Trace element contents in toenails are related to regular physical activity in older adults

Abstract

The aim was to assess the trace element contents in toenails of older adults and its association with regular physical activity. Cross-sectional multicentre study in Spain, collecting data from a random sample of 380 participants (54% female) aged 55–80 years (men) and 60–80 years (women) with no previously documented cardiovascular disease. Physical activity performed was measured using the Minnesota Leisure-time Physical Activity Questionnaire. The 25 most inactive and 25 most active individuals for each sex were selected for this study (final sample n = 100). Anthropometric measurements were performed and toenail samples collected for calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) analysis. Significant differences between sexes were reported in Ca concentrations, women having lower concentrations than men. No differences were reported in trace element contents between active and inactive men. Active women showed higher Ca, Cr, Fe, Co, and Zn and lower Hg contents than their inactive peers (all p<0.05). Inactive women showed lower Ca and Co levels (735.0 mg/kg and 4.5 μg/kg, respectively) than inactive men (1170.0 mg/kg and 7.9 μg/kg, respectively). Active women had lower Ca and higher levels of Cr (936.0 mg/kg and 1230.0 μg/kg, respectively) than active men (1070.0 mg/kg and 522.0 μg/kg, respectively). The present data added new information on the element contents in toenails of healthy Spanish older adults. The concentration of trace elements was similar in both sexes except for Ca which were lower in women. The trace element contents in women’s toenails, but not in men, were markedly influenced by physical activity, with higher levels of Ca and Fe and lower Hg among active females.

Analysis of trace element levels in the nails in patients with colorectal cancer: Consider to the effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy

“…The levels of the trace elements in the integrated samples of ngernail and toenail in healthy human subjects observed in this study were comparable to those shown in previous studies [27][28][29][30] . In this study, the mean values of trace element levels in the ngernails and toenails were similar to those shown in the international survey by Takagi et al 28 .…”

Update of the risk assessment of nickel in food and drinking water

“…The concentrations were 2.76 AE 0.4 and 2.18 AE 0.2 lg/L, respectively (Zeneli et al, 2015). Sureda et al (2017) selected the 25 most inactive and 25 most active individuals for each sex from a group of 280 older adults in Spain (55-80 years old) and analysed trace elements in toenail samples. No significant difference in nickel concentration was observed between active and inactive adults.…”

The impact of physical activity and fitness on health biomarkers and oxidative stress in adults aged over 55 years = Impacto de la actividad y la condición física sobre biomarcadores de salud y estrés oxidativo en adultos mayores de 55 años

“…Females displayed a negative relationship between malondialdehyde (MDA) with PF, whereas high levels of PF were associated with high superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in males. Several studies are in agreement with our results (192,193,261 cobalt, and zinc and lower mercury contents than inactive peers (341). Comparing both sexes between them, inactive females showed lower calcium and cobalt levels than inactive males.…”

“…Comparing both sexes between them, inactive females showed lower calcium and cobalt levels than inactive males. Active females had higher levels of chromium than active males (341).…”