Laura Ciaralli

Serum selenium concentration and disease progress in patients with HIV infection

The selenium concentration in the serum of 67 patients with HIV infection was measured to determine whether selenium deficiency occurred in the different stages of the disease. In the first stage of the study, patients were divided into four groups: symptom-free subjects, PGL (persistent generalized lymphadenopathy), ARC (AIDS related complex), and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Selenium concentrations were normal in HIV antibody positive symptom-free subjects (1.18 +/- 0.27 mumol/L) and lower than normal in the other three groups (p less than 0.001). There was a significant correlation (p less than 0.001) between selenium levels and values of hemoglobin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Selenium deficiency was in no case associated with a lack of zinc in serum (also determined in all patients). In the second stage of the study, 12 patients were treated for a period of two months with low doses of selenium to assess whether such supplementation was able to restore their impaired immunological and hematological functions. The therapy increased serum selenium concentrations (from 0.77 +/- 0.23 to 1.44 +/- 0.41 mumol/L) and symptomatic improvements were noted. However, no changes were observed in the immunological and hematological parameters.

Heavy metals in mussels and fish from Italian coastal waters

Abstract Concentrations of mercury, cadmium and lead were determined in the soft tissue of four types of marine organisms (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk., Murex trunculus, Serranus scribal and Serranus cabrilla), collected along the Italian coasts from Genoa (Ligurian Sea) to Termoli (Adriatic Sea) in the summer of 1986. The analyses were performed by the electrothermal (cadmium and lead) and cold vapour (mercury) atomic absorption techniques. Levels of metals in Mytilus galloprovincialis were for the most part low, except at a few sites. Murex trunculus contained higher mean concentrations of mercury and cadmium and lower concentrations of lead. In Serranus scriba and Serranus cabrilla, mean levels of mercury were 316±154 and 181±86 μg l−1 fresh weight, respectively, and the levels of cadmium and lead were generally below the detection limits calculated for both these elements.

Determination of cadmium, chromium, lead and vanadium in six fish species from the Adriatic Sea

Concentrations of cadmium, chromium, lead and vanadium were determined in samples of six fish species collected along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The concentrations of the elements studied were generally low, often below the detection limits of the analytical methods. The highest values (µg kg−1 fresh weight) were observed, mainly in the central area of the Adriatic Sea, for anchovy (Cd 20.2, Cr 82.9, Pb 45.9, V 89.9), red mullet (Cd 3.1, Cr 31.0, Pb 36.0, V 79.1) and mackerel (Cd 7.7, Cr 28.0, Pb 11.4, V 43.5). The concentrations of cadmium and lead in all the species examined were below the maximum levels indicated by the European Community for these two elements in seafood, and also would lead to exposure levels lower than the provisional tolerable daily intakes suggested by the FAO/WHO for Cd (420 µg week−1 for a 60-kg person) and Pb (1500 µg week−1 for a 60-kg person). The concentration of chromium was lower than the recommended daily amount (50–200 µg day−1 for a 60-kg person) indicated by the US National Research Council. An 11–34% contribution to the daily vanadium ingestion with fish was calculated for the population of the Adriatic coast.

Total contents and sequential extractions of mercury, cadmium, and lead in coastal sediments

Samples of sediments collected along Italian coasts were analysed for mercury, cadmium, and lead contents by means of atomic absorption spectrometry methods. Determinations of iron and organic carbon were also performed. In addition, selective extractions were applied to the samples in order to evaluate the presence of the elements investigated in different chemical fractions. The mean values of total metals, expressed on the basis of dry weight, were 0.23±0.41 mg kg−1 for Hg, 0.16±0.12 mg kg−1 for Cd, and 41.1±37.3 mg kg−1 for Pb. In general, the levels of metals found in the stations where there was not much shipping activity were quite low and typical of unpolluted coastal sediments, whereas the highest concentrations noted were in the stations placed inside harbours. The procedure of selective extractions evidenced high percentages of metals in the residual fraction. For lead and cadmium, the concentrations obtained through leaching showed the anomaly/background contrast better than the total concentrations.

Evaluation of aluminium concentrations in samples of chocolate and beverages by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

Samples of chocolate, cocoa, tea infusions, soft drinks and fruit juice have been examined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETA-AAS) for the presence of aluminium (Al). Fruit juices and chocolate were analysed after an adequate sample preparation; the other products were evaluated directly. Sampling was performed in duplicate for 248 independent samples. The mean Al concentration in chocolate was 9:2 ± 7:5 mg kg1, and individual values were correlated with the per cent of cocoa in samples (Y = 0:63 + 0:27X, r = 0:78, p < 0:0001). Al concentration in commercial tea infusions ranged from 0.9 to 3.3 mg l-1 (X = 1:80 ± 65 mg l-1), whereas in laboratory-prepared samples it was 2:7 ± 0:93mg l-1. In soft drinks, the concentrations of Al were lower, ranging from 9.1 to 179 μgl-1; the highest values were observed in samples of orange squash (X = 114 ± 56 μg l-1). Apricot juice showed the highest Al level (X = 602 ± 190 μgl-1), being statistically diOEerent from that of pear (X = 259 ± 102 μgl-1), but not diOEerent from that of peach juice (X = 486 ± 269 μgkg-1). Toxicologically, the amount of Al deriving from the consumption of these products is far below the acceptable daily intake of 1mg kg-1 body weight indicated by the FAO/WHO, and it is a very low percentage of the normal Al dietary intake.

Major and trace elements in sediments from Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica

The concentrations of trace metals (Be, Bi, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn), aluminium, iron and total organic carbon (TOC) were determined in sediments collected in Antarctica (Terra Nova Bay—Ross Sea). Samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry with either flame or flameless techniques. Chemical data were evaluated taking into account the textural and compositional character of the sediments. The mean concentration levels of the elements in the <2 mm granulometric fraction were (mg/kg): Be: 2.04±0.25; Bi ≤0.8; Cd: 0.26±0.16; Cr: 20.3±8.3; Mn: 359±108; Ni: 6.31±3.5; Pb: 20.7±2.8; Sn: 2.12±0.71; Zn: 42.3±10.4; Al: 56 100±3900; Fe: 16 400±4800. The mean value of TOC was 0.34±0.20 g%. In the <63 μm fraction higher levels were observed for all the elements, with the exception of Al and Be. Both petrographic and chemical analyses showed differences between the samples collected in Terra Nova Bay and the sample from Wood Bay.

Element concentrations and cataract: an experimental animal model

The determination of inorganic ions in cataractous human lenses has been the subject of several investigations; nevertheless, few studies have been concerned with trace element contents in lenses, and data are sometimes contradictory. An animal experimental model of induced cataract is here proposed with the aim of evaluating the changes of Ca, Na, K, Cu and Zn concentrations. The cataract was produced by an Nd:YAG Laser treatment of the right eye of sexteen male rabbits. The determination of the elements was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry (both flame and flameless methods) after an acid digestion of samples. Compared with the results obtained in left lenses used as a control (Ca 14.4+/-5.7 mg/kg d.w.; Na 1.3+/-0.5 g/kg d.w.; K 9.9+/-1.1 g/kg d.w.; Cu 0.24+/-0.09 mg/kg d.w.; Zn 24.8+/-2.3 mg/kg d.w.), the mean concentration values of opaque lenses showed some significant changes for Ca, Na, and Cu (Ca 123.7+/-106.6 mg/kg d.w.; Na 4.5+/-4.3 g/kg d.w; Cu 0.43+/-0.21 mg/kg d.w.). Potassium showed a tendency to decrease, and zinc to increase. Positive correlations were found between calcium and sodium both in controls (r=0.73, p<0.001) and in treated lenses (r= 0.87, p<0.0001). An inverse correlation between Ca and K confirmed the tendency of potassium to decrease.