Effects of Hypoxia on Contents of Essential Elements in Pika and Rat Heart

Abstract

The effects of hypoxia on the levels of essential macroelements and trace elements (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn) in the heart muscles of Wistar rats and plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) were studied by atomic absorption spectrometry. Unlike the rat, the plateau pika is tolerant to hypoxia. The levels of K, Na, and the trace element Mn were not significantly changed in rat or pika hearts after exposure to hypoxia for 1, 10, or 25 d at simulated altitudes of 5000 and 7000 m. Other minerals (Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, and Fe) were significantly affected by hypoxia and the levels followed different time-courses under different hypoxic regimes in these two animals. There were marked differences between the rat and pika in myocardial accumulation of essential elements such as Ca, which was increased to high levels in the rat but not affected in the pika. The results suggest that hypoxia affects animal physiological mechanisms by regulating the levels of essential elements.

Serum levels of trace minerals and heavy metals in severe COPD patients with and without pulmonary hypertension

“… 10 Many trace elements play important roles in the activation or inhibition of enzymatic reactions or the oxidant/antioxidant balance. 3 Hence, trace elements may be involved either directly or indirectly in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including COPD. 11 It has been shown that trace mineral supplementation may aid in the reduction of the period spent on mechanical ventilation.…”

“…Trace minerals play an important role in the metabolism, starting from the lowest level of intracellular life extending to the functional activity of the largest organs. 2 , 3 Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by the intimal and medial proliferation of the small pulmonary arteries, which in turn leads to the development of secondary fibrotic and plexiform vascular lesions. Increased pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressures in PH constitute a life-threatening situation owing to the increase in afterload leading to right ventricular failure.…”

Macro and trace elements in edible tissues of Carcinus maenas and Necora puber

“…The levels of essential elements in the tissues of animals (including crustaceans) can be regulated according to the physiological condition of the specimens, while dead animals cannot perform such regulation. 31,32 In this way, dead animals release or take up elements according to their availability in seawater. This fact likely explains the differences found in elemental composition between dead and live crabs.…”

Cancer Influences the Elemental Composition of the Myocardium More Strongly than Conjugated Linoleic Acids-Chemometric Approach to Cardio-Oncological Studies

“…Several elements (Se, Cr, Cu, Mg, Zn, Li and V) are suspected of being involved in the genesis of arteriosclerotic heart disease [ 11 ]. Cu and Fe are involved in many aspects of energy metabolism and are important in the synthesis of hemoglobin, myoglobin and cytochromes [ 12 ]. Se deficiency disturbs the optimal functioning of several cellular mechanisms and may promote the development of atherosclerosis [ 13 ].…”

“…Low Se concentration is also a risk factor for arterial hypertension and myocardial infarction, and a factor aggravating symptoms of myocardial ischemia [ 10 ]. Some trace elements modulate functions of cellular pro- and antioxidant systems [ 10 ], e.g., Cu, Zn and Mn protect against the effects of increased free reactive oxygen species via Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase and Mn superoxide dismutase [ 12 ]. This is of great importance, as the heart is prone to oxidative damage as it has lower activity of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase) than other tissues (e.g., liver) [ 14 ].…”