Comparison of Metal Concentrations in Bones of Long-Living Mammals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, and mercury concentrations in the bones of long-living mammals—humans (Homo sapiens) and Canidae (dogs Canis familiaris and foxes Vulpes vulpes) from northwestern Poland and to determine the usefulness of Canidae as bioindicators of environmental exposure to metals in humans. Zinc concentrations in cartilage with adjacent compact bone and in spongy bone were highest in foxes (∼120 mg/kg dry weight (dw)) and lowest in dogs (80 mg/kg dw). Copper concentrations in cartilage with adjacent compact bone were greatest in foxes (1.17 mg/kg dw) and smallest in humans (∼0.8 mg/kg dw), while in spongy bone they were greatest in dogs (0.76 mg/kg dw) and lowest in foxes (0.45 mg/kg dw). Lead concentrations in both analyzed materials were highest in dogs (>3 mg/kg dw) and lowest in humans (>0.6 mg/kg dw). Cadmium concentration, also in both the analyzed materials, were highest in foxes (>0.15 mg/kg dw) and lowest in humans (>0.04 mg/kg dw). Mercury concentration in bones was low and did not exceed 0.004 mg/kg dw in all the examined species. The concentrations of essential metals in the bones of the examined long-living mammals were similar. The different concentrations of toxic metals were due to environmental factors. As bone tissues are used in the assessment of the long-term effects of environmental exposure to heavy metals on the human body, ecotoxicological studies on the bones of domesticated and wild long-living mammals, including Canidae, may constitute a significant supplement to this research.

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Analysis of Trace Elements in Degenerated Intervertebral Disc Tissue

“…Compared to that in IVD, the Pb concentration in bone is up to 2 times higher, with an average of 1.35 mg·kg −1 dw [ 13 ]. The cartilage Pb concentration is lower, with an average of 0.41 mg·kg −1 and range of 0.21–0.65 mg·kg −1 [ 21 ], which is comparable to our results in IVD tissue. Viewing cartilage as a reference, we may conclude that Pb accumulation is not related to end-plate permeability, in contrast to Al.…”

“…Cu concentration is best documented in bone tissue, with average reported concentrations of 0.62 mg·kg −1 dw [ 13 ] and 0.8 mg·kg −1 dw [ 21 ]. Similar Cu concentrations have also been found in cartilage, with an average value of 0.79 mg·kg −1 dw and range of 0.20–1.78 mg·kg −1 .…”

“…The presently determined intervertebral disc zinc concentration (39.9 mg·kg −1 dw) was similar to the levels in PLL (36 mg·kg −1 dw) reported by Kumai et al [ 24 ]. On the other hand, the presently reported IVD concentrations are less than half that of the average concentrations reported in cartilage (88.3 mg·kg −1 ; range, 54.3–163.8 mg·kg −1 dw) [ 13 ] and bone (84.58 mg·kg −1 ; SD 17.68 mg·kg −1 ) [ 21 ].…”

Mechanically Milled Irregular Zinc Nanoparticles for Printable Bioresorbable Electronics

“…Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element that supports immune systems, cell division, and protein synthesis . Beside its biological effects, readily dissolution of Zn in biofluids yields its applications as bioresorbable materials in stent, bone implant, and artificial joint, and has inspired the use of Zn in recent development of bioresorbable electronics (or transient electronics), which operates over a short period of time (from minutes to weeks) and dissolves afterward to generate biologically safe products . Fully bioresorbable electronic devices have been demonstrated both as basic components and as simple, functional circuits with applications ranging from batteries, power scavengers, implantable sensors, and drug delivery beacons, showing great promise toward fully integrated multifunctional transient circuits.…”

Variations of selected trace element contents in two layers of red deer antlers

“…Chemical compounds which are non-or not readily biodegradable are of special concern. This group of pollutants includes toxic elements like lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As), which even in small doses can exert adverse effects on organisms (19).…”