Jolanta Kowol

The occurrence of nickel and other elements in tissues of the hip joint

Nickel is applied in the production of surgical instruments and compounds of nickel affect the osseous tissue. The objective of this study was to determine the contents of nickel and 11 elements in tissues of a hip joint obtained from inhabitants of the Upper-Silesian Industrial Area. The samples were collected intra-operatively during Total Hip Replacement procedures, in most cases the indication for the surgery was hip osteoarthritis. Concentrations of nickel and 11 trace elements were measured with a Pye Unicam SP-9 acetylene-oxygen flame atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Additional analyses were conducted to identify the correlations occurring between these elements. The average content of trace elements in the hip joint was as follows (mg kg(-1)): Cd 0.66, Cr 7.58, Cu 8.43, Mn 0.79, Pb 3.75, Ni 4.82, Fe 252.13, Zn 75.65, Mg 1306.19, K 3938.67, Na 7484.52, Ca 49485.44. The study demonstrated that the content of nickel and the other elements was diversified, depending on the element of the hip joint, gender and the type of affection the endoprosthesis-plasty was performed for.

Beryllium concentration in pharyngeal tonsils in children

Power plant dust is believed to be the main source of the increased presence of the element beryllium in the environment which has been detected in the atmospheric air, surface waters, groundwater, soil, food, and cigarette smoke. In humans, beryllium absorption occurs mainly via the respiratory system. The pharyngeal tonsils are located on the roof of the nasopharynx and are in direct contact with dust particles in inhaled air. As a result, the concentration levels of beryllium in the pharyngeal tonsils are likely to be a good indicator of concentration levels in the air. The presented study had two primary aims: to investigate the beryllium concentration in pharyngeal tonsils in children living in southern Poland, and the appropriate reference range for this element in childrens pharyngeal tonsils. Pharyngeal tonsils were extracted from a total of 379 children (age 2-17 years, mean 6.2 ± 2.7 years) living in southern Poland. Tonsil samples were mineralized in a closed cycle in a pressure mineralizer PDS 6, using 65% spectrally pure nitric acid. Beryllium concentration was determined using the ICP-AES method with a Perkin Elmer Optima 5300DVTM. The software Statistica v. 9 was used for the statistical analysis. It was found that girls had a significantly greater beryllium concentration in their pharyngeal tonsils than boys. Beryllium concentration varies greatly, mostly according to the place of residence. Based on the study results, the reference value for beryllium in pharyngeal tonsils of children is recommended to be determined at 0.02-0.04 µg/g.

Assessment of phytotherapeutic mixtures as a potential route of absorption of some metal compounds

Abstract Introduction. Nowadays, herbalism seems to arouse much interest. Approximately 80% of the world’s population are willingly take plant-derived drugs. It should be remembered that both herbs and their products may have not only beneficial but also harmful components. Moreover, medicinal plants frequently exhibit the capacity to selectively accumulate toxic elements. Objective. To assess the potential burden of phytotherapy with medicinal plants used in chosen herbal mixtures. Materials and method. A total of 76 species of medicinal plants from all over Poland and contained in herbal mixtures applied in selected diseases were investigated with respect to the content of heavy metals. Argon plasma atomic emission spectrometry (AES) was applied, using an ICP-ULTIMA spectrometer. Results. The study plants showed various cumulative properties, depending on plant species and the effect of environmental purity on the metal content in raw materials. Daily doses of metal absorption due to phytotherapy in various diseases were determined. The levels of Ni, Co and Cr accumulation were similar to that of Pb. Conclusions. Herbal therapies using the medicinal plants studied did not exceed daily norms of the investigated metals. However, as these metals may also occur in other food products, a prolonged use of plant-derived drugs can be an additional burden, especially in the case of renal failure.

Relations between excretion of indole melanogen (TPM) and time of exposure to solar radiation

Introduction. In the human skin exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, melanogenesis occurs in two stages, accompanied by urinary excretion of Thormalen-positive melanogen (TPM). In Poland, no data are available on the course and intensity of melanogonesis in relation to UV exposure in an industrial region. Material and methods. The Thormalen test was used for the collected samples (N=136) as modified by Matous and Suchoń. Results. Maximum environmental TPM content (0.67 μg/dm3) was observed in August. Conclusion. The time of UV exposure and local type of solar radiation promote melanogenesis.