Trace Elements in Fingernails of Healthy Chinese Centenarians

Abstract

Trace element concentrations in body tissues of healthy centenarians have not been widely analyzed, yet they can be used as reference data leading to improved assessment of the aging process and monitoring of the micronutrient status of this age group. The present study sought to assess trace element concentrations and behaviors in the fingernails of healthy Chinese centenarians. The effects of gender on element concentrations, which also play an important role in determining the lifespan, were also investigated. Trace elements (Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, and Zn) in the fingernails of 78 healthy Chinese centenarians were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The overall reference values obtained in milligram per kilogram are as follows: Ba, 5.10; Cd, 0.031; Co, 0.101; Cr, 0.82; Cu, 3.71; Fe, 154.35; Li, 0.31; Mn, 3.09; Mo, 0.040; Ni, 0.95; Pb, 1.86; Se, 0.44; Sr, 6.20; and Zn, 147.96. Data analysis showed that only Cr and Se concentrations show a normal distribution, and no significant difference between male and female groups was found for any element except Cr. Result also revealed that sufficient Se, Co, and Zn as well as lower or lack of exposure to Cr contribute positively to the lifespan of centenarians. The results suggest that regulating in vivo contents of trace elements, especially Se, Co, and Zn, is reasonable to intervene with geriatric diseases.

A Correlation Between Diet and Longevity Characterization by Means of Element Profiles in Healthy People over 80 Years from a Chinese Longevous Region

“…The concentrations of Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Co, and Ni in nails were in the same range as in other population living in different areas including Henan Province and Hubei Province in Central China, while the Ba, Sr, and Se levels were comparatively lower than those in their results [5]. This could be attributed to the geological and geographical differences in the two distinct study areas and to the difference of age of the subjects.…”

“…Some essential trace elements play an important role in sustaining healthy aging, which is evidenced by some epidemiological investigations. Essential element deficiencies may contribute to the initiation and progression of a number of chronic diseases [4], including age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease [5]. Meanwhile, excessive accumulation of toxic elements in human tissues that results from heavy metal pollution may also pose health hazards for the human body [6].…”

Hair elements and healthy aging: a cross-sectional study in Hainan Island, China

“…Hair is an excretory tissue for essential, nonessential, and potentially toxic elements. In general, the amount of an element irreversibly incorporated into growing hair is useful in assessing the health and nutritional status of target populations (Li et al 2012). Therefore, hair element analysis provides an indirect test for physiological excess, deficiency, or maldistribution of elements in the body.…”

“…Moreover, trace elements, as well as vitamins and minerals, play an important role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis in the elderly and in preventing many age-associated diseases (Pike and Chandra 1995;Schmidt 1991). Compared with other biological specimens, such as blood and urine, hair sampling is less invasive, more convenient for storage and transport, and less hazardous (Li et al 2012), making it an attractive biomonitoring substrate.…”

“…Element concentrations in the tissues of healthy centenarians have not been widely analyzed, yet they can be used as reference data leading to an improved assessment of the aging process and the micronutrient status of this group (Li et al 2012). It has been reported that several characteristics such as age, sex, ethnicity, nutrition, and geographical location might affect element concentrations in human hair (Savarino et al 2001;Steinmaus et al 2000;Wilhelm et al 1991).…”