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Summary: Background & aims: The aim of present study was to compare the levels of essential trace and toxic elements in biological samples (blood, serum and scalp hair) of female liver cirrhotic/cancer patients (n = 132), of two age groups (20–45 years) and (46–60 years), before and after sixty days treatment with mineral supplementation. For comparison purpose, same biological samples were also collected from healthy female subjects (n = 75) of same age groups. Methods: The biological samples were oxidized by 65% HNO3: 30% H2O2 (2:1) in microwave oven. The digests of all biological samples were analyzed for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The levels of Se and Zn were lower in liver cirrhotic/cancer patients as compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.001). The patients of liver cirrhosis/cancer have two folds higher As and Cd levels in biological samples as related to age matched referents. Moreover, negative correlation was observed between essential and toxic elements. Conclusions: The pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis/cancer has been associated with changes in the balance of certain essential trace and toxic elements. It was observed that the status of Se and Zn in addition to some biochemical parameters was improved in biological samples of both groups of patients after sixty days treatment with mineral supplementation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: There is accumulating facts that the metabolism of essential trace elements is altered in thyroid patients. Aim: The aim of present study was to compare the status of essential trace elements, iodine, iron (Fe), and selenium (Se) in biological samples (serum and urine) of goitrous mothers (age ranged 30–40) and their newly born infants (n =76). An age matched 68 non-goitrous mothers and their infants, residing in the same locality, were selected as referents. For a comparative study, the biological samples of non-goitrous and goitrous pregnant and non pregnant female subjects of the same age group and socio-economic status were also analyzed. Methods: The Fe and Se concentrations in biological samples were determined by a flame and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry respectively, while iodine was measured by iodide-ion selective electrode, prior to microwave assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of the methodology was checked by certified reference materials. Results: The mean values of iodine, Fe and Se in serum and urine samples of thyroid mothers and their infants were significantly lower as compared to the referent mothers-infants pairs (p <0.01). Conclusions: The deficiencies of essential trace elements may adversely affect the health of women and their neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Arsenic speciation was carried out in muscle tissues of freshwater fish species. Inorganic arsenic species (As3+and As5+) were extracted with chloroform, prior to microwave assisted digestion with concentrated HClO4 and Fe2(SO4)3. The extracted As3+ and As5+ were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The accuracy of the technique was evaluated by using certified reference material DORM-2. The limit of detection of the method was 0.004 and 0.005μg/g for As3+ and As5+, respectively. The mean relative standard deviation values (RSD) in real sample analysis were 1.90 and 3.92 for As3+ and As5+, respectively. The results demonstrated the suitability of the procedure for screening and quantification of As species in biological samples. The mean concentration of As3+ and As5+ in muscle tissues of studied fish species ranged from 1.19 to 2.05 and 0.17 to 0.46μg/g, respectively. The contribution of the daily intake of inorganic As, based on the consumption of 250g fresh fish muscles/body weight/day was found in the range of 1.21–1.91μg/kg/day. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]