Influence of Dietary Copper Methionine Concentrations on Growth Performance, Digestibility of Nutrients, Serum Lipid Profiles, and Immune Defenses in Broilers Abstract A 42-day experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of dietary copper (Cu) concentrations on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and serum parameters in broilers aged from 1 to 42 days. Five hundred forty 1-day-old broilers were randomly assigned into 1 of the following 6 dietary treatments: (1) control (basal diet without supplemental Cu), (2) 15 mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu15), (3) 30 mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu30), (4) 60 mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu60), (5) 120 mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu120), and (6) 240 mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu240), Cu as copper methionine. A 4-day metabolism trial was conducted during the last week of the experiment feeding. The results showed that dietary Cu supplementation increased the average daily gain and the average daily feed intake (P < 0.01). The feed gain ratio, however, was not affected by dietary Cu (P > 0.10). Additionally, dietary Cu supplementation increased the digestibility of fat and energy (P < 0.05). The concentration of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased with dietary Cu supplementation (P < 0.05). The activities of serum Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05), glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05), and ceruloplasmin (P = 0.09), on the contrary, were increased by Cu addition. For immune indexes, dietary Cu supplementation increased serum IgA and IgM (P < 0.05). In addition, the activities of serum ALT increased with increasing dietary Cu supplementation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data suggest that Cu supplementation can increase fat digestibility and promote growth. Additionally, dietary Cu supplementation can reduce serum cholesterol and enhance antioxidant capacity in broilers.

Use of 2-Hydrazinobenzothiazole-Modified Copolymer(s) as Potential Chelating Agent for Sensitive and Selective Determination of Low Levels of Mercury in Seafood by Ultrasound-Assisted Cloud-Point Extraction Combined with Spectrophotometry Abstract In this study, a new method was developed for the pre-concentration of trace mercury from seafood samples prior to analysis by spectrophotometry. The method is based on the complexation between 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole (2-HBT)-modified copolymer(s) and Hg(II) in the presence of an ionic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), as sensitivity enhancer at pH 4.5 and the extraction of the complex into the surfactant-rich phase of polyethylene glycol tert-octylphenyl ether (Triton X-114) as the extractant. The variables affecting extraction efficiency were evaluated and optimized. Due to the observation that the modified copolymers are 2.5-fold more sensitive and selective to the Hg2+ ions than the CH3Hg+, the amounts of free Hg2+ and total Hg were determined at 325 nm by spectrophotometric detection of free Hg2+ and total Hg in the pre-treated and extracted fish samples using dilute acid mixture containing Triton X-114 and K2Cr2O7, before and after oxidation of CH3Hg+ to Hg2+ with mixture of KBr and KBrO3 in the acidic media. The amount of CH3Hg+ was calculated from the difference between total Hg and free Hg2+amounts. The accuracy was tested by analysis of two certified samples. The results were statistically in good agreement with the certified values, and the precision was lower than 6.4%. The limits of detection were 1.40 (1.58) and 1.91 (2.11) μg L−1 for Hg2+ from the two calibration solutions spiked before the pre-treatment, respectively. It has been observed that there is no significant matrix effect by comparison of slopes of the calibration curves. The method was applied to seafood samples for speciation analysis of free Hg2+ and CH3Hg+. In terms of speciation, while total Hg is detected in the range of 12.6–143.8 μg kg−1, the distribution of mercury in seafood was in the range of 7.4–53.3 μg kg−1 for CH3Hg+ and in 8.3–90.5 μg kg−1 for free Hg2+.

Salivary Nickel and Chromium Levels in Orthodontic Patients with and Without Periodontitis: a Preliminary Historical Cohort Study Abstract Many periodontal patients may need orthodontic treatment. Alterations in oral environment particularly the reduction of pH in periodontal patients could affect metal ion release from orthodontic appliances. However, there is no study on metal ion release in periodontal patients. The aim of this preliminary study was to comparatively evaluate, for the first time, salivary levels of nickel and chromium in periodontal patients (versus healthy controls) under orthodontic treatment for 2 months. In this in vivo study, 40 subjects were evaluated. Patient selection and standardization of orthodontic treatment protocols were prospectively designed and performed. Two groups of n = 20 each (control: healthy orthodontic patients, cohort: orthodontic patients with periodontitis) underwent similar protocols of fixed orthodontic treatment for 2 months. After 2 months, salivary nickel and chromium concentrations of the case and cohort groups were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The values were compared between the two groups using t test. There were 10 men and 10 women in each group. The mean age of patients was 34.6 ± 3.6 years old. The salivary level of nickel was 338.2 ± 235.5 ng/ml and 182.8 ± 116.5 ng/ml in the cohort and control groups, respectively (P = 0.0118). The salivary level of chromium was 7.4 ± 3.15 ng/ml in the cohort and 6.35 ± 2.39 ng/ml in the control group (P = 0.2214). Salivary level of nickel might be considerably higher in periodontal patients undergoing 2 months of orthodontic treatment compared to orthodontic patients with healthy gingivae.

Hair Trace Element Levels in Han and Indigenous Hualien Inhabitants in Taiwan Abstract The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of ethnicity on hair trace element content in Han and aboriginal inhabitants of Hualien in Taiwan. Fifty Han (female/male = 35/15) and 50 aboriginal (female/male = 40/10) Hualien inhabitants aged 40–60 years were involved in the present study. Anthropometric data and dietary patterns were recorded. Hair mineral, essential, and toxic trace element levels were assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry at NexION 300D (PerkinElmer Inc., USA) equipped with ESI SC-2 DX4 autosampler (Elemental Scientific Inc., USA). No group difference in gender, age, body weight, height, or physical activity was observed. Fish intake was more frequent in Han inhabitants, whereas aborigines consumed significantly more nuts. Indigenous people were characterized by higher hair Al (45%), Ca (threefold), Co (71%), Fe (twofold), I (74%), K (60%), Mg (2.5-fold), Na (62%), P (6%), Sn (78%), and V (46%) content. In turn, Han Hualien inhabitants had higher hair Be (twofold), Li, Se, Si levels as compared to indigenous counterparts. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that ethnicity was significantly associated with hair Ca (β = 0.302), Mn (β = 0.284), P (β = 0.387), and Se (β = − 0.310) levels after adjustment for other confounders. At the same time, the overall models were significant for Ca, Mn, Se, and As. The obtained data may provide a background for monitoring and correction of trace element status in patients of different ethnic groups. However, further detailed studies are required to highlight the mechanisms underlying the observed associations.

The Effects of Magnesium and Vitamin E Co-Supplementation on Hormonal Status and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Abstract Synergistic approach of magnesium and vitamin E may benefit clinical symptoms of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through improving their metabolic profiles and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. This study was designed to determine the effects of magnesium and vitamin E co-supplementation on hormonal status and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in women with PCOS. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 60 women with PCOS, aged 18–40 years old. Participants were randomly divided into two groups to take 250 mg/day magnesium plus 400 mg/day vitamin E supplements or placebo (n = 30 each group) for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after the 12-week intervention to quantify related variables. Magnesium and vitamin E co-supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in hirsutism (β − 0.37; 95% CI, − 0.70, − 0.05; P = 0.02) and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (β − 0.67 mg/L; 95% CI, − 1.20, − 0.14; P = 0.01), and a significant increase in plasma nitric oxide (NO) (β 3.40 μmol/L; 95% CI, 1.46, 5.35; P = 0.001) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (β 66.32 mmol/L; 95% CI, 43.80, 88.84; P < 0.001). Overall, magnesium and vitamin E co-supplementation for 12 weeks may benefit women with PCOS on hirsutism, serum hs-CRP, plasma NO, and TAC levels. Clinical trial registration number http://www.irct.ir: IRCT2017082733941N8

The Effect of Mercury Chloride and Boric Acid on Rat Erythrocyte Enzymes Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mercury chloride and boric acid on rat (Wistar albino) erythrocyte: glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphoglucona-te dehydrogenase (6PGD), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes in vivo, and the rat erythrocyte G6PD enzyme in vitro. In the in vivo study, 24 male rats were divated into three different groups: control (C), mercury chloride (M), and mercury chloride + boric acid (M + BA). At the completion of this study, a significant degree of inhibition for both G6PD and GST enzyme activity was observed in the M groups when compared to the C group (p < 0.05), and no significant effect was observed in the 6PGD enzyme. However, there was significantly increased TrxR and GR enzyme activity of both the M and M + BA groups (p < 0.05). In the in vitro study, the G6PD enzyme from rat erythrocytes was purified with 2′,5′-ADP Sepharose-4B affinity chromatography, and the effect of both mercury chloride and boric acid on the enzyme activity was investigated. The results showed that boric acid increased the G6PD enzyme activity while the mercury ions that inhibited the enzyme activity (IC50 values of 346 μM and Ki values of 387 μM) were noncompetitive.

Metvan, bis (4,7-Dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)sulfatooxidovanadium(IV): DFT and Spectroscopic Study—Antitumor Action on Human Bone and Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines Abstract The complex bis(4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenantroline)sulfatooxidovanadium(IV), commonly known as Metvan, was prepared using a known synthetic procedure. Its optimized molecular structure was obtained by DFT calculations, as it was impossible to grow single crystals adequate for a crystallographic study. The complex was also characterized by a detailed analysis of its infrared spectrum, supported by the theoretical calculations, and also by some data derived from its Raman spectrum. In addition, cytotoxicity studies were performed using human osteosarcoma (MG-63) and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell lines. The results show that Metvan impaired cell viability of both cancer cell lines in a low concentration range (0.25–5.0 μM).

Prenatal and Early Postnatal Exposure to Total Mercury and Methylmercury from Low Maternal Fish Consumption Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of low fish consumption on prenatal and early postnatal exposure to mercury species. The samples of umbilical cord blood and maternal milk as well as interviewer-administered questionnaires were collected from 142 Slovak mother-child pairs. The mean total mercury (THg) concentrations in cord blood and milk were 0.949 μg/L and 0.376 μg/kg, respectively. The mean methylmercury (MeHg) concentration in cord blood was 0.504 μg/L. Fish eaters had significantly higher cord blood MeHg concentrations than non-fish eaters (p = 0.030); no difference was found in milk or cord blood THg concentrations. The bivariate analysis showed a positive correlation between cord blood MeHg and consumption of sea fish and shellfish (rs = 0.320, p < 0.001); after adjustment for the potential confounders, the association was weakened (β = 0.173, p = 0.059). Nevertheless, the decision tree method showed sea fish and shellfish consumption to be the best predictor of cord blood MeHg. Furthermore, a negative association was found between THg concentrations in maternal milk and freshwater fish consumption (β = − 0.193, p = 0.017), which might indicate a beneficial effect of freshwater fish consumption. The results suggest there is a need for future research to investigate the benefits versus the adverse effects of low maternal fish consumption on child development.

A New Insight on Activation of Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) in Malignant Melanoma upon Exposure to CuSO4 Abstract Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are semi-conserved subtypes of long-terminal repeats containing retrotransposons that constitute approximately 8% of the genome. Under pathological conditions, the expression of HERVs is also affected by epigenetic modifications. The extent to which the activation of human endogenous retroviruses can be influenced upon exposure to copper remains to be evaluated. Thus, the present study was designed to evaluate the effects of CuSO4 administration on the transcriptional activity of three HERV families (H, K, and W) in human malignant melanoma cells. For this purpose, following the determination of less cytotoxic concentrations of copper sulfate, the human skin malignant melanoma SK-MEL-37 cells were treated with 25, 50, and 75 μM CuSO4 for 96 h. Then, mRNA expression of env gene of HERV-H, HERV-K, and HERV-W was evaluated by qPCR. According to the results, 96-h treatment of SK-MEL-37 cells with 75 μM CuSO4 could significantly downregulate HERV-H evn expression (P < 0.05). Moreover, exposure of 25 μM copper significantly upregulated the expression of HERV-K env (P < 0.05). Regarding HERV-W env, the expression level increased significantly in all treated concentrations (P < 0.05). It seems that the expression change was decreased in both HERV-W and HERV-K by increasing doses. The study results demonstrated that copper exposure to melanoma cells might promote tumor growth by inducing HERVs and/or control tumor development by decreasing the activation of HERVs in defined levels of copper. According to the findings of this study, copper might exert a binary effect on malignant melanoma.

Trace Elements Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Insulin Resistance Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of multifactorial origin. Studies have shown that trace elements such as zinc and copper may help maintain optimum function of the immune system and metabolism, while toxic metals such as lead may increase systemic autoimmunity. The current study aimed to assess the relationship between serum concentration of lithium (Li), vanadium (V), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) and SLE diagnosis, disease activity measured by SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and insulin resistance (IR). This case-control, cross-sectional study included 225 patients, 120 healthy controls, and 105 SLE patients. Serum concentration of Li, V, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, and Pb was measured. Serum concentrations of V (p < 0.001), Zn (p < 0.001), and Pb (p < 0.001) were lower and Mo (p < 0.001) and Li (p < 0.001) were higher in patients with SLE compared to healthy controls. SLE diagnosis was associated with higher serum Li (p < 0.001) concentration and lower V (p < 0.001), Zn (p = 0.003), and Pb (p = 0.020). Toxic metals and trace elements were not associated with disease activity. Levels of Cd were higher in patients with IR (p = 0.042). There was no significant association between IR and the other metals. The results indicate that SLE patients have different profiles of trace elements and toxic metals compared to healthy controls. While some toxic metals and trace elements were found to be associated with SLE diagnosis, they had no effect on disease activity and IR.