Estimation of Hair Toxic and Essential Trace Element and Mineral Profiles of Patients with Chronic Gout.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate hair levels of toxic and essential trace elements and minerals in male and female patients with chronic gout. A total of 223 examinees aged from 27 to 82 years old including 116 healthy controls (64 women and 52 men) and 107 patients with gout (56 women and 51 men) were enrolled in the current cross-sectional study. Analysis of hair toxic and essential trace element and mineral content was performed using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry.

Molecular mechanisms of environmental pollutant-induced cartilage damage: from developmental disorders to osteoarthritis.

The objective of the present study was to review the molecular mechanisms of the adverse effects of environmental pollutants on chondrocytes and extracellular matrix (ECM). Existing data demonstrate that both heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As), as well as organic pollutants, including polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), bisphenol A, phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), pesticides, and certain other organic pollutants that target cartilage ontogeny and functioning. Overall, environmental pollutants reduce chondrocyte viability through the induction apoptosis, senescence, and inflammatory response, resulting in cell death and impaired ECM production.

Association between serum trace element, mineral, and amino acid levels with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adult women.

Unlabelled: The objective of the present study is assessment of serum trace element and amino acid levels in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients with subsequent evaluation of its independent associations with markers of liver injury and metabolic risk.

Materials And Methods: 140 women aged 20-90 years old with diagnosed NAFLD and 140 healthy women with a respective age range were enrolled in the current study. Analysis of serum and hair levels of trace elements and minerals was performed with inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS).

The Role of Trace Elements and Minerals in Osteoporosis: A Review of Epidemiological and Laboratory Findings.

The objective of the present study was to review recent epidemiological and clinical data on the association between selected minerals and trace elements and osteoporosis, as well as to discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying these associations. We have performed a search in the PubMed-Medline and Google Scholar databases using the MeSH terms "osteoporosis", "osteogenesis", "osteoblast", "osteoclast", and "osteocyte" in association with the names of particular trace elements and minerals through 21 March 2023. The data demonstrate that physiological and nutritional levels of trace elements and minerals promote osteogenic differentiation through the up-regulation of BMP-2 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, as well as other pathways.

Smoking is associated with altered serum and hair essential metal and metalloid levels in women.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between smoking and essential metal (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, V, Zn) and metalloid (Se) levels in hair and serum of adult women using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In this cross-sectional study, a total of 344 women 20-70 years old including 199 smokers and 145 non-smoking women were enrolled. Serum Cu, Fe, and Zn levels in smoking women were found to be 6%, 8%, and 3% lower of levels in non-smokers, respectively.

Open-label study of ademetionine for the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis associated with alcoholic liver disease.

Background: The effect of oral and/or parenteral ademetionine (500 mg intravenous [IV] and tablet formulation) on clinical symptoms and biochemical markers of intrahepatic cholestasis (IHC) was investigated in subjects with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and compensated liver function.

Methods: Prospective, multicenter, open-label study consisting of a screening period and an 8-week treatment period and performed in subjects (18-75 years) with compensated ALD and confirmed IHC. Subjects with a baseline serum conjugated bilirubin value above normal range were initially treated with IV ademetionine for two weeks (500-800 mg daily) and continued with oral ademetionine 1500 mg daily for a further six weeks.