Serum aluminium concentration and aluminium deposits in bone in patients receiving haemodialysis.

Aim: The aim of this work was to investigate the relationships between aluminium levels, oxidative status and DNA damage in workers occupationally exposed to aluminium. Subjects and methods: This study was conducted in a secondary aluminium smelter. It included 96 male workers occupationally exposed to aluminium fume and dust compared to 96 male nonexposed individuals. Full history and clinical examination were done for all participants. Laboratory investigations in the form of serum aluminium, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and comet assay test were performed. Results: Serum aluminium level ranged from 4 to 30 µg/L of median: 10 µg/L; urinary 8-OHdG ranged from 2.7 to 17.2 ng/mg creatinine of median: 7.6 ng/mg creatinine; comet tail length (CTL) ranged from 19.7 to 50.5 µm of median: 45 µm, were statistically significantly increased in the exposed group compared to nonexposed group. In exposed workers, a statistically significant positive correlations were found between serum aluminium level and urinary 8-OHdG ( r = 0.75, p < 0.001); aluminium level and CTL ( r = 0.71, p < 0.001); and urinary 8-OHdG and CTL ( r = 0.71, p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between serum aluminium and TAC ( r = −0.76, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Occupational exposure to aluminium in secondary aluminium smelters was related to the induction of oxidative stress and DNA damage. This may promote the development of adverse health hazards in the exposed workers

Download Full-text

Suspected alimentary poisoning by aluminium phosphide in horses – a case report

Acta Veterinaria Brno ◽

10.2754/avb202089030231 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 89 (3) ◽

pp. 231-237

Author(s):

Zuzana Široká ◽

Radek Melka ◽

Alena Honzlová ◽

Radka Dobšíková ◽

Zdeňka Svobodová

Keyword(s):

Clinical Signs ◽

Symptomatic Treatment ◽

Pathological Examination ◽

Positive Finding ◽

Health Issues ◽

Aluminium Concentration ◽

Aluminium Phosphide ◽

Horse Owner ◽

Liver And Kidney ◽

High Aluminium

In November 2018, a horse owner from the Czech Republic experienced the loss of two of his stallions in consequence of probable poisoning. The affected animals were kept in the stable only. The mares, which were grazing on pasture during the day, were not affected. All the animals were fed the same type of feed. The day before the animals became sick, between 15:00 to 19:00 h the stable was not secured against the entry of strangers. When the mares were brought back to the stable and all animals were closed and locked for the night, no signs of health issues were observed. In the following morning, the two stallions were found in lateral recumbency with seizure attacks. Despite symptomatic treatment (infusion with saline, flunixine meglumine, activated charcoal) and applications of myorelaxants, the symptoms persisted until the afternoon, and the owner agreed with euthanasia. Based on the clinical signs and pathological examination, poisoning by pesticides was suspected. The results of toxicological analyses revealed that carbofuran, metaldehyde, and strychnine were not responsible for the poisoning as they were not detected in the samples. The only positive finding was a high aluminium concentration in the stomach content, liver and kidney samples. Based on the observed symptoms and the high aluminium concentration, it was presumed that aluminium phosphide could be the source of poisoning. As there was no evidence of the possession of such product by the horse breeder and the stable stayed unsupervised for a few hours, intentional poisoning cannot be excluded.

Download Full-text