Elements in the Hair of Non-Mining Workers of a Lignite Open Mine in Neyveli

et al. 2013

Clinica Chimica Acta

Background: The essential metals, chromium (Cr), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn), are necessary for many metabolic processes and their homeostasis is crucial for life. The toxic metals, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), have no beneficial role in human metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of Cd, Cr, Mg, Mn, Pb, and Zn in scalp hair samples of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients of both genders, ages ranging from 30 to 50 y, and belong to urban areas of Ireland and Pakistan. For comparison purposes, age matched non-diabetic subjects of both countries were selected as referents. Methods: The concentrations of metals in scalp hair samples were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer and atomic absorption spectrophotometer after microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of the methodology were checked by conventional wet-acid-digestion method and using certified reference materials. Results: The mean values of Cd and Pb were significantly higher in scalp hair samples of both Pakistani and Irish diabetic patients as compared to referents of both countries (P<0.001). In contrast, lower Cr, Mg, Mn, and Zn (P<0.01) concentrations were detected in scalp hair derived from patients with type 2 diabetes versus healthy subjects of both countries. Conclusion: This study showed that, increased toxic elements and decreased essential elements are associated with diabetes mellitus. Therefore, these elements may play a role in the development and pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Comparative metal distribution in scalp hair of Pakistani and Irish referents and diabetes mellitus patients

et al. 2013

Clinica Chimica Acta

“…The concentrations of essential trace and toxic elements in scalp hair samples of the Irish referent subjects were close to those reported from other European [32][33][34][35][36][37][38], American [39][40][41][42], and Australian [43] countries (Table 9). The elemental concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Ni in Pakistani referents were almost higher than in European countries, which is in agreement with the studies which were done in Asian [44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58] and African [59][60][61][62][63] countries (Table 9). …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Comparative Metal Distribution in Scalp Hair of Pakistani and Irish Referents and Hypertensive Patients

et al. 2011

Biol Trace Elem Res

The abnormal metabolism of metal ions plays an important role in health and disease conditions, and studies about them have been attracting significant interest. The aim of our study was to assess the heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) in scalp hair samples of 50 Irish and 78 Pakistani hypertensive patients of an urban population together with 50 fish and 96 Pakistani non-hypertensive male subjects in the age group of 30-50 years. The concentrations of trace and toxic elements were measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrophotometer and atomic absorption spectrophotometer before microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of the methodology were checked using certified reference materials, and by the conventional wet acid digestion method on the same certified reference materials and on real samples. The recovery of all the studied elements was found to be in the range of 97.5-99.7% in certified reference material. The results of this study showed that the mean values of cadmium, nickel, and lead were significantly higher in scalp hair samples of both Pakistani and Irish hypertensive patients than in referents (p<0.001), whereas, the concentration of zinc was lower in the scalp hair samples of hypertensive patients of both genders. The deficiency of zinc and the high exposure of trace and toxic metals may be the risk factors associated with hypertension.

“…The con-centrations of essential trace and toxic elements in scalp hair samples of the Irish referent subjects were close to those reported from other European [36][37][38][39][40][41][42], American [43][44][45], and Australian [46] countries (Table 7). The elemental con-centrations of Cd and Pb in Pakistani referents were almost higher than in European countries, which are in agreement with the studies carried out in Asian [2,[47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59] and African countries [60][61][62][63][64] (Table 7).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Interaction Between Zinc, Cadmium, and Lead in Scalp Hair Samples of Pakistani and Irish Smokers Rheumatoid Arthritis Subjects in Relation to Controls

et al. 2012

Biol Trace Elem Res

The incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with cigarette smoking. The aim of our study was to assess the trace essential and toxic metals, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), in scalp hair samples of 32 Irish and 46 Pakistani smokers and non-smokers RA male patients with age range 42-56 years. For comparison purpose, the scalp hair samples of 27 Irish and 55 Pakistani non-RA male subjects of the same age group were collected. The concentrations of trace and toxic elements were measured by inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer and atomic absorption spectrophotometer prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of the methodology was checked using certified reference materials and using conventional wet acid digestion method on the same certified reference materials (CRMs). The recovery of all studied elements was found to be in the range of 97.5-99.7% of certified reference values of CRMs. The results of this study showed that the mean values of Cd and Pb were significantly higher in scalp hair samples of both smoker and non-smoker RA patients than in referents (P<0.001), whereas the concentration of Zn was lower in the scalp hair samples of smokers and non-smokers rheumatoid arthritis patients. The deficiency of Zn and the high exposure of Cd and Pb as a result of cigarette smoking may be synergistic risk factors associated with rheumatoid arthritis.