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For the first time, the contents of rare earth elements (REEs) in a rib bone of a healthy human were determined. The mean value of the contents of Ce, Dy, Er, Gd, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, and Yb (10 elements out of 17 total REEs), as well as the upper limit of means for Ho, Lu, Tm, and Y (4 elements) were measured in the rib bone tissue of 38 females and 42 males (15 to 55 years old) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). We found age-related accumulation of REEs in the bone tissue of healthy individuals who lived in a non-industrial region. It was calculated that during a lifespan the content of REEs in a skeleton of non-industrial region residents may increase by one to two orders of magnitude. Using our results as indicative normal values and published data we estimated relative Gd accumulation in the bone tissue of patients according to magnetic resonance imaging with contrast agent and La accumulation in the bone tissue of patients receiving hemodialysis after treatment with lanthanum carbonate as a phosphate binder. It was shown that after such procedures contents of Gd and La in the bone tissue of patients are two to three orders of magnitude higher than normal levels. In our opinion, REEs incorporation may affect bone quality and health similar to other potentially toxic trace metals. The impact of elevated REEs content on bone physiology, biochemistry and morphology requires further investigation.

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The effect of age and gender on 59 trace-element contents in rib bone of 80 apparently healthy 15-55-year-old women (n = 38) and men (n = 42) was investigated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) for the mass fraction (milligrams per kilogram, on dry-weight basis) of Ba, Bi, Cd, Ce, Cu, Dy, Er, Gd, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Nd, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sm, Sr, Tb, Tl, U, Yb, and Zn for both female and male taken together were: Ba 2.5 ± 0.2, Bi 0.015 ± 0.002, Cd 0.044 ± 0.005, Ce 0.029 ± 0.002, Cu 1.05 ± 0.06, Dy 0.0020 ± 0.0003, Er 0.0011 ± 0.0002, Gd 0.0015 ± 0.0001, La 0.020 ± 0.002, Li 0.040 ± 0.002, Mn 0.354 ± 0.004, Mo 0.052 ± 0.006, Nd 0.011 ± 0.001, Pb 2.24 ± 0.14, Pr 0.0032 ± 0.0004, Rb 1.51 ± 0.06, Sm 0.0014 ± 0.0001, Sr 291 ± 20, Tb 0.00041 ± 0.00005, Tl 0.00050 ± 0.00003, U 0.0013 ± 0.0001, Yb 0.00072 ± 0.00007, and Zn 92.8 ± 1.5, respectively. The upper limit of mean contents of Ag, Al, B, Be, Br, Cr, Cs, Hg, Ho, Lu, Ni, Sb, Te, Th, Ti, Tm, and Y were: Ag ≤ 0.011, Al ≤ 7.2, B ≤ 0.65, Be ≤ 0.0032, Br ≤ 3.9, Cr ≤ 0.25, Cs ≤ 0.0077, Hg ≤ 0.018, Ho ≤ 0.00053, Lu ≤ 0.00024, Ni ≤ 1.05, Sb ≤ 0.0096, Te ≤ 0.0057, Th ≤ 0.0030, Ti ≤ 2.8, Tm ≤ 0.00006, and Y ≤ 0.0047, respectively. In all bone samples, the contents of As, Au, Co, Eu, Ga, Hf, Ir, Nb, Pd, Pt, Re, Rh, Sc, Se, Sn, Ta, V, W, and Zr were under detection limits. The Ce, Dy, Er, Gd, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, and Yb contents increase with age. Higher Sr mass fraction is typical of female rib as compared to those in male bone.

The effect of age and gender on major, minor, and trace element contents in the intact rib bone of 80 relatively healthy 15-55-year-old women and men was investigated. Contents or upper limit of contents of 16 chemical elements in the rib bone were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Mean values (M +/- SEpsilonMu) for the mass fraction of Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Na, P, S, Sr, and Zn (milligram per kilogram of dry bone) were as follows: 2.54 +/- 0.16, 171,400 +/- 4,050, 1.35 +/- 0.22, 140 +/- 11, 1,874 +/- 71, 0.049 +/- 0.011, 2,139 +/- 38, 5,378 +/- 88, 75,140 +/- 1,660, 1,881 +/- 51, 291 +/- 20, and 92.8 +/- 1.5, respectively. The upper limits of contents of Al, B, Mn, and V were <7.20, <0.65, <0.36, and <0.03, respectively. Statistically significant tendency for the Ca, Mg, and P content to decrease with age was found in the human rib bone, regardless of gender. The mass fraction of Fe in the male rib bone increases with age. It was shown that higher Ca, Mg, Na, P, and Sr mass fractions as well as lower Fe content were typical of female ribs as compared to those in male ribs.