Minor and Trace Elements in Whole Blood, Tissues, Proteins and Immunoglobulins of Mammals

Abstract

Microelements play different important roles in many physiological processes in all biological systems in both normal physiological and pathological conditions. They take part in the transport of nutrients and gases, support temperature, acid-base balance, homeostasis of the human organisms, maternal and child mental health, the functioning of enzymes, protein and DNA syntheses, cytoskeleton activation, etc. We have performed simultaneous determination of a number of minor and trace elements in whole blood and tissues of mammals by two-jet plasma atomic emission spectrometry (TJP-AES). TJP-AES allows direct analysis of powders without wet acid digestion and can be used for analysis of both large and small amount of the sample, which is important for biomedical investigations with humans and experimental animals. In addition, a content of different elements in preparations of human immunoglobulins was estimated by TJP-AES as well as using different physicochemical methods, the functional role of metal ions in antibodies functioning was analyzed. The analysis of the relative activity of antibodies with catalytic activity (abzymes) in the hydrolysis of DNA, RNA, proteins, peptides and oxidation-reduction reactions and the role of metal ions in the catalysis of these reactions by abzymes were carried out.

Splenic Elemental Composition of Breast Cancer-Suffering Rats Supplemented with Pomegranate Seed Oil and Bitter Melon Extract

“…Abzymes are monoclonal antibodies with catalytic properties, which may be found in organisms suffering from autoimmune diseases. Ions of Co 2+ -activated mammalian DNase I, however, the relative activity of metal-dependent enzymes hydrolyzing DNA depends also on the type and timing of the disease as well as on the individual variability [39]. Levels of Co were significantly lower in the spleen of DMBA-treated rats in comparison to healthy animals and remained unchanged, regardless of the applied supplementation.…”

“…Microelements play different important roles in many metabolic processes in all biological systems in both physiological and pathological conditions [39]. Immune cells and their effector activities are sensitive to marginal and moderate deficiencies of trace elements, e.g., zinc deficiency in mice decreased levels of IgA both in serum and in mucosa [40].…”