocorrosion" is still a high risk element for loosening of implants because of aseptic osteolysis. A higher release of polyethylene and metal particles is triggered, which leads to a slow but continuous process of inflammation. Apart from the debris also metal ions in a higher concentration are released, so that we could detect after some years in patients with artificial implants a higher level of metal in blood and urine. So far we did not recognize any carcinogenity or the appearance of renal disorders, or other mutagene effects in our patients. We could also not observe any fractures in ceramic implants. We are convinced that short time and intermediate reports are necessary, although final judgement can only be based on long term data.

CONCLUSION

Our prospective randomized study showed after two years no difference clinically between the two groups of metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic bearings with total endoprostheses of the hip. Although medium serum-cobalt level in the metal-on-metal group with 1,2u/L is a significant higher value, whereas it lies in the ceramic-on-ceramic group below the detectable limit.

Effects of multivitamin/mineral supplementation on trace element levels in serum and follicular fluid of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)

We investigated effects of multivitamin/mineral supplementation on element levels in serum and follicular fluid of women undergoing IVF. We used three groups in this study. The first group was used as an age-matched and nonpregnant control (n = 13). Group 2 (n = 30) constituted the IVF group and women in the third group who were undergoing IVF also received a multivitamin/mineral tablet daily for 45 days. Follicular fluid and serum selenium and zinc levels and follicular fluid copper levels were lower in IVF patients than in controls although follicular fluid aluminum and iron levels were higher in IVF patients than in controls. However, follicular fluid and serum aluminum, copper, zinc and selenium levels, and serum magnesium levels were higher in the multivitamin/mineral group than in the IVF group although follicular fluid iron levels were lower in the multivitamin/mineral group than in the IVF group. In conclusion, we observed that copper, zinc, and selenium in serum and follicular fluid decreased in women undergoing IVF. Multivitamin/mineral supplementation in serum and follicular fluid of women undergoing IVF normalized the trace element levels.

Health risk assessment of workers exposed to metals from an aluminium production plant

OBJECTIVE

Foundry is an industry involved various kinds of metals and chemicals. Workers who work in foundry industry are at risk of exposure to these metals and chemicals. Objective of this study was to conduct quantitative health risk assessment for workers who exposed to metals from an aluminium production industry.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The U.S. National Academy of Sciences' four steps of health risk assessment were used to conduct quantitative health risk assessment in this study.

RESULTS

This study showed that there were 6 types of metals involved in the aluminium foundry in this study. These metals could cause various health effects but not cancers. Workers were mostly exposed to these metals by inhalation. Calculated reference dose (RfD) for inhalation of aluminium used in this assessment was 0.000015 mg/kg/day. Calculated RID for inhalation of manganese used in this assessment was 0.000002 mg/kg/day. Calculated RfD for inhalation of copper used in this assessment was 0.000028 mg/kg/day. Calculated RID for inhalation of zinc used in this assessment was 0.000083 mg/ kg/day. Calculated RID for inhalation of magnesium used in this assessment was 0.949833 mg/kg/day. Calculated RID for inhalation of iron used in this assessment was 10.6219 mg/kg/day. Maximum daily doses (MDDs) for workers who exposed to metals measured in this foundry were 0, 0, 0.000463, 0.0000927, 0.000162 and 0 mg/kg/day for manganese, zinc, aluminium, iron, magnesium and copper, respectively. Finally, risk characterization for workers exposed to metals in this aluminium foundry showed that workers in this foundry had 31 times higher risk of developing diseases from aluminium than persons who were not exposed to aluminium. These workers had the same risk of developing diseases from other metals and chemicals as persons who were not exposed to those metals and chemicals.

CONCLUSION

Workers who exposed to aluminium in this aluminium production plant had 31 times risk of developing non-carcinogenic effects from aluminium compared with normal persons. Therefore, appropriate preventive measures should be applied to protect workers.

Differences in metal ion release following cobalt-chromium and oxidized zirconium total knee arthroplasty

Ions are released from all metals after implantation in the body through processes of corrosive and mechanical wear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum metal ion levels are raised in patients following total knee arthroplasty. Serum levels of chromium, cobalt, aluminium, molybdenum and zirconium were measured in two groups of patients at a minimum of 3 years after knee arthroplasty. Twenty three patients had a cobalt-chromium femoral component and 14 patients had an oxidized zirconium femoral component, acting as a control group as this femoral component is free from cobalt and chromium. All patients had the same titanium tibial base plates, and no patellae were resurfaced. Despite the lack of cobalt and chromium in the prostheses used in the control group, no statistically significant differences in serum cobalt and chromium ion levels were found between the groups. On the basis of these results there does not appear to be any significant rise in serum metal ion levels following total knee arthroplasty several years after implantation.

Environmental exposure to lead, but not other neurotoxic metals, relates to core elements of ADHD in Romanian children: performance and questionnaire data

Neurobehavioral measures of attention, and clinical features of the attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been studied in pediatric environmental lead research. However rarely, if ever, have performance measures of attention or executive functions and questionnaire-based quantitative ADHD-observations been studied in the same subjects. We examined associations between pediatric blood lead concentrations (PbB), as well as those of mercury (Hg), and aluminum (Al), and performance in four different attention tasks, as well as behavioral ratings from an ICD-10 (hyperactivity) and DSM-IV-coded (attention deficit) German questionnaire (FBB-ADHS). Asymptomatic, 8-12 year old children from two Romanian cities were studied, namely Bucharest and Pantelimon, a city near a metal-processing plant. Blood was analyzed for Pb, Al, and Hg. Data from 83 children were available for final analysis. We assessed attention performance by means of four tasks of the computer-based ADHD-taylored German KITAP-battery. We also received questionnaire ratings from parents and teachers covering three ADHD-dimensions. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to estimate associations between the three neurotoxic trace metals in blood and the different ADHD features. After adjusting for eleven potentially confounding variables we found consistent borderline to significant associations between Pb, but not other metals, in blood and various performance- and questionnaire data. False alarm responses (FAR) in the KITAP subtests rather than response latencies exhibited positive associations with PbB. Questionnaire ratings for ADHD dimensions also revealed PbB-related adversity. With any two-fold increase of PbB outcome changed markedly, namely up to 35%. Restriction to children with PbBs<10mug/dl had only a marginal influence on outcome.The converging evidence from performance- and questionnaire data confirms that core elements of ADHD are adversely affected by low environmental PbB even below 10mug/dl, but not by other neurotoxic trace metals. Observed effect-sizes are considerably larger than those typically found for lead-related IQ-deficit, thus suggesting that attention deficit could be the more basic adverse effect of lead in children. This is the first study from Central and Eastern Europe dealing with links between environmental exposure of children to neurotoxic metals and ADHD.

Effect of high aluminum concentration in water resources on human health, case study: Biga Peninsula, northwest part of Turkey

Widespread and intense zones of silicified, propylitic, and argillic alteration exist as outcrop around the Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey. Most of the springs in the study area surface out from these altered volcanic rocks. The concentrations of aluminum (Al) in these springs ranged from 13.17 to 15.70 ppm in this region. These high levels of Al were found to exceed the maximum allowable limits (0.2 ppm) depicted in national and international standards of drinking water quality. Therefore, the effect of high Al in water resources on human health was evaluated in this research. A total of 273 people aged above 18 years and living in the Kirazli region (whose water supply is from springs emerging from these alteration zones) and in the Ciplak-Halileli region (whose water supply is provided from an alluvium aquifer) were selected as the research group. For this group, a questionnaire was completed that contained questions on descriptive characteristics of humans and a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was administered by the authors using the face-to-face interview technique. A neurological examination was then performed by the neurology specialist as a second-stage investigation. Finally, 10 ml of venous blood samples were obtained from these people as a third-stage analysis to determine the serum Al levels together with vitamin B(12), folic acid, and thyroid-stimulating hormone parameters. The result typically revealed that the MMSE score was less in 31.9% and there was no statistically significant difference between the two regions. However, the result also showed that neuropathy in the history (including a careful past medical history) was significantly higher in the Kirazli region.

Evaluation of bone remodeling in hemodialysis patients: serum biochemistry, circulating cytokines and bone histomorphometry

BACKGROUND

To optimize the noninvasive evaluation of bone remodeling, we evaluated, besides routine serum markers, serum levels of several cytokines involved in bone turnover.

METHODS

A transiliac bone biopsy was performed in 47 hemodialysis patients. Serum levels of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH; 1-84), total alkaline phosphatases (tAP), calcium, phosphate and aluminum (Al) were measured. Circulating levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6r) were determined using ELISA. Circulating IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were simultaneously quantified by flow cytometric immunoassay.

RESULTS

Patients with low/normal bone formation rate (L/N-BFR) had significantly lower serum iPTH (p<0.001) and tAP (p<0.008) and significantly higher Al (p<0.025) than patients with high BFR. Serum calcium and phosphorus, however, did not differ (p=NS). An iPTH >300 pg/mL in association with tAP >120 U/L showed low sensitivity (58.8%) and low negative predictive value (44.0%) for the diagnosis of high BFR disease. An iPTH <300 pg/mL in association with normal or low tAP, <120 U/L, was associated with low sensitivity (66.7%) but high specificity (97.1%) for the diagnosis of L/N-BFR. Serum IL-1, IL-6, IL-12p70 and TNF-alpha were positively correlated with BFR, serum IL1-Ra and IL-10 with bone area, and by multiple regression analysis, tAP and IL-6 were independently predictive of BFR.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant associations were found between several circulating cytokines and bone histomorphometry in dialysis patients. The usefulness of these determinations in the noninvasive evaluation of bone remodeling needs to be confirmed in larger dialysis populations.

Physiology-based modelling in radiation research: the biokinetics of plutonium

For many years, the biokinetics of radioactive substances was calculated on the basis of mathematical criteria only. Biokinetic compartments in most cases did not correspond to anatomically defined distribution areas in an organism but were operational values. However, the quality of the resulting models depends on how accurately their assumptions reflect reality. Ideally, a biokinetic model develops which reproduces reality. In the past few years, this need has resulted increasingly in physiological operational sequences being modelled in realistic anatomical structures of the body along with physicochemical parameters. In this study, an estimate of the biokinetic operational sequence after an incorporation of plutonium is made similar to the pharmacokinetics of a substance showing comparable chemical and physiological behaviours in the body. These behaviours are found for metals, iron and aluminium. Thus, comparison of the biokinetics of plutonium with the pharmacokinetics of aluminium results in some commonalities and some differences. A new model with physiological compartments for plutonium is presented on the basis of the biokinetics of aluminium.

Serum aluminum level correlates with arterial stiffness in haemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

In addition to pulse wave velocity (PWV), serum aluminum level is predictive of mortality in haemodialysis (HD) patients. This cross-sectional study evaluated the correlations between serum aluminum and brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV).

METHODS

One hundred twenty-seven HD patients (average age 58.46 +/- 9.95 years) were enrolled. Medical data were obtained via chart reviews and hospital database. Associations between biomarker levels and baPWV were analysed by multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

Serum aluminum, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), age, pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are important correlates of baPWV.

CONCLUSION

Further, hsCRP, PP, age and DM are positively related to arterial stiffness in HD patients.