scholarly journals Trace Element Analysis in Whole Blood and Plasma for Reference Levels in a Selected Queensland Population, Australia

Author(s):  
Tatiana Komarova ◽  
Daniel McKeating ◽  
Anthony V. Perkins ◽  
Ujang Tinggi

The levels of trace elements in whole blood and plasma have been widely used for assessing nutritional status and monitoring exposure and can vary widely in populations from different geographical regions. In this study, whole blood samples (n = 120) and plasma samples (n = 120) were obtained from healthy donors attending the Red Cross Blood Bank (Queensland Red Cross Blood Service), which provided information for age and sex. There were 71 males (age range: 19–73 years) and 49 females (age range: 18–72 years) for whole blood samples, and 59 males (age range: 19–81 years) and 61 females (age range: 19–73 years) for plasma samples. The main aim of the study was to provide information on blood reference levels of 21 trace elements (Ag, Al, As, Bi, Br, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, I, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, U, V, Zn) in Queensland. The study also aimed to assess differences in trace element blood levels between males and females and the effect of age. The trace element levels in blood samples were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the standard reference materials of Seronorm (Trace Elements Whole Blood) and UTAK (Trace Elements Serum) were used for quality control and assurance. The study found wide variations of trace element levels in whole blood and plasma, and generally the levels were comparable to other countries. No detectable levels were found for Bi, Cr, U and V in whole blood, but V levels were found in plasma samples. There were significant differences between males and females for whole blood Cu (p < 0.001), I (p = 0.009), Tl (p = 0.016) and Zn (p = 0.016). Significant differences were also found for plasma Cu (p < 0.001) and Se (p = 0.003) between males and females. There were trends of increased levels of blood Pb, Se and Zn with age. The study has provided further information on a wide range of trace elements in blood as reference levels for Queensland and Australia which are currently lacking.

Author(s):  
E M Tanvir ◽  
Karen M Whitfield ◽  
Jack C Ng ◽  
P Nicholas Shaw

Abstract Essential and nonessential element concentrations in human blood provide important information on the nutritional status of individuals and can assist in the screening or diagnosis of certain disorders and their association with other causative factors. A simple and sensitive method, suitable for use with small sample volumes, for quantification of multiple trace element concentrations in whole blood and plasma has been developed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Method validation was performed using standard reference materials of whole blood and serum using varying sample treatments with nitric acid, water and hydrogen peroxide. The method was applied to quantify the trace element concentrations in whole blood and plasma samples (0.1 mL) from 50 adult blood donors in Queensland. The whole blood sample (5 mL) was collected in Vacutainer tubes with K2EDTA as anticoagulant. The developed method was able to quantify, in blood and plasma samples over a wide range of concentrations, several essential elements: cobalt, copper, zinc, iron, manganese and selenium; the nutritionally probably essential elements vanadium and strontium; and nonessential elements including lead, cadmium, arsenic, caesium, barium, thallium and uranium. Significant differences (P &lt; 0.0001) were observed between whole blood and plasma concentrations for 13 elements; 5 of the measured elements, cobalt (0.49 vs. 0.36 μg/L), copper (1.0 vs. 0.75 mg/L), strontium (28 vs. 16 μg/L), barium (1.5 vs. 0.64 μg/L) and thallium (0.06 vs. 0.03 μg/L), had higher mean concentrations in plasma than in blood. Whole blood concentrations of nine trace elements were significantly correlated (P &lt; 0.0001) with plasma concentrations. The distribution of the trace elements between human blood and plasma varied considerably for the different elements. These results indicate that, using a small sample volume, this assay is suitable for the evaluation of nutritional status as well as in monitoring human toxic elemental exposures.


2018 ◽  
Vol 88 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott W. Leonard ◽  
Gerd Bobe ◽  
Maret G. Traber

Abstract. To determine optimal conditions for blood collection during clinical trials, where sample handling logistics might preclude prompt separation of erythrocytes from plasma, healthy subjects (n=8, 6 M/2F) were recruited and non-fasting blood samples were collected into tubes containing different anticoagulants (ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA), Li-heparin or Na-heparin). We hypothesized that heparin, but not EDTA, would effectively protect plasma tocopherols, ascorbic acid, and vitamin E catabolites (α- and γ-CEHC) from oxidative damage. To test this hypothesis, one set of tubes was processed immediately and plasma samples were stored at −80°C, while the other set was stored at 4°C and processed the following morning (~30 hours) and analyzed, or the samples were analyzed after 6 months of storage. Plasma ascorbic acid, as measured using HPLC with electrochemical detection (LC-ECD) decreased by 75% with overnight storage using EDTA as an anticoagulant, but was unchanged when heparin was used. Neither time prior to processing, nor anticoagulant, had any significant effects upon plasma α- or γ-tocopherols or α- or γ-CEHC concentrations. α- and γ-tocopherol concentrations remained unchanged after 6 months of storage at −80°C, when measured using either LC-ECD or LC/mass spectrometry. Thus, refrigeration of whole blood at 4°C overnight does not change plasma α- or γ-tocopherol concentrations or their catabolites. Ascorbic acid is unstable in whole blood when EDTA is used as an anticoagulant, but when whole blood is collected with heparin, it can be stored overnight and subsequently processed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 810-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinyu Liu ◽  
Miriam Hoene ◽  
Peiyuan Yin ◽  
Louise Fritsche ◽  
Peter Plomgaard ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Nonadherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) during handling and processing of whole blood is one of the most frequent causes affecting the quality of serum and plasma. Yet, the quality of blood samples is of the utmost importance for reliable, conclusive research findings, valid diagnostics, and appropriate therapeutic decisions. METHODS UHPLC-MS-driven nontargeted metabolomics was applied to identify biomarkers that reflected time to processing of blood samples, and a targeted UHPLC-MS analysis was used to quantify and validate these biomarkers. RESULTS We found that (4E,14Z)-sphingadienine-C18-1-phosphate (S1P-d18:2) was suitable for the reliable assessment of the pronounced changes in the quality of serum and plasma caused by errors in the phase between collection and centrifugation of whole blood samples. We rigorously validated S1P-d18:2, which included the use of practicality tests on &gt;1400 randomly selected serum and plasma samples that were originally collected during single- and multicenter trials and then stored in 11 biobanks in 3 countries. Neither life-threatening disease states nor strenuous metabolic challenges (i.e., high-intensity exercise) affected the concentration of S1P-d18:2. Cutoff values for sample assessment were defined (plasma, ≤0.085 μg/mL; serum, ≤0.154 μg/mL). CONCLUSIONS Unbiased valid monitoring to check for adherence to SOP-dictated time for processing to plasma or serum and/or time to storage of whole blood at 4 °C is now feasible. This novel quality assessment step could enable scientists to uncover common preanalytical errors, allowing for identification of serum and plasma samples that should be excluded from certain investigations. It should also allow control of samples before long-term storage in biobanks.


2016 ◽  
Vol 174 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal Zevenbergen ◽  
Tim I M Korevaar ◽  
Andrea Schuette ◽  
Robin P Peeters ◽  
Marco Medici ◽  
...  

BackgroundLevels of thyroid hormone (TH) and trace elements (copper (Cu) and selenium (Se)) are important for development and function of the brain. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) can influence serum TH and trace element levels. As the relationship between AEDs, THs, and trace elements has not yet been studied directly, we explored these interactions.MethodIn total 898 participants, from the Thyroid Origin of Psychomotor Retardation study designed to investigate thyroid parameters in subjects with intellectual disability (ID), had data available on serum Se, Cu, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), tri-iodothyronine (T3), reverse T3, T4, and thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG); 401 subjects were on AED treatment. Differences in trace elements according to medication usage was investigated using ANOVA, and associations between trace elements and thyroid parameters were analysed using (non-) linear regression models.ResultsStudy participants were not deficient in any of the trace elements analyzed. AED (carbamazepine, valproate and phenytoin) usage was negatively associated with serum Se and showed compound-specific associations with Cu levels. After correction for drug usage, Se was positively associated with TSH levels, negatively associated with FT4levels, and positively with T3levels. Cu was positively associated with T4, T3, and rT3, which was largely dependent on TBG levels.ConclusionThe subjects with ID did not display profound deficiencies in trace element levels. AEDs were associated with serum Se and Cu levels, while serum Se and Cu were also associated with thyroid parameters. Further studies on the underlying mechanisms and potential clinical importance are warranted.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 738-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo G. M. A. Martins ◽  
Philipe Moriel ◽  
John D. Arthington

We evaluated the effects of storage temperature (−20 or −80°C) and handling procedure on plasma concentrations of bovine haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin. Within each temperature, whole blood samples were: centrifuged within 2 h of collection and plasma kept frozen until analysis (control); refrigerated at 4°C for 24 h before plasma harvest and freezing (24H); or plasma harvested and frozen within 2 h after collection, but then plasma samples were thawed and refrozen 1 wk (1X), 1 and 2 wk (2X), or 1, 2 and 3 wk (3X) before analyses. Haptoglobin concentrations were greatest at 24H, but similar among remaining treatments. Ceruloplasmin concentrations were not affected by the handling procedures. Storage temperature did not affect haptoglobin concentrations, but ceruloplasmin concentrations decreased when stored at −20 versus −80°C. Except for greater concentrations after 24 h storage at 4°C, haptoglobin concentrations remained stable at either freezing temperature and through freeze–thaw cycles. Ceruloplasmin concentrations decreased after 3 freeze–thaw cycles and required lower freezing temperatures to remain stable.


2010 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Nuray Bayar Muluk ◽  
Fulya Yalçınkaya ◽  
Osman Kürşat Arikan ◽  
Özden Çırpar ◽  
Sedat Kaygusuz ◽  
...  

Objectives: To determine whether trace elements that are essential for neural function play a role in the pathophsiology and etiology of auditory neuropathy (AN).. Materials and methods: Patients diagnosed with auditory neuropathy consisted of eight children (two male, six female). The blood tests including the measurement of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper and magnesium were done in children with AN during their routine care. Results: Of the eight children with AN, many had serum levels outside the normal range: one had low sodium, two had low potassium, one had low chloride, two had high zinc and three had low zinc, two had low calcium and two had higher than normal phosphorus. Conclusion: Although some serum trace element levels in our patients were higher or lower than normal values, the mean values were within normal limits. Thus, we were unable to detect a relationship between serum trace element levels and AN-. In the future, larger studies should be conducted to confirm these findings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Handan Hilal Arslan ◽  
Duygu Tarhan ◽  
Sena Cenesiz ◽  
Fatma Ates Alkan ◽  
Umit Ozcan ◽  
...  

Background: Cutaneous papillomas are benign proliferative neoplasms. The aetiology and pathogenesis of the disease are very complex. Papillomatosis lesions can be detected anywhere on the body, frequently appearing on the surface of the head, neck, teats, udder, external genital mucosa and upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. The disease is not life threatening but due to loss of productivity, owners often cull animals with papillomatosis. The relationships between trace elements, heavy metals and cancer are still researching. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the relationships between trace elements and antioxidant metabolism, and cutaneous papillomatosis, in cattle.Materials, Methods & Results: Eleven cattle with cutaneous papillomatosis and 10 healthy cattle constituted the study group and control group, respectively. Clinical examinations were performed on all animals. Blood samples were collected and Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se, Zn, As, B, Ni, Si and Co levels were determined. The analyses were conducted with an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer. In addition, catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) concentrations were measured. The Ni, Si and MDA levels of the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05) but the Se levels of the study group were significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). The normality of the data was determined with the Shapiro-Wilk Test and the Independent Samples t-Test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical comparison of the groups.Discussion: Trace elements are essential components of biological systems. The levels of trace elements, such as Cu, Co, I, Se, Zn and Mn, which are affected by grazing activity, influence ruminants’ reproductive performance and other production parameters. The elements Al, As, Cr, Ni and Sn are also presumed to be essential for ruminant metabolism, although sufficient research data are not available. In the present study, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, As, B and Co levels were not significantly different between the papilloma and control groups. Se is an important trace element for skin health. This study revealed a mean serum Se level in animals with papillomatosis that was significantly lower than in the healthy group. Although the mode of anticancer activity of Se is not clear, some factors, such as antioxidant protection, improved immune system surveillance, carcinogen detoxification, modulation of cell proliferation and inhibition of tumour cell invasion and angiogenesis, are important. Ni is classified as a toxic heavy metal. In addition, it could be carcinogenic to humans. Ni level was two times higher in the papillomatosis group than in the healthy animals, in the present study. This result may indicate that Ni has a role in the genesis of papillomatosis in cattle. Si injection can cause inflammation, granulomas and cancer. There are few reports about Si levels in animals and the significant difference in the Si levels in cattle with cutaneous papillomatosis reported in this study may be a new indicator for the disease. The skin contains antioxidant molecules that include GSH, alpha-tocopherol or vitamin E, ascorbic acid or vitamin C, glutathione peroxidases, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), superoxide dismutases (SODs), CAT and quinine reductase. There is strong interaction between ROS and/or their oxidant products and antioxidant molecules in the skin. In this study, although MDA levels were higher in the study group than in the control group, there was no significant difference between the groups in their CAT levels, and also in the GSH and CP levels. In conclusion, these results may evidence the systemic effects of papillomatosis on trace element levels and on oxidant metabolism in cattle.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001099
Author(s):  
Kim Hamer ◽  
Hannah Mylin ◽  
Donald Barrie ◽  
Valentina Busin ◽  
Katharine Denholm

A hill farm in eastern Scotland had noted poor lamb growth rates since 2014. Cobalt, selenium and copper deficiencies were reported from historical blood sample results, and trace element supplementation had been administered to the ewes, but not the lambs. A supplementation trial was undertaken in 2018 to compare the daily liveweight gain (DLWG) between lambs supplemented with trace elements and unsupplemented lambs. The trace element supplements used were intraruminal boluses containing 51-mg cobalt, 10-mg selenium and 60-mg iodine (Downland Essential Lamb bolus, Downland). Blood samples taken two months postsupplementation showed that unsupplemented lambs had cobalt-deficient status, but not selenium deficiency. Lambs supplemented with the trace element boluses had an increase in DLWG of 49 g/day compared with unsupplemented lambs. This case confirms that cobalt supplementation on deficient farms can be associated with a significant improvement in growth rates of growing lambs on Scottish hill farms.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4

Purpose: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between MS and the homeostatic state of trace elements, and to reveal the relationship between Fe and Zn in MS pathology Material and Method: Total of 40 (20 patients and 20 control) subjects were participated to this study. Blood samples were taken and analysed plasma iron and zinc levels using an atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Kolmogrow-Smirnov Z test used to analyse statistically significance of the data. P<0.05 was accepted as significant. Results: The plasma iron and Zn levels were found to be significantly lower in MS patients compared to control. Conclusion: Considering the important beneficial effects of iron and zinc against neurodegenerative disease and increased oxidative stress, reduced level of these trace elements should be considered in MS treatment.


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