Association between essential trace and toxic elements in scalp hair samples of smokers rheumatoid arthritis subjects

Abstract

The incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been increased among people who possess habit of tobacco smoking. In the present study, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were determined in scalp hair samples of smokers and nonsmokers RA patients, residents of Dublin, Ireland. For comparison purposes scalp hair samples of age and sex matched healthy smokers and nonsmokers were also analyzed. The concentrations of understudied elements were measured by inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer, prior to microwave assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of methodology was checked using certified reference material (NCS ZC 81002b) and by the conventional wet acid digestion method on the same certified reference material and on real samples. The mean hair Zn, Cu and Mn contents were significantly lower in smokers and nonsmokers RA patients as compared to healthy individuals (p = 0.01-0.001). Whereas the concentrations of Cd and Pb were significantly higher in scalp hair samples of RA patients of both group (p <0.001). The referent smokers have high level of Cd and Pb in their scalp hair samples as compared to those had not smoking tobacco (p <0.01). The ratio of Cd and Pb to Zn, Cu and Mn in scalp hair samples was also calculated. The Cd/Zn ratio was higher in smoker RA patients with re-lated to nonsmoker RA and referents. This study is compelling evidence in support of positive associations between toxic elements, cigarette smoking, deficiency of essential trace elements and risk of arthritis.

Human hair analysis in relation to similar environmental and occupational exposure

“…They naturally accumulate relatively high levels of elements such as Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd or Fe. This may be the answer why subjects who declared to be smokers had higher amounts of Cu in hair than non-smokers (Afridi et al, 2011;Serdar et al 2012). Surprisingly, the content of Pb was at the similar level in hair of non-smokers and smokers.…”

A new washing procedure for inorganic element analysis of hair

“…Currently, urine, blood, and plasma [1] are extensively used as biological matrices for conducting HBM, yet the hair matrix is much less used for such a purpose. However, recent instrumental developments have provided typical use of this matrix for both organic and inorganic pollutants [2].…”

The Effect of Occupational Lead Exposure on Blood Levels of Zinc, Iron, Copper, Selenium and Related Proteins

“…Zinc (Zn) is essential for cellular membrane integrity and metabolism [2] as a central part of over 300 enzymes and proteins [12]. Similar to Se, Zn has been shown to possess antioxidant properties caused by its requirement for superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity [13]. Therefore, Zn not only reduces lead-induced oxidative stress but also competes with lead for similar binding sites [11].…”