Comprehensive analysis of elemental distribution in human skin using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

The amounts and distributions of chemical elements in skin are important to maintain homeostasis. For example, gradients of Ca, K, and Mg have been well investigated and play roles in keratinocyte differentiation and water-impermeable barrier homeostasis. [1][2][3][4] These gradients are disrupted after barrier disruption or in patients with diseases associated with barrier dysfunction, such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. [4][5][6] Furthermore, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn in keratinocytes are involved in wound healing, 7-10 while Se has a role in protection against ultraviolet radiation (UV). 11 Several reports have suggested that Zn and Sr might be associated cutaneous pruritus. 12-14 Therefore, observation of the amounts and distributions of chemical elements in the skin can give us important information about skin pathology. So far, X-ray microanalysis methods, such as electron-probe X-ray microanalysis (XRMA) and particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), and fluorescence microscopy using chemical indicators have been used for this purpose. [4][5][6]15,16 However, XRMA

Review: Sulfur Analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

“…89 ICP-QMS with O2 reaction, ICP-QMS/QMS, HR-ICP-MS working at MR, and MC-ICP-MS working at edge mass resolution achieved the best relative standard deviations for δ 34 S of 0.26, 0.24, 0.08, and 0.003% respectively. 30 The measurements of 34 S + and 33 S + were reported in 64 and 31% articles, respectively, which can be attributed to the fact that the measurement of 34 S + is also used for determining the sulfur concentration and chemical speciation analysis, 7,9,15,17,23,31,36,44,55,56,59,61,63,64,74,75,82,85,86,90,94,96,108 whereas the measurement of 33 S + is mainly used for isotopic analyses. Notably, only the 34 S/ 32 S ratio is required for most isotopic analyses, whereas measuring 33 S/ 32 S requires extremely high sensitivity owing to the low abundance of 33 S.…”

“…91,113 Notably, 1 L of odor sample was actively drawn from a human cadaver at a sampling rate of 100 mL/min through a dual sorbent tube and collected in 1 mL of solution for analysis, that is, an enrichment factor of 1000-fold was achieved for the volatile organic species. 90 GC-ICP-QMS/QMS was used to analyze organosulfur pesticides in food samples and sulfur species in gasoline samples. 10,57 Notably, the sulfur species were measured using GC-ICP-QMS by monitoring 32 S + , as well as those measured using GC-ICP-QMS/QMS.…”

“…LA-ICP-QMS was used to determine the concentration of sulfur (or used as internal standard) in pea seedlings, pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, sulfides, magmatichydrothermal fluid, glass, minerals, melt inclusions, black shale, human skin, and thin-films. 19,23,35,38,43,66,74,84,90,111 The relatively higher concentrations of sulfur in the samples allowed for sulfur to be analyzed by the measurement of 34 S + . 23,74,90 The dry plasma conditions in LA-ICP-QMS suppressed the formation of 16 O2 + interferences and allowed the analysis of sulfur by measuring 32 S + .…”

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in the analysis of clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages

“…They concluded by urging others to avoid the use of this method especially when investigating the elemental distribution of labile metal ions. Nakanishi et al 164 described the use of LA-ICP-MS for the analysis of 38 elements in human skin following simple sectioning as sample preparation. Although the authors concluded that the levels observed for several elements was in line with previously reported data, in this work they did detect Ba, I, Mo and Sr for the first time.…”

“…197 Although other forms of asphyxia were included, the study is limited by an absence of freshwater drowning cases in the control cohort. 197 Nakanishi et al 164 developed a proof of concept method to simultaneously quantify 38 elements in human skin using LA-ICP-MS. The method was applied to 3 skin samples from healthy subjects, identifying Ba, I, Mo and Sr for the first time in human skin.…”