Simultaneous analysis of 25 trace elements in micro volume of human serum by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Challenges in Ultra-Trace Beryllium Analysis: Utilizing Recent Extraction Techniques in Combination with Spectrometric Detection

Beryllium (Be) is one of the most toxic non-radioactive elements on the periodic table, and its presence or intake can negatively impact both the environment and human health. Classified as a carcinogen, Be is dangerous even at trace concentrations, stressing the necessity of developing reliable methods for quantifying it at very low levels. Spectrometric techniques for quantifying Be vary in sensitivity and applicability, with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) being the most sensitive for ultra-trace analysis. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is suitable for higher Be concentrations, but preconcentration techniques can significantly lower detection limits. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) provides enhanced sensitivity for low-level Be quantification, further optimized using pyrolytically coated graphite tubes and chemical modifiers such as Mg(NO3)2 or Pd(NO3)2. Effective separation and preconcentration techniques are essential for reliable Be quantification in complex matrices. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), including single-drop microextraction (SDME) and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), have evolved to reduce the use of hazardous solvents. When combined with ETAAS, surfactant-assisted DLLME using agents like cetylpyridinium ammonium bromide (CPAB) and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) achieves preconcentration factors of approximately 25, reducing LOD to 1 ng/L. Vesicle-mediated DLLME coupled with ETAAS further enhances sensitivity, allowing detection limits as low as 0.01 ng/L in seawater. Cloud-point extraction (CPE), often employing Triton X-114, facilitates Be extraction using complexing agents or nanomaterials like graphene oxide. These advancements are critical for accurately quantifying Be at ultra-trace levels in diverse environmental and biological samples, overcoming challenges posed by low analyte concentrations and matrix interferences.

Investigation of the Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Antioxidant System and Serum Aluminum, Zinc, and Iron Levels in Acute Aluminum Toxicity

Aluminum (Al), one of the three most prevalent metals in the Earth's crust, adversely impacts all metabolic systems of living organisms due to its extensive utilization by humans. It is known that omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3FA) protect the organism against diseases and have positive effects on the immune system. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of ω-3FA on 8-OH-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), glutathione (GSH) levels and adenosine deaminase (ADA), paraoxonase (PON), and catalase (CAT) activities in rats with acute aluminum toxicity. The study also aimed to investigate the antioxidant system, as well as Al, zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) levels. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 40) were used in the study and the rats were divided into four equal groups (n = 10). In group I, 0.5 mL of 0.9% saline solution (NaCI) was injected intraperitoneally. Group II was injected with 34 mg/kg aluminum chloride (AlCI3) intraperitoneally. Group III received 400 mg/kg ω-3FA for 7 days and group IV received both AlCI3 and 400 mg/kg ω-3FA for 7 days. At the end of the study, blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture. The findings showed that Al exposure increased serum 8-OHdG and total oxidant status (TOS) levels, as well as ADA activity, which are markers associated with oxidative damage. Conversely, PON and CAT activities, GSH, and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels decreased compared to the control group. Furthermore, Zn and Fe levels decreased as Al levels increased. In conclusion, Al has the capacity to induce oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation, while ω-3 fatty acids may mitigate this damage through a regulatory mechanism. Moreover, ω-3-FA could be used as a therapeutic agent that reduces Al toxicity.

A Bayesian network for estimating hypertension risk due to occupational aluminum exposure

Background

The correlation between metals and hypertension, such as sodium, zinc, potassium, and magnesium, has been confirmed, while the relationship between aluminum and hypertension is not very clear. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between plasma aluminum and hypertension in electrolytic aluminum workers by the Bayesian networks (BN).

Methods

In 2019, 476 male workers in an aluminum factory were investigated. The plasma aluminum concentration of workers was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The influencing factors on the prevalence of hypertension were analyzed by the BN.

Results

The prevalence of hypertension was 23.9% in 476 male workers. The risk of hypertension from plasma aluminum in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups was 5.20 (1.90-14.25), 6.92 (2.51-19.08), and 7.33 (2.69-20.01), respectively, compared with that in the Q1 group. The risk of hypertension from the duration of exposure to aluminum of >10 years was 2.23 (1.09-4.57), compared without aluminum exposure. Area under the curve was 0.80 of plasma aluminum and the duration of exposure to aluminum was based on covariates, indicating that aluminum exposure had important predictive value in the prevalence of hypertension in the occupational population. The results of the study using the BN model showed that if the plasma aluminum of all participants was higher than Q4 (≥47.86 µg/L) and the participants were drinking, smoking, diabetes, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and aged >50 years, the proportion of hypertension was 71.2%.

Conclusions

The prevalence of hypertension increased significantly with the increase of plasma aluminum level.

Automated rapid solid-phase extraction system for separation and preconcentration of trace elements using carboxymethylated polyethyleneimine-type chelating resin

An automated system for the rapid separation and preconcentration of trace elements was developed. Carboxymethylated polyethyleneimine 600 (CM-PEI600), which is a partially carboxymethylated polyethyleneimine with a molecular weight of 600 Da, was used as a chelating resin to quantitatively recover trace elements under high-flow-rate conditions. For accurately and precisely determining trace elements, even with a rough control of the sample and eluent flow volumes, an internal standardization technique was employed for the solid-phase extraction and separation. A recovery test of the deionized water-based sample solution was conducted using this system, and good results, with a recovery of 92% or higher, were obtained for 11 elements (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti, V, and Zn). Eight elements present in certified groundwater and wastewater reference materials (ES-L-1 and EU-L) were separated and preconcentrated using this system. Almost all the determined values were within their tolerance intervals, and no significant differences were observed between the determined and certified values, demonstrating the validity of this method. The time required for the separation and preconcentration using approximately 100 mL of the sample solution was approximately 6.5 min, and theoretically, the system could be used to preconcentrate 17 samples in an hour because extraction and elution could be conducted simultaneously using two cartridges packed with the chelating resin. Using this system equipped with cartridges packed with CM-PEI600 resin, solid-phase extraction and the separation of multiple elements were performed simultaneously, automatically, and rapidly, enabling the accurate and precise determination of trace elements in environmental water and inorganic salts even by rapidly flowing the sample solutions using peristaltic pumps. Compared to NOBIAS Chelate PA-1, a commercially available chelating resin, the CM-PEI600 resin can recover trace elements even under an extremely high flow rate of approximately 50 mL min^-1.

Low circulatory Fe and Se levels with a higher IL-6/IL-10 ratio provide nutritional immunity in tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) patients show dysregulated immunity, iron metabolism, and anemia. In this study, circulatory cytokines, trace metals, and iron-related proteins (hepcidin, ferroportin, transferrin, Dmt1, Nramp1, ferritin, ceruloplasmin, hemojuvelin, aconitase, and transferrin receptor) were monitored in case (active tuberculosis patients: ATB) and control (non-tuberculosis: NTB and healthy) study populations (n = 72, male: 100%, mean age, 42.94 years; range, 17-83 years). Using serum elemental and cytokine levels, a partial least square discriminate analysis model (PLS-DA) was built, which clustered ATB patients away from NTB and healthy controls. Based on the PLS-DA variable importance in projection (VIP) score and analysis of variance (ANOVA), 13 variables were selected as important biosignatures [IL-18, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-5, IL-12 (p70), IL-1β, copper, zinc, selenium, iron, and aluminum]. Interestingly, low iron and selenium levels and high copper and aluminum levels were observed in ATB subjects. Low circulatory levels of transferrin, ferroportin, and hemojuvelin with higher ferritin and ceruloplasmin levels observed in ATB subjects demonstrate an altered iron metabolism, which partially resolved upon 6 months of anti-TB therapy. The identified biosignature in TB patients demonstrated perturbed iron homeostasis with anemia of inflammation, which could be useful targets for the development of host-directed adjunct therapeutics.

The Role of Reduced Glutathione on the Activity of Adenosine Deaminase, Antioxidative System, and Aluminum and Zinc Levels in Experimental Aluminum Toxicity

Aluminum (Al) is one of the most abundant element in the world. But aluminum exposure and accumulation causes serious diseases, related with free radicals. Reduced glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide with intracellular antioxidant effects. This study aimed to investigate the role of GSH on adenosine deaminase (ADA), antioxidant system, and aluminum and zinc (Zn) levels in acute aluminum toxicity. In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 32) were used. The rats were divided into four equal groups (n = 8). Group I received 0.5 mL intraperitoneal injection of 0.9% saline solution (NaCI), Group II received single-dose AlCI₃, Group III was given GSH for seven days, and Group IV was given AlCI₃ single dose, and at the same time, 100 mg/kg GSH was given for seven days. At the end of the trial, blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and Zn levels were lower in the aluminum-administered group than the control group. In contrast, plasma total oxidant status (TOS) and aluminum concentrations and ADA activity were found higher in the aluminum-administered group than in the control group. Unlike the other groups, group GSH administrated with aluminum was similar to the control group. As a result, GSH administration has a regulatory effect on ADA activity, antioxidant system, and Zn levels in experimental aluminum toxicity. In addition, GSH may reduce the oxidant capacity increased by Al administration and may have a tolerant role on the accumulated serum Al levels. But long-term experimental Al toxicity studies are needed to reach a firm conclusion.

Association between bone trace elements and osteoporosis in older adults: a cross-sectional study

Objectives:

Metal micronutrients deficiency may be one of the risk factors for the development of osteoporosis. This study aimed to measure the trace element contents in human bone tissue to analyze the relationship between micronutrients and osteoporosis.

Design:

A cross-sectional survey was performed on data from 51 elderly patients with proximal femoral fracture.

Methods:

The concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc in bone tissue samples from 51 elderly patients with proximal femoral fracture were determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDX). Subjects were divided into osteoporosis and non-osteoporosis groups according to their bone mineral density (BMD) T-score values. The difference in metal elements concentrations in bone tissue between the two groups was compared, and the role of metal elements in osteoporosis was discussed.

Results:

There was no statistical difference in age, sex, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, biochemical blood indices, and bone turnover markers between the two groups. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the difference in metal elements concentrations in bone tissue samples between the two groups. The results showed that manganese, copper, and zinc concentrations in the cancellous bone were significantly higher in the non-osteoporosis group than in the osteoporosis group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that high bone zinc concentration [odds ratio = 0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.075–0.928, p = 0.038] was negatively correlated with osteoporosis.

Conclusion:

Manganese, copper, and zinc play an essential role in bone mineralization and metabolism. Among them, zinc may be most closely related to osteoporosis and play a key role in bone development and maintenance of bone mass. Therefore, we believe that the design of zinc-rich compounds or nutrients as a new complementary factor to increase the intake of zinc for the elderly could be able to prevent and intervene in the occurrence of osteoporosis in the early stage.

Heavy metals controlling cardiovascular diseases risk factors in myocardial infarction patients in critically environmentally heavy metal-polluted steel industrial town Mandi-Gobindgarh (India)

Heavy metals (HMs) have a very significant clinical role in the pathogenesis, progression and management of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The prevalence of CVDs was reported to be higher in critically environmentally HM-polluted (EHMP) steel industrial town Mandi-Gobindgarh (India) for the last more than a decade. To ascertain the role of HMs in the onset of CVDs, the present study was chosen to investigate HMs content in myocardial infarction (MI) patients from EHMP steel industrial town Mandi-Gobindgarh. Total of 110 MI patients along with number- and age-matched healthy volunteers were recruited in the present investigation. The CVDs risk factors estimated in MI patients were overweight (higher body mass index), hypertension (higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures), dyslipidaemia (higher serum cholesterol, triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol), inflammation (higher-serum C reactive protein and aldosterone) and elevated oxidative stress (higher urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine). An imbalance of serum electrolyte concentrations including Na (hypernatremia), Ca (hypercalcaemia) and K (hypokalaemia) was also observed in MI patients in which CVDs risk factors were found to correlate positively with serum Na and Ca and negatively with serum K, respectively. Hair HM analysis was used as a bio-indicator for monitoring body HM status from past environmental HM exposure in which CVDs risk factors were observed to correlate positively with higher hair concentrations of Zn, Fe, Mo, Pb, As, Ca and Na and negatively with lower hair concentrations of Cu, Mg, Mn and K in MI patients, respectively. Thus, higher hair concentrations of Zn and Pb indicate their higher environmental exposure and possible cause of higher CVDs risk factors in MI patients from Mandi-Gobindgarh.

Blood pressure mediated the effects of cognitive function impairment related to aluminum exposure in Chinese aluminum smelting workers

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects that the Al on blood pressure and the effect of hypertension in aluminum-induced cognitive impairment in electrolytic aluminum worker.

METHODS

The study was conducted 392 male aluminum electrolytic workers in an aluminum plant of China. The concentration of alumina dust in the air of the electrolytic aluminum workshop is 1.07mg/m3-2.13mg/m3. According to the Permissible concentration-Time Weighted Average of alumina dust is 4mg/ m3, which does not exceed the standard. The blood pressure of the workers was measured. The plasma aluminum concentration of workers was determined by ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). Cognitive functions were measured using MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination), VFT (Verbal Fluency Test), ATIME (Average Reaction Time), FOM (Fuld Object Memory Evaluation), DST (Digit Span Test), CDT (Clock Drawing Test) scales. Modified Poisson regression was used to analyze the risk of hypertension and cognitive impairment with different plasma aluminum concentrations. Generalized linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship between aluminum and cognitive function, blood pressure and cognitive function. Causal Mediation Analysis was used to analyze the mediation effect of blood press in aluminum-induced cognitive impairment.

RESULTS

Plasma aluminum appeared to be a risk factor for hypertension (PR (prevalence ratio) = 1.630, 95%-CI (confidence interval): 1.103 to 2.407), systolic blood pressure (PR = 1.578, 95%-CI: 1.038 to 2.399) and diastolic blood pressure (PR = 1.842, 95%-CI: 1.153 to 2.944). And plasma aluminum increased by e-fold, the scores of MMSE and VFT decreased by 0.630 and 2.231 units respectively and the time of ATIME increased by 0.029 units. In addition, generalized linear regression model showed that blood press was negatively correlated with the scores of MMSE and VFT. Finally, causal Mediation Analysis showed that hypertension was a part of the mediating factors of aluminum-induced decline in MMSE score, and the mediating effects was 16.300% (7.100%, 33.200%). In addition, hypertension was a part of the mediating factors of aluminum-induced decline in VFT score, and the mediating effects was 9.400% (2.600%, 29.000%) CONCLUSION: Occupational aluminum exposure increases the risk of hypertension and cognitive impairment. And hypertension may be a mediating factor of cognitive impairment caused by aluminum exposure.

Vero cells gain renal tubule markers in low-calcium and magnesium chemically defined media

In this study, a chemically defined, animal component-free media was developed to promote Vero growth in suspension. Key media compounds were screened using Plackett–Burman styled experiments to create a media formulation to support suspension growth. Vero cells remained viable in suspension, but their growth rate was extremely low, conversely, other cell types such as CHO-K1, MDCK and HEK293T were able to grow in single cell suspension in the same media. To investigate the slow growth of Vero cells, RNA-seq analysis was conducted. Vero cells were cultured in three different conditions: adherently in serum-containing medium, adherently in in-house medium, and in suspension in low calcium and magnesium in-house medium. This study illustrates that adherent cells maintain similar gene expression, while the suspension phenotype tends to overexpress genes related to renal tubules.

ICP-MS Multi-Elemental Analysis of the Human Meninges Collected from Sudden Death Victims in South-Eastern Poland

Metals perform many important physiological functions in the human body. The distribution of elements in different tissues is not uniform. Moreover, some structures can be the site of an accumulation of essential or toxic metals, leading to multi-directional intracellular damage. In the nervous system, these disorders are especially dangerous. Metals dyshomeostasis has been linked to a variety of neurological disorders which end up leading to permanent injuries. The multi-elemental composition of the human brain is still the subject of numerous investigations and debates. In this study, for the first time, the meninges, i.e., the dura mater and the arachnoid, were examined for their elemental composition by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Tissue samples were collected post mortem from those who died suddenly as a result of suicide (n = 20) or as a result of injuries after an accident (n = 20). The interactions between 51 elements in both groups showed mainly weak positive correlations, which dominated the arachnoid mater compared to the dura mater. The study showed differences in the distribution of some elements within the meninges in the studied groups. The significant differences concerned mainly metals from the lanthanide family (Ln), macroelements (Na, K, Ca, Mg), a few micronutrients (Co), and toxic cadmium (Cd). The performed evaluation of the elemental distribution in the human meninges sheds new light on the trace metals metabolism in the central nervous system, although we do not yet fully understand the role of the human meninges.

Elemental Testing Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry in Clinical Laboratories

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to describe the principles underlying different types of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and major technical advancements that reduce spectral interferences, as well as their suitability and wide applications in clinical laboratories.

METHODS

A literature survey was performed to review the technical aspects of ICP-MS, ICP-MS/MS, high-resolution ICP-MS, and their applications in disease diagnosis and monitoring.

RESULTS

Compared to the atomic absorption spectrometry and ICP-optical emission spectrometry, ICP-MS has advantages including improved precision, sensitivity and accuracy, wide linear dynamic range, multielement measurement capability, and ability to perform isotopic analysis. Technical advancements, such as collision/reaction cells, triple quadrupole ICP-MS, and sector-field ICP-MS, have been introduced to improve resolving power and reduce interferences. Cases are discussed that highlight the clinical applications of ICP-MS including determination of toxic elements, quantification of nutritional elements, monitoring elemental deficiency in metabolic disease, and multielement analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

This review provides insight on the strategies of elemental analysis in clinical laboratories and demonstrates current and emerging clinical applications of ICP-MS.

Trace Element Analysis in Whole Blood and Plasma for Reference Levels in a Selected Queensland Population, Australia

The levels of trace elements in whole blood and plasma have been widely used for assessing nutritional status and monitoring exposure and can vary widely in populations from different geographical regions. In this study, whole blood samples (n = 120) and plasma samples (n = 120) were obtained from healthy donors attending the Red Cross Blood Bank (Queensland Red Cross Blood Service), which provided information for age and sex. There were 71 males (age range: 19-73 years) and 49 females (age range: 18-72 years) for whole blood samples, and 59 males (age range: 19-81 years) and 61 females (age range: 19-73 years) for plasma samples. The main aim of the study was to provide information on blood reference levels of 21 trace elements (Ag, Al, As, Bi, Br, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, I, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, U, V, Zn) in Queensland. The study also aimed to assess differences in trace element blood levels between males and females and the effect of age. The trace element levels in blood samples were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the standard reference materials of Seronorm (Trace Elements Whole Blood) and UTAK (Trace Elements Serum) were used for quality control and assurance. The study found wide variations of trace element levels in whole blood and plasma, and generally the levels were comparable to other countries. No detectable levels were found for Bi, Cr, U and V in whole blood, but V levels were found in plasma samples. There were significant differences between males and females for whole blood Cu (p < 0.001), I (p = 0.009), Tl (p = 0.016) and Zn (p = 0.016). Significant differences were also found for plasma Cu (p < 0.001) and Se (p = 0.003) between males and females. There were trends of increased levels of blood Pb, Se and Zn with age. The study has provided further information on a wide range of trace elements in blood as reference levels for Queensland and Australia which are currently lacking.