Disturbed Ratios between Essential and Toxic Trace Elements as Potential Biomarkers of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Background: Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are known to be two of the metal contaminants that pose the greatest potential threat to human health. The purpose of this research study was to compare the levels of toxic metals (Cd, Pb) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), with a control group in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland. The study also aimed to assess the correlations between toxic metals and clinical data in AIS patients, and to assess the potential effect of smoking. Materials and methods: The levels of mineral components in the collected blood samples were assessed by means of atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Results: The Cd blood concentration was significantly higher in AIS patients as compared to the control group. We found that the molar ratios of Cd/Zn and Cd/Pb were significantly higher (p < 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively), when the molar ratios of Se/Pb, Se/Cd, and Cu/Cd were significantly lower (p = 0.01; p < 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively), in AIS patients as compared to control subjects. However, there were no considerable fluctuations in relation to the blood Pb concentration or molar ratios of Zn/Pb and Cu/Pb between our AIS patients and the control group. We also found that patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) atherosclerosis, particularly those with 20–50% ICA stenosis, had higher concentrations of Cd and Cd/Zn, but lower Cu/Cd and Se/Cd molar ratios. In the course of our analysis, we observed that current smokers among AIS patients had significantly higher blood-Cd concentrations, Cd/Zn and Cd/Pb molar ratios, and hemoglobin levels, but significantly lower HDL-C concentrations, Se/Cd, and Cu/Cd molar ratios. Conclusions: Our research has shown that the disruption of the metal balance plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AIS. Furthermore, our results broaden those of previous studies on the exposure to Cd and Pb as risk factors for AIS. Further investigations are necessary to examine the probable mechanisms of Cd and Pb in the onset of ischemic stroke. The Cd/Zn molar ratio may be a useful biomarker of atherosclerosis in AIS patients. An accurate assessment of changes in the molar ratios of essential and toxic trace elements could serve as a valuable indicator of the nutritional status and levels of oxidative stress in AIS patients. It is critical to investigate the potential role of exposure to metal mixtures in AIS, due to its public health implications.

Integrative Approaches in Acute Ischemic Stroke: From Symptom Recognition to Future Innovations

“…Regarding the Podlaskie Voivodeship region in Poland, comprehensive examinations analyzing toxic metals in AIS patients appear scant. Our current findings underline the critical public health ramifications, spotlighting a notable trace element imbalance in acute ischemic stroke patients [18]. Of notable significance from our study was the discovery that even at moderately low exposure levels, elevated blood Cd concentrations substantially influence ischemic stroke onset.…”

“…Research is increasingly showcasing heavy metal exposure as a potential stroke risk factor, with emerging studies linking elevated blood-Cd levels to higher stroke occurrences. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis even suggest chronic exposure to metals like Pb, Cd, and Cu might elevate stroke risk [18].…”

Determination and evaluation of trace elements in the blood of radiography workers using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

“…Many risk factors, including smoking and hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, and DM illnesses, can raise the body's levels of elements. A diagnostic for prolonged exposure, an increase in blood trace element values revealed the body's stress [17,18]. The best way to determine the exposure to hazardous elements (like Lead) that cling tightly to intracellular proteins is to analyze serum [19,20].…”

Global, regional, and national burdens of atrial fibrillation/flutter from 1990 to 2019: An age-period-cohort analysis using the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study

“…Importantly, we also found that AF/AFL mortality and DALYs attributable to lead exposure are on the rise in low-and low-middle-SDI countries for both male and female populations. Previous studies determined that lead exposure was strongly associated with hypertension [23], acute ischemic stroke [24], and heart failure [25], and that reducing lead exposure can result in substantial advantages for the adult population [26]. Lead exposure should be a prioritised topic, especially in nations and regions with a low or low-middle SDI.…”