Iodine Status and the Effect of Soil Erosion on Trace Elements in Nanka and Oba Towns of Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) is common in all populations. Iodine and other trace elements naturally occur in the soil but erosion leaches off these elements from the soil. This results in a continued loss of trace elements from the soil. In the present study, the levels of iodine, selenium, zinc and lead in the environment (measured in soil, bitter leaves (Vernonia amygdalina), cassava roots (mannihot utilissima, staple food in Nigeria), and drinking water) and urinary iodine from school children (n=200), pregnant women (n=60) and women of child bearing age (n=60) were determined for Nanka prone to soil erosion and Oba all in Anambra State, Nigeria (used as control) to assess their risk to IDD. The levels of selenium, zinc and lead were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry while the levels of iodine in the environment and urinary iodine were estimated using the method of Dunn et al.,(1993). In this study there was a positive correlation between iodine and the metals. The results show that the mean concentrations of total soil zinc (0.69 +/- 0.16 ppm); lead (0.40 +/- 0.12 ppm) values in Oba were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than values from Nanka (Zn = 0.33 +/- 0.10 ppm; Pb = 0.21 +/- 0.09 ppm). However, total soil values for selenium and iodine in soil were not significantly different in the two communities. Mean concentration of total vegetable zinc (0.63 +/- 0.14 ppm) value in Oba is significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the value from Nanka (Zn = 0.31 +/- 0.07 ppm). However, total vegetable values for I, Se and Pb were not significantly different in the two communities. Also, mean concentration of total cassava zinc (0.65 = 0.15 ppm) in Oba was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than Zn (0.44 +/- 0.1l ppm) from Nanka. However, values for Se, Pb, and I were not significantly different in the two communities. Mean concentration of total water iodine (105.25 +/- 10.44 microg/L) in Oba was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the value from Nanka (I = 89.8 +/- 6.42 microg/L). However, total water values for Se, Zn, and Pb were not significantly different in the two communities. The mean urinary iodine concentration of 170.65 +/- 27.17 microg/L in school children from Oba was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the mean concentration of 156.12 +/- 16.48 microg/L found in school children from Nanka. However, the mean urinary iodine concentration of all the women (pregnant and non-pregnant) were not significantly different in the two communities but they are below the recommended daily intake. The results show that people living in Nanka and Oba, could be at risk of IDD.

Low serum selenium concentration is associated with preeclampsia in pregnant women from Bangladesh

“…We found no significant difference in selenium level between rural preeclamptic pregnant women and the urban group (p > 0.05). This finding is in line with previously conducted study in Nigeria [32].However, another study in other part of Nigeria found statistically significant difference for selenium between both communities [33].As per as we know,this is the first study which attempted to evaluate theconcentrationof selenium in terms of the severity of the disease. For this reason, we further categorized the preeclampsia patients in mild and severe classes.…”

“…The main reason for decreased selenium in these patients may be due to transfer of selenium from maternal blood to the tissues of the growing fetus. [32]. This could also due to poor absorption of selenium from the gastrointestinal tract, or inadequate renal reabsorption leading toenhanced glomerular filtration rate in preeclamptic pregnant women [30].…”

Endemic goiter and iodine deficiency status among Guinea-Bissau school-age children

“…It not only affects the human direct intake of iodine from water but also influences the iodine content of food produced regionally with positive correlation with local population total goiter rate and median urinary iodine excretion [37]. Our data on median regional iodine concentration in drinking water ranged from 2.4 and 16.2 mcg/ l, in line with some previous reports, but well below other West Africa results [6,38]. Its current contribute to total iodine intake of SAC in Guinea-Bissau is unknown.…”

Micronutrient levels in the plasma of Nigerian females with breast cancer

“…Chronic occupational and environmental exposure to Pb has lead to increase in serum Pb level which causes anaemia, peripheral neuropathy and venal tubular dysfunction (Olife et al, 2007). Also, there is strong evidence that hexavalent Cr causes cancer in laboratory animals when it is consumed in drinking water.…”