中国正常人体内元素含量的检测研究

开展正常人体内元素含量的检测研究具有重要生物学意义，不仅可充实我国正常成年人脏器组织元素含量值的基础医学数据，为研究人体内微量元素与健康的关系提供科学依据、也为辐射防护领域内放射性核素的剂量估算提供重要参数。本文从以下五个方面进行了论述：（）体内元素含量检测研究的目的、意义及其概况；（2）元素含量检测的重要性及其历史沿革；（3）元素的检测方法及质量控制；（4）人体内脏器组织元素含量的数值；（5）与国外资料相比较。本文着重介绍了我国100例正常成年人20个脏器组织（包括胃、小肠、大肠、心、肝、脾、肺、肾、…     

Preliminary chemometric study of minerals and trace elements in Spanish infant formulae

The concentrations of minerals (Na, K, P, Ca and Mg) and trace elements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, Al, Cd and Pb) in a total of 105 different infant formulae (starter, follow-up, premature, specialised and soya formulae) marketed in Spain were determined by atomic spectrometry (flame and electrothermal) and inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy after acid-microwave decomposition. On the basis of the elements distribution, a preliminary chemometric study with the use of pattern recognition methods was carried out. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), as unsupervised exploratory techniques, and linear discriminant analysis (LDA), were applied to characterise, classify and distinguish the different types of infant formulae. The HCA results showed that mineral and trace element content data support adequate information to obtain the infant formula differentiation. PCA permitted the reduction of 13 variables to four principal components accounting for 61.9% of the total variability. This four-factor model interprets reasonably well the correlations of these studied elements. The obtained element associations may be attributed to the composition of matrix ingredients, the contamination during elaboration, the additives and mineral supplements added and the present tendency of standardization in the manufacture of infant formulae. The application of LDA gave a 77.1% of infant formulae correctly assigned with three clearly differentiated and two overlapped groups. The use of discriminant functions, as a complementary tool, to distinguish the different types depending on protein matrix of infant formula, is also discussed. This survey shows that HCA, PCA and LDA techniques appear useful tools for the characterisation and classification of infant formulae using their elemental profile.     

Characterization of high molecular weight cadmium species in contaminated vegetable food

Spinach and radish grown from seeds were each contaminated with 4 different amounts of cadmium. After a cell breakdown of the eatable parts and centrifugation of the resulting homogenates all supernatants (cytosols) were separated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The size-range of the GPC method used was about 20-8000 kDa for globular proteins. The high molecular weight (HMW-Cd-SP, 150-700 kDa) and the low molecular weight Cd species (LMW-Cd-SP, < 150 kDa) in all plant cytosols eluted at about the same retention volume by GPC. The most important Cd binding form in the cytosols of all plants was found to be HMW-Cd-SP. The Cd elution maxima were detected in the range of about 200 kDa. The Cd determinations were performed with ET-AAS by means of matrix modifier. By incubating chosen cytosols with a proteinase before the GPC it was verified that the HMW-Cd-SP in both vegetables are Cd proteins. The molar proportions protein/Cd were about 2-6 in the respective GPC fractions of the HMW-Cd-SP of the highest contaminated plants. The GPC fractions of the HMW-Cd-SP of spinach and radish were further separated by a preparative, native and continuous polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) method. At pH 8 the species were negatively charged, had only a small UV-absorption at 280 nm and showed a very similar elution behavior in all analyzed cytosols. Therefore, we suppose that the HMW-Cd-SP of these two different vegetable foodstuffs have a very similar chemical structure.     

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry: Capabilities and applications

Researchers in the field of trace elements analysis are continuously in search of new instrumental solutions for obtaining better results in terms of analysis speed, precision, accuracy, detection power, and applicability to a wider range of analytical problems. One of the more recent innovations in this field is the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source coupled with a mass spectrometry (MS). An ICP-MS system consists of an ICP torch which ionizes the species present and a mass spectrometer for the separation under vacuum of the different species. The main advantages of this technique with respect to graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and to ICP atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) are: (a) detection limits better than those obtained with graphite furnace, i.e., down to the ng g⁻¹ level, due to the high sensitivity of the channel electron multiplier, which transforms the mass of each ion into an electric signal; (b) the possibility of detecting refractory elements, lanthanides, and all the other elements including halogens, C, and S; (c) high analysis speed (up to 90 elements in 5 min) due to the velocity of the quadrupole mass spectrometer in selecting different masses with respect to the speed necessary to scan different wavelengths; (d) spectral simplicity, because spectra have peaks only at the mass of each isotope and all elements have at least one isotope free from spectral overlap of other analytes; (e) capability of determining individual isotopes of each element. The instrument, therefore, allows not only quantitative elemental analyses to be carried out, but also semiquantitative assays of all the elements present and isotopic ratio analyses to determine quantitatively two or more isotopes of the same element. The most interesting application fields of this technique are in environmental chemistry, geochemistry, oil chemistry, technology of semiconductors, and biochemistry.     

电子显微技术应用于生物纳米材料表征与测试的研究进展

该文简述了电子显微技术的发展历程,并介绍了现代电子显微镜的新功能。针对生物纳米材料理化性能与功能应用的特殊性,结合研究实例,重点阐述运用电子显微结构表征与原位分析测试技术指导构建新颖纳米结构、揭示材料与细胞/组织相互作用并发挥功能的机制。并在此基础上,展望了电子显微技术在生物纳米材料研究领域的发展方向(大尺寸图像拼接、三维重构、动态原位实时成像)。     

Characterization of high molecular weight cadmium species in contaminated vegetable food

Spinach and radish grown from seeds were each contaminated with 4 different amounts of cadmium. After a cell breakdown of the eatable parts and centrifugation of the resulting homogenates all supernatants (cytosols) were separated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The size-range of the GPC method used was about 20–8000 kDa for globular proteins. The high molecular weight (HMW-Cd-SP, 150–700 kDa) and the low molecular weight Cd species (LMW-Cd-SP, < 150 kDa) in all plant cytosols eluted at about the same retention volume by GPC. The most important Cd binding form in the cytosols of all plants was found to be HMW-Cd-SP. The Cd elution maxima were detected in the range of about 200 kDa. The Cd determinations were performed with ET-AAS by means of matrix modifier. By incubating chosen cytosols with a proteinase before the GPC it was verified that the HMW-Cd-SP in both vegetables are Cd proteins. The molar proportions protein/Cd were about 2–6 in the respective GPC fractions of the HMW-Cd-SP of the highest contaminated plants. The GPC fractions of the HMW-Cd-SP of spinach and radish were further separated by a preparative, native and continuous polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) method. At pH 8 the species were negatively charged, had only a small UV-absorption at 280 nm and showed a very similar elution behavior in all analyzed cytosols. Therefore, we suppose that the HMW-Cd-SP of these two different vegetable foodstuffs have a very similar chemical structure. Received: 2 February 2000 / Revised: 24 March 2000 / Accepted: 28 March 2000     

CZE-ICP-MS separation of metallothioneins in human brain cytosols: comparability of electropherograms obtained from different sample matrices

Capillary zone electrophoresis, with its high resolution capability in the separation of different compounds, is well suited for the investigation of metal-containing proteins, especially when elemental detection is conducted using hyphenated inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. A major problem in the separation of proteins in body fluids is caused by the effects of different sample matrix composition. The migration time of proteins varies significantly, depending on the nature of the matrix. Electropherograms are consequently difficult to compare and the peak identification is uncertain. Pre-analytical steps for the reduction of matrix compounds enhance the quality of the data, but the results are still unsatisfactory. This paper describes a technique for obtaining electropherograms that can be used for comparison purposes by correction of the data with the aid of time markers. A mixture of five substances (caesium chloride, arsenocholine, arsenobetaine, dimethylarsinic acid and monomethylarsonic acid) was added in a separate injection step. Ionic caesium eluted at the start of the separation and the other four markers appeared throughout and at the end of the electropherogram. All electropherograms were normalized to a reference run by recalculation of the time axis using the time markers. The method was applied to the analysis of human brain cytosols. Samples were separated after different pre-treatment steps and were compared, with special emphasis on the detection of the isoform metallothionein-3.     

Synthetic Peptide ΔM4-Induced Cell Death Associated with Cytoplasmic Membrane Disruption,Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Melanoma Cells

Melanoma is the most dangerous and lethal form of skin cancer, due to its ability to spread to different organs if it is not treated at an early stage. Conventional chemotherapeutics are failing as a result of drug resistance and weak tumor selectivity. Therefore, efforts to evaluate novel molecules for the treatment of skin cancer are necessary. Antimicrobial peptides have become attractive anticancer agents because they execute their biological activity with features such as a high potency of action, a wide range of targets, and high target specificity and selectivity. In the present study, the antiproliferative activity of the synthetic peptide ΔM4 on A375 human melanoma cells and spontaneously immortalized HaCaT human keratinocytes was investigated. The cytotoxic effect of ΔM4 treatment was evaluated through propidium iodide uptake by flow cytometry. The results indicated selective toxicity in A375 cells and, in order to further investigate the mode of action, assays were carried out to evaluate morphological changes, mitochondrial function, and cell cycle progression. The findings indicated that ΔM4 exerts its antitumoral effects by multitarget action, causing cell membrane disruption, a change in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, an increase of reactive oxygen species, and cell cycle accumulation in S-phase. Further exploration of the peptide may be helpful in the design of novel anticancer peptides.     

A simple practical method for estimating activation sensitivities of different elements/isotopes with cyclotron produced neutrons

A simple method for estimating the activation sensitivity of an element/isotope, activated with cyclotron produced fast neutrons, has been developed. It uses the measured neutron spectra produced by bombarding a thick Be target with deuterons of different energies (15-54 MeV) and the measured/estimated neutron cross sections for the particular nuclear reaction. This method is applicable to all sorts of neutron spectra and all the elements/isotopes, whose cross sections/excitation functions in the relevant energy ranges, are available. We have applied this method to estimate the activation sensitivities of a number of lighter elements of biomedical interest. It is pointed out that this simple method is much cheaper, more convenient and quicker in estimating the activation sensitivities than experimental measurements - of course as long as the appropriate excitation functions are available.     

A new PCR-CGE (size and color) method for simultaneous detection of genetically modified maize events

We present a novel multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection of multiple transgenic events in maize. Initially, five PCR primers pairs specific to events Bt11, GA21, MON810, and NK603, and Zea mays L. (alcohol dehydrogenase) were included. The event specificity was based on amplification of transgene/plant genome flanking regions, i.e., the same targets as for validated real-time PCR assays. These short and similarly sized amplicons were selected to achieve high and similar amplification efficiency for all targets; however, its unambiguous identification was a technical challenge. We achieved a clear distinction by a novel CGE approach that combined the identification by size and color (CGE-SC). In one single step, all five targets were amplified and specifically labeled with three different fluorescent dyes. The assay was specific and displayed an LOD of 0.1% of each genetically modified organism (GMO). Therefore, it was adequate to fulfill legal thresholds established, e.g., in the European Union. Our CGE-SC based strategy in combination with an adequate labeling design has the potential to simultaneously detect higher numbers of targets. As an example, we present the detection of up to eight targets in a single run. Multiplex PCR-CGE-SC only requires a conventional sequencer device and enables automation and high throughput. In addition, it proved to be transferable to a different laboratory. The number of authorized GMO events is rapidly growing; and the acreage of genetically modified (GM) varieties cultivated and commercialized worldwide is rapidly increasing. In this context, our multiplex PCR-CGE-SC can be suitable for screening GM contents in food.     

城市灰尘的元素地球化学特征

根据湖州市吴兴区采样数据,分析了城市灰尘元素中亲铁元素、亲铜元素、亲石元素和常量元素的含量和累积状况,并探讨这些元素与土壤背景的关系.结果表明,湖州市城市灰尘四类元素含量差异较大,但与土壤背景变化趋势基本一致;同种元素在不同功能区的富集等级基本相同,但同类元素间存在明显的累积差异;各功能区灰尘元素与土壤背景的关联度都较...     

Speciation of Se,Fe and Zn in Human Milk Whey: The use of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) to corroborate element profiles measured with Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES)

In human milk trace elements normally exist in a form which can easily be absorbed by the newborn infant. For investigations of the bioavailability of trace elements it is necessary to carry out a speciation analysis of the elements of interest. An independent analytical method has been used for the quality control of the shape of the element profiles obtained from the speciation analysis of Se, Fe and Zn in individual samples of human milk whey after chromatographic separation. For the element detection in the untreated milk fractions Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) was chosen as the reference method. Element distribution patterns have been obtained with Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) using on-line digestion of the fraction, reduction and hydride formation of Se ("T"-mode). Prior results are compared with those obtained by means of element detection in the untreated fractions ("U"-mode) with ICP-AES. The elution profiles of Se, Fe and Zn in human milk whey obtained by means of ICP-AES detection using the "T"-mode show good agreement with the distribution patterns obtained with INAA. Recoveries of 103% for Fe, 86% for Zn and 87% for Se were obtained. The element distribution patterns of Fe and Zn obtained with ICP-AES speciation using the "T"-mode also show good agreement with those obtained by means of ICP-AES using the "U"-mode.     

Nickel species analysis of human colonic tissue using liquid chromatography,gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

Studies to specify metal-binding species, such as metalloproteins that are present in trace amounts in colonic cell cytosol, using chromatographic separation methods in combination with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as element-specific detection require an optimised sample preparation regarding the solubilisation of the proteins. Focus should be taken to avoid metal contamination, enzymatic digestion by different proteases and oxidation. In this article different sample preparation methods are studied to find a suitable method for the isolation and characterisation of Ni species previously found in cytosols from normal and malignant tissues of the human colon. The total Ni concentrations of the cytosols were determined as well as the total protein content. Thus, a Ni-containing protein could be isolated from cytosols of malignant human colonic tissues using size-exclusion chromatography with ICP-MS for element-specific detection. Ni-containing species in the molecular mass range from 10,000 to 20,000 Da were found and pre-concentrated. The determination of the molecular mass of the species was performed through online coupling of reversed-phase chromatography with electrospray ionisation quadrupole time-of-flight MS. Using identical chromatographic conditions and ICP-MS the detected protein was shown to contain Ni.     

Determination of elemental concentration of seed coats of different fruits by using WDXRF spectroscopy technique

Elemental concentrations of five different seed coats of fruit seeds were determined by using wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) technique. Basic aim of this study is to measure mass percentages of macro, micro and trace elements in samples. Besides, analyze results have been commented in terms of correlation between the same element types in seed coats of different fruits. Some interesting results have been obtained about element quality and quantity.     

Rare earth element abundances and distribution patterns in plant materials

Eight out of the fourteen rare earth elements were estimated from the leaves ofPelthophorum pterocarpum, the leaves and roots ofImpatiens balsamina, and the soils from four sampling sites by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The chondrite normalized rare earth element abundances and distribution patterns in the plant materials were found to be significantly correlated to the abundances of the rare earth elements occurring in the soils. The extent of accumulation of the rare earth elements in some plant materials was also govemed by the age of the plants and the plant organs.     

Determination of some trace elements in different organs of normal rats

In our biological investigations some trace elements have been determined by instrumental radioactivation analysis in organs of normal rats. The results of trace element distribution of Cr, Zn, Br, Sb, Fe, Co, Sc, Ag and Na in liver, spleen, brain, lung, kidney and heart of normal rats are presented in the paper.     

磁性离子印迹技术用于元素形态分离分析

元素的形态决定了其在环境和生物过程中的不同行为,形态分析正在被分析化学、环境化学、地球化学、生态学、农学和生物医学等众多学科所关注。环境和生物样品基质复杂、化学形态多样、含量低且易转化是元素形态分析面临的挑战,因此对元素形态的甄别、定量、生态毒性评价和生理功能研究需要对原生形态进行高选择性识别和高效率分离。固相萃取是一种有效应对以上难题的方法,但现有材料和方法远不能满足要求。离子印迹聚合物可与印迹金属离子特异性结合,具有准确、灵敏、可靠的特点,近年来在元素形态分离富集和分析检测方面得到了较为广泛的应用。鉴于非磁性吸附剂在固相萃取操作时,需要将分散在样品溶液中的吸附材料经过离心或过滤分离,操作比较繁琐费时,而磁性材料易被外部磁场快速分离,因此操作简便快速的磁固相萃取正成为元素形态分离富集中一种极具潜力的方法。这篇综述系统总结了离子印迹技术的最新进展,包括离子印迹技术的原理、离子印迹聚合物的制备方法,并根据元素形态分析中离子印迹磁固相萃取的发展现状,分析了离子印迹技术所面临的挑战,最后对元素形态分析中离子印迹技术的未来发展方向和策略提出了建议,提出开发基于有机-无机杂化聚合的多功能磁性离子印迹纳米复合物用于样品的前处理是建立识别选择性高、分离能力强、吸附容量大、形态稳定性好的形态分析方法的一种重要举措。     

微波消解-ICP-MS法测定指甲中14种金属元素的含量

有益微量元素在人体的正常生命机能和各种新陈代谢中都发挥着重要的作用,同时有害重金属含量过高会对人体产生负面的影响.指甲是微量元素代谢的途径之一,因此分析指甲中元素的含量具有重要意义.本文首先建立了指甲中元素含量测定方法,采用微波消解法对指甲样品进行前处理,再使用ICP-MS测定V、Cr、Mn、Fe、Co、Cu、Zn、A...     

Metal-metallothioneins like proteins investigation by heteroatom-tagged proteomics in two different snails as possible sentinel organisms of metal contamination in freshwater ecosystems

Metal speciation analysis in MLPs was carried out in two snails, Marisa cornuarietis and Pomacea bridgesi, in order to investigate them as possible sentinel organisms of heavy metal contamination. To carry out this study snails born in a non-contaminated environment were divided into two groups: a control group and a contaminated one with cadmium administered for 40 days. Subsequently, we investigated the speciation of the induced MLPs in exposed animals in relation to controls. In order to obtain the MLP fraction, cytosols from both snail species where subjected to size-exclusion fractionation, monitoring on-line the metal signal (Cd, Cu and Zn) by ICP-MS while protein elution was followed by on-line UV detection. MLP fraction was then separated by anion-exchange (AE)-FPLC using optimal chromatographic conditions for the separation of the different MLP isoforms in both snail species. Specific detection of separated metalloforms was carried out again by the hyphenation of the AE chromatographic system with ICP-MS. The determination of the amount of metal bound to MLPs was carried out by post-column isotope dilution analysis ICP-MS, finding that the snail M. cornuarietis accumulated higher concentrations of cadmium than P. bridgesi. Thus this first snail could therefore be a better candidate sentinel organism of pollution in natural waters. Identification and characterization of the isoforms separated in M. cornuarietis was carried out for the entire or intact isoforms by MALDI-TOF and then conventional triptic digestion was also carried out to identify the nature of the formed peptides. The presence identification of a MLP isoform of relatively low molecular weight in M. cornuarietis is reported.     

Speciation and legislation – Where are we today and what do we need for tomorrow?

In international legislation concerning trace elements in food, in the environment or in occupational health most regulations are based on the total element contents, and are frequently given as maximum limits or guideline levels. In contrast, only few regulations pay attention to the molecular species in which the elements are bound. The international legislation concerning contaminants in food is presently being established in the Codex Alimentarius, which is an independent United Nations organisation under the joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. Development of the Codex General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food provides the framework for future international legislation on metals as contaminants in food. For certain food additives, which include some essential minerals, speciation is an integral part of the set of specification criteria, because only certain defined chemical compounds are permitted as sources of the essential element. The development of more species-specific analytical and toxicological data, and improved communication with legislators will be necessary before it will become possible to lay down species-specific regulations in all the cases where the specialised scientist will consider it reasonable.