Trace Elements and Antibacterial Activity in Amniotic Fluid

Honkonen, Erkki; Nántö, V.; Hyörä, H; Vuorinen, Klas; Erkkola, Risto

doi:10.1159/000242557

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Potentially significant sources of such contaminants include the amniotic fluid, in which fetal hair is permanently bathed during gestation and known to contain measurable concentrations of trace elements [9][10][11][12][13]. Others include uterine secretions [14], placental and deciduous matter, and maternal blood [15], all of which are likely to come into contact with the fetal scalp, particularly in the event of obstetric complications resulting in hemorrhaging and/or surgical intervention.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparative Evaluation of Three Washing Procedures for Minimizing Exogenous Trace Element Contamination in Fetal Scalp Hair of Various Obstetric Outcomes

Razagui

2008

Biol Trace Elem Res

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A comparative evaluation of three washing methods for removing exogenous elemental contamination from fetal scalp hair is described. A total of 12 samples, including 6 from normal pregnancies and 6 from abruptio placentae (AP) cases, were used. Each was divided into four subsamples, with one left unwashed for comparison, while three were subjected to one of the three washing methods. The first consisted of agitating hair for 5 min in sequential and equal measures (30 ml) of acetone and water, followed by rinsing with acetone, and the process repeated twice. In the second and third, hair was agitated for 30 min in aqueous solutions of sodium lauryl sulfate (0.5%, w/v), and Triton X-100 (0.5%, v/v), respectively, followed by sequential rinsing with deionized water and acetone. After drying and microwave-assisted digestion in concentrated nitric acid, the subsamples' concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium, lead, mercury and selenium were determined using inductively coupled mass spectrometry. All washed subsamples, irrespective of washing method used, had lower elemental concentrations than the corresponding, unwashed subsamples. These differences, taken as presumptive indicators of exogenous contamination, showed only small variations (<5%) between the three washing methods, irrespective of element, mode of delivery, and obstetric outcome. However, the contamination levels elicited by each of the three methods varied in magnitude according to individual elements, with those of copper being highest, followed by those of zinc, cadmium, mercury, selenium, and lead. They also varied according to obstetric outcome, being highest in the AP subsamples, while in the normal pregnancy group, copper and zinc contamination levels in the subsamples from neonates delivered by elective caesarean section were higher than in those from normal-delivery neonates. The data from this study suggest that the three washing methods used have comparable efficacies in removing exogenous elemental contamination from fetal hair, further inferring that it is probably a simple biological matrix to decontaminate. Possible contributory factors are discussed and contrasted with those affecting adult hair.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparative Evaluation of Three Washing Procedures for Minimizing Exogenous Trace Element Contamination in Fetal Scalp Hair of Various Obstetric Outcomes

Razagui

2008

Biol Trace Elem Res

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“…Elevated calcium levels can result in pre-eclampsia and spina bifida, while low levels are associated with preterm deliveries (33)(34)(35)(36)(37). Low levels of magnesium have been associated with pre-eclampsia and possible fetal growth retardation (12,13,(38)(39)(40). High bicarbonate may indicate complicated twin-twin transfusion syndromes (41), while phosphate plays a role in antimicrobial activity (42)(43)(44).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sodium contributes to the regulation of water-electrolyte balance of the amniotic fluid, high chloride reflects possible renal pathologies, high potassium and calcium can be signs of pre-eclampsia, high phosphate indicates reduced antibacterial activity, magnesium and zinc (Zn) assess the risk of fetal growth retardation (8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Potassium, phosphate and Zn also affect normal antimicrobial activity (13)(14)(15). Some heavy metal ions can also be traced in the amniotic fluid, and small amounts of these elements are normal.…”

Section: Heavy Metal Ion Concentration In the Amniotic Fluid Of Preterm And Term Pregnancies From Two Cities With Different Industrial Oumentioning

confidence: 99%

Heavy metal ion concentration in the amniotic fluid of preterm and term pregnancies from two cities with different industrial output

et al. 2021

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The growth and development of the fetus is a complex phenomenon that can be influenced by several variables. High quantities of heavy metal ions in the amniotic fluid have been linked to poor health, especially in industrial, polluted and poor areas. The aim of the present study was to assess the differences in the concentration of these ions between preterm (weeks 15-37) and term pregnancies (starting at week 37). Another objective was to compare pregnancies from two cities with different industry levels. Two sample lots from two Romanian cities were analyzed. A total of 100 patients from Timisoara were compared with 60 from Petrosani, a heavy industry city in Romania. Demographic data were collected, and amniocentesis was performed on all women. Lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations were assessed. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametric data and the Fisher's exact test for categorical data. In addition, categorical data was represented graphically. In the Timisoara cohort, the differences in heavy metal concentrations between preterm and term pregnancies were not statistically significant. In the Petrosani cohort, however, the concentrations of Zn (P=0.02606) and Cd (P=0.01512) were higher in preterm than in term pregnancies. When comparing the two cohorts as a whole, the concentration of Pb (P=0.04513), Cd (P=0.00002), As (P=0.03027) and Zn (P<0.00001) were higher in the patients from Petrosani than in those from Timisoara. Only Cu concentrations were higher in the Timisoara cohort (P<0.00001). The concentrations of Ni (P=0.78150) and Fe (P=0.44540) did not differ statistically. Thus, amniocentesis is an important diagnostic and exploratory tool in determining differences in the concentrations of elements such as heavy metal ions. Research over a longer period of time should be carried out to examine the relation between heavy metal ions concentration and possible postnatal health outcomes.

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