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The basic functions of bioelements in biological systems is widely known. Depletion of bioelements and excess of toxic elements lead to impairment of metabolism in the living organism. The existence of magnesium deficiencies in the adult and pediatric populations may cause increased accumulation of toxic metals including lead and cadmium. Prevention of adverse effects of toxic metals may include supplementation with some bioelements and vitamins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of magnesium supplementation on concentrations of chosen bioelements and toxic metals in hair in the adult human population. The research was performed on 124 individuals (53 males and 71 females aged 19-72 years), inhabitants of the city of Szczecin. The concentrations of magnesium, zinc, copper, lead and cadmium were studied in hair. Measurements were performed using the inversion volt-amperometry method with application of an EDD-Tribo PC ETP volt-amperometer. Finally, the supplementation study enrolled 65 individuals with an increased concentration of lead. The studied individuals were divided into two groups: one treated group that enrolled 50 patients who were supplemented with magnesium and the control group that enrolled 15 persons receiving placebo. Finally, supplementation was completed by 32 individuals from the treated group and 10 individuals from the control group. Supplementation was performed using Slow-Mag-B6 preparation at the total daily dose of five tablets divided into 2-3 doses. One tablet contains 535 mg of magnesium chloride i.e. 64 mg of magnesium ions (5.26 mEgMg2) and 5 mg of vitamin B6. Supplementation was performed for a period of 3 months. The remaining individuals did not complete the supplementation due to various reasons; however, none of them resulted from the poor tolerance of the preparation or its adverse events. The results achieved underwent statistical analysis. The results of the study revealed a positive influence of supplementation on concentrations of magnesium and copper in the human body. Supplementation with magnesium caused a statistically significant decrease in concentrations of lead and cadmium. The above mentioned results indicate a positive influence of magnesium supplementation on the decrease of lead and cadmium hair content in the individuals studied.

We examined 83 mothers from Szczecin (north-west part of Poland) and their 83 neonates. Concentrations of total and ionized magnesium in maternal and cord serum, as well as total magnesium in hair were determined. Higher levels of total magnesium were noted in neonates (cord serum, hair) than mothers. A positive correlation was ascertained between total magnesium in maternal and cord serum. Magnesium in maternal hair correlated negatively with ionized magnesium in cord serum. Male neonates demonstrated higher levels of magnesium in cord blood and hair than females. There was no effect of maternal age, education level, or number of past pregnancies on the concentration of magnesium in mothers or neonates.

The aim of this study was to assess the hair copper concentration in a population of healthy children, teenagers, and adults living in a specific region of Poland. For this purpose, 840 healthy individuals aged 1-50 yr living in Szczecin, Poland were selected for the study. They were divided into subgroups according to age and sex and the hair was analyzed for copper using a standard atomic absorption spectrometric technique. The level of copper was highest for the group including 11-15 yr old. In the other subgroups, the concentration of copper was lower than the values considered normal, suggesting the possibility of endemic copper deficiency in the inhabitants of this region.

The study was done in 57 psychoactive drug addicts (18 females and 39 males) who entered a methadone maintenance program in Szczecin. The age of participants ranged from 21 to 49 years (mean 32.14 years) and the mean duration of drug abuse as determined during history-taking was 11.6 years. Some of the patients became addicted at the age of just 11 years. The objectives of this work were: a) to apply segmental analysis of hair for studying psychoactive agents and their derivatives in drug abusers during the acute intoxication phase and maintenance therapy; b) to determine if narcotics found in hair matched with findings during history-taking; c) to check the relevance of toxicological tests for psychoactive drug content in hair for monitoring abstinence in maintenance programs. The material consisted of hair sampled from 57 patients who were visited the Outpatient Department for Drug Abusers of the Regional Mental Care Center in Szczecin (Poland). Opioids (morphine, codeine, 6-mono-acetyl-morphine, methadone) were determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS-ITD) and a Varian 3400 gas chromatography (USA) coupled to a mass spectrometer (Magnum ionic trapping system, Finnigan Mat, USA). Amphetamines (EP, MK, MA, AMP, MDA, MDMA, MDEA) were analyzed with a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) system (LC/MS HP-1100, Hewlett-Packard, USA), equipped with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) chamber and dedicated software. Statistical analysis of the results was done. The following conclusions were drawn: toxicological examination of narcotic content in hair is a useful method for studying the history of drug addiction during the period of time equivalent, to the length of hair. Psychoactive substances detected in hair were in most cases consistent with the history of drug abuse. Analysis of psychoactive substances in hair may be applied for identification of addicting drugs and for abstinence control in therapeutic and rehabilitation programs.

Hair analysis offers the possibility of revealing an individual's recent history of drug exposure beginning at sampling day and dating back over a period of weeks or months. This feature of hair analysis can be applied in clinical setting for monitoring drug use by addicted patients being rehabilitated. The aim of this study was to apply determination of major opiates and amphetamines in hair to confirm medical interview made by a physician in detoxification and methadone treatment patients. These assays used gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for opiates and liquid chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry (LC/MS-APCI) for amphetamines. Most unconfirmed interview data were in the group of detoxification patients. Four methadone patients were negative for opiates.

46 children, aged 2-6 years, with decreased magnesium concentrations in hair, were studied. Magnesium supplementation consisted of Asmag preparation for 3 months and multivitamin Multi-tabs preparation (containing magnesium, but without calcium) for the following 4 months. Control studies were performed again after 7 months of treatment, i.e. 12 months after the initial measurements (the same season of the year--early spring). The results proved increases of both magnesium (from 7.74 microg/g dry mass to 11.03 microg/g dry mass) and calcium (from 159.82 mg/g dry mass to 191.60 mg/g dry mass) concentrations in hair. Increased magnesium concentrations were observed in 40 studied children (86.95 per cent). Post supplementation magnesium deficiency was found in 22 children (47.83 per cent), and four children (8.70 per cent) showed further worsening of hypomagnesemia. Increased calcium concentrations were found in 42 children (91.30 per cent), while decreased Ca levels were found in 4 children (8.70 percent). The achieved results indicate a positive influence of that form of compensation of magnesium deficiency, and suggest the need of individual selection of doses and period of Mg supplementation. The initial level of hypomagnesemia, presence of factors that might inhibit intestinal absorption, accompanying diseases that might cause decrease in magnesium concentration and other factors that might influence the total body magnesium concentration should be taken into account while designing the supplementation therapy.

In the last ten years advances in analytical methods have enabled the determination of xenobiotics in alternative material such as sweat, saliva, and hair. The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method and measure the concentration of the main opiates in serum saliva and hair of subjects from a detoxification and methadone treatment programme. The analytical strategy in the presented study, based on enzymoimmunoassay screening of opiates in urine and GC/MS confirmation, meets the needs of forensic and clinical toxicology. Blood and saliva samples from thirty seven patients and hair from twenty three with a history of intravenous opiate use were collected for analysis. The ranges of morphine in serum and saliva were 0-2081 and 0-208 ng/ml respectively; corresponding concentrations of codeine were 0-580 and 0-428 ng/ml respectively. The concentration of morphine, codeine and 6-MAM in hair of addicts ranged respectively from 0-32.4, 0-12.5 and 0-2.8 ng/mg. From the clinical toxicology point of view, hair analysis is supplementary to urine, serum or saliva determination, but in drug testing at the workplace it can play a crucial role.

Hair calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and iron levels have been determined in 420 children and adolescents, aged between 5 and 18 years, and inhibiting Szczecin area. Levels of these bioelements have been assayed with atomic absorption spectroscopy. Mean magnesium and calcium levels in hair of children from Szczecin area are higher than those in other regions of the country. Magnesium, calcium and zinc levels have been the lowest in hair of children aged between 5 and 9 years, increased with the age, achieving the highest values in adolescents aged between 15 and 18 years. In a 5-year age groups, hair magnesium and calcium levels have been higher in girls than in boys.

The aim of this study was to assess hair magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc levels in breast-fed and formula-fed infants. Our findings showed that concentration of the assayed macro- and trace elements, except copper, were higher in breast-fed children and declined with age, faster in formula-fed children. The frequent occurrence of magnesium deficiency indicates that pregnant women should receive magnesium supplementation.

The magnesium, zinc, copper, iron and calcium level of plasma, erythrocytes, urine and hair in 50 children aged from 4 to 13 years with hyperactivity, were examined by AAS. The average concentration of all trace elements was lower compared with the control group--healthy children from Szczecin. The highest deficit was noted in hair. Our results show that it is necessary to supplement trace elements in children with hyperactivity.

By the method of atomic absorption spectroscopy 135 children living in Szczecin were studied for the content of lead and cadmium in the hair. The obtained results were compared with the levels of other bioelements determined in the hair in the same children. The level of lead in the hair of the studied children was from 0.2 mcg/g to 9.5 mcg/g and was significantly lower than that reported by other authors, while the level of cadmium was not differing significantly. The highest lead concentration in the hair was found in five- and six-year-old children. In children in whom magnesium and zinc deficit was found, high level of lead was present in the hair.