Trace elements in the human blood, cerebrospinal and amniotic fluid.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Human Biology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Elemental analysis of human biological samples is crucial for understanding health.
• Variations in micro- and macro-element concentrations can indicate physiological or environmental factors.
• Previous research has not comprehensively detailed age, sex, and health-related elemental profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the concentrations of 27 micro- and macro-elements in human serum and cerebrospinal fluid.
• To investigate variations in elemental concentrations across different demographic groups (chronic disease patients, blood donors, pregnant women, newborns).
• To assess the influence of age, sex, and maternal-fetal transfer on elemental profiles.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the atomic emission method for elemental analysis.
• Analyzed biological samples from 1221 human subjects.
• Compared elemental concentrations across patient groups, age cohorts, and sexes.

Main Results:

• Identified characteristic differences in barium, mercury, nickel, and gallium concentrations in serum samples.
• Observed age and sex-dependent changes in micro-element concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, particularly after ages 45 and 60.
• Found near-identical element concentrations in maternal and newborn serum, except for aluminum, barium, and iron, indicating significant placental transfer, especially for lead.

Conclusions:

• Elemental profiles in human biological samples are influenced by health status, age, and sex.
• Placental transfer of elements occurs, with lead showing particularly high concentrations in newborns.
• The findings provide valuable data for human health and environmental exposure assessments.