Accumulation of rare earth elements in human bone within the lifespan

Abstract

For the first time, the contents of rare earth elements (REEs) in a rib bone of a healthy human were determined. The mean value of the contents of Ce, Dy, Er, Gd, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, and Yb (10 elements out of 17 total REEs), as well as the upper limit of means for Ho, Lu, Tm, and Y (4 elements) were measured in the rib bone tissue of 38 females and 42 males (15 to 55 years old) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). We found age-related accumulation of REEs in the bone tissue of healthy individuals who lived in a non-industrial region. It was calculated that during a lifespan the content of REEs in a skeleton of non-industrial region residents may increase by one to two orders of magnitude. Using our results as indicative normal values and published data we estimated relative Gd accumulation in the bone tissue of patients according to magnetic resonance imaging with contrast agent and La accumulation in the bone tissue of patients receiving hemodialysis after treatment with lanthanum carbonate as a phosphate binder. It was shown that after such procedures contents of Gd and La in the bone tissue of patients are two to three orders of magnitude higher than normal levels. In our opinion, REEs incorporation may affect bone quality and health similar to other potentially toxic trace metals. The impact of elevated REEs content on bone physiology, biochemistry and morphology requires further investigation.

A radio-theranostic nanoparticle with high specific drug loading for cancer therapy and imaging

“…177 Lu-LCP shows significant accumulation in the tumor, as well as accumulation in the nanoparticle clearing organs, the liver and spleen, as it is too large to clear renally. In contrast, free 177 Lu is an ion that is plenty small to clear through the kidneys, but also selectively accumulates in the bones, as lanthanide elements are known to do [16]. Free 177 Lu also shows some kidney accumulation, which may occur during the quick renal clearance of the element (Figure 4B).…”

The Characteristics, Occurrence, and Geochemical Behavior of Rare Earth Elements in the Environment: A Review

“…Zhu et al (2005) suggested that long-term ingestion of REE had an influence on activities of some digestive enzymes, bringing about malabsorption and indigestion, which might further lead to a low-protein effect among the villagers of South Jangxi Province, China. In addition, the lighter REE tend to deposit in the liver (Zhu et al, 2005), whereas the heavier REE, in turn, in a rib bone due to their affinity to Ca 2+ (Zaichick et al, 2011). Zhu et al (1996cited after Fedele et al (2008) found a correlation between the high REE contents and the low intelligence quotient (IQ) among children.…”

Magnesium degradation observed in situ under flow by synchrotron radiation based microtomography

“…This indicates an incorporation in the formed degradation products (most likely calcium phosphates) and to a much lesser extend a release to the environment than theoretically possible. This behavior was observed in other studies 36 and can be attributed to rare earth elements being known to be "Bone homing" elements in vivo by replacing calcium in the crystal lattice of newly formed bone [37][38][39] .…”