OBJECTIVE: To establish an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method for determination of Cr, Cd, As, Tl and Pb in blood. METHODS: The samples were digested by microwave digestion instrument. ICP-MS was applied to determine Cr, Cd, As, Tl and Pb in blood by using 115In as an internal standard. RESULTS: The limits of detection were in the range of 0.00001-0.00249 microg/L. The accuracy of the method ranged from 90.1% to 110.7% and the precision ranged from 4.0% to 7.9%. CONCLUSION The method is accurate and rapid with superior sensitivity and linear range. It could be used in the poisoning cases caused by Cr, Cd, As, Tl and Pb.
Arsenic/blood* ; Cadmium/blood* ; Chromium/blood* ; Forensic Toxicology ; Humans ; Lead/blood* ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Metals, Heavy/blood* ; Titanium/blood*

OBJECTIVEPurpose of the study was to investigate the content of Nickel (Ni) and Chromium (Cr) ion in gingival tissue and blood, and to discuss the reason of gray line in gingival after wearing non-noble Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal crown.

METHODS38 rabbits were selected as experimental animals which were divided into three groups: control group, group 1 (3 months) and group 2 (6 months). The content of Ni and Cr ion in gingival tissue and blood was detected by atomic absorption spectrometer.

RESULTSThe amount of Ni and Cr in group 2 was significantly higher than that in other groups (P < 0.05) . There was no difference between group 1 and control group (P > 0.05) .

CONCLUSIONThe reason of gingival colouration might be the electrochemical corrosion. The metal ion was released in gingival tissue and blood.

Animals ; Chromium ; blood ; chemistry ; Crowns ; Dental Porcelain ; Gingiva ; chemistry ; Hares ; Nickel ; blood ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the chromium (Cr) levels in blood and urine among general population in China between 2009 and 2010, and thereby to analyze its prevalent features.

METHODSFrom year 2009 to 2010, a total of 11 983 subjects of general population aged between 6 and 60 year-old were recruited from 24 districts in 8 provinces in eastern, central and western China mainland, by cluster random sampling method. The information about their living environment and health status were collected by questionnaire, and 11 983 blood samples and 11 853 urine samples were also collected. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied to test the Cr level both in blood and urine; and the Cr distribution in blood and urine among groups of population in different ages, genders and districts, were then analyzed.

RESULTSAmong general population in China, the geometric mean (GM) of Cr concentration in blood was 1.19 µg/L, with median at 1.74 µg /L and 95% percentile at 5.59 µg/L. The Cr concentration in blood among males and females were separately 1.18 µg/L and 1.20 µg/L(P > 0.05); while its GM in the groups of population aged 6 - 12, 12 - 16, 16 - 20, 20 - 30, 30 - 45 and 45 - 60 years old were 1.00, 1.22, 1.01, 1.40, 1.27 and 1.30 µg/L (P < 0.01), respectively; and the figures in populations from eastern, central and western China were 1.00, 1.70 and 1.98 µg/L (P < 0.01), respectively. Among general population, the GM of Cr concentration in urine was 0.53 µg/L, with median was lower than 0.42 µg/L and 95% percentile at 3.53 µg/L. The Cr concentration in urine among males and females were separately 0.52 µg/L and 0.53 µg/L (P > 0.05);while its GM in the groups of population aged 6 - 12, 12 - 16, 16 - 20, 20 - 30, 30 - 45 and 45 - 60 years old were 0.56, 0.60, 0.52, 0.50, 0.52 and 0.46 µg/L (P < 0.01), respectively;and the figures in populations from eastern, central and western China were 0.58, < 0.42 and 0.60 µg/L (P < 0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe study reported the Cr levels in blood and urine among general population in China, and thereby provided basic data evidence for the following Cr biological monitoring studies in near future.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; China ; Chromium ; blood ; urine ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Population Surveillance ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the immunological function parameters in patients undergoing dental restoration of nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr).

METHODSSeven hundred and ninety-five Ni-Cr alloy consumers as exposure group, together with 198 controls, were surveyed by the questionnaire and the biological examination of immunological function.

RESULTSAfter splitting all subjects into three groups of equal sample size by urinary Ni or urinary Cr, serum interleukin-1beta(IL-1β) was found to be significantly higher in the group of urinary Ni > 115.73 µg/mol creatinine comparing to the group of urinary Ni < 37.28 µg/mol creatinine (P < 0.05). No changes of immunological parameters in surm [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-1β, and IL-6] were found in other groups of urinary Ni or Cr. Both one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression analysis did not find any association between serum changes of immunological parameters and the parameters of alloy restoration (period, number and the level of metal crown uncovered with porcelain).

CONCLUSIONSThis study did not show positive associations between dental restoration of Ni-Cr alloy and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Chromium ; urine ; Chromium Alloys ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dental Restoration, Permanent ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nickel ; urine ; Random Allocation ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of combined occupational exposure of chromium and iron on erythrocyte metabolism, and the possible mechanism.

METHODSA total of 115 chromate production workers were selected in a chemical factory of Jinan as exposure group, Dec, 2008, and 60 healthy residents from a community which was far away from the factory were enrolled as control group. Environmental concentrations of chromium and iron were collected by filter membrane sampling and determined. The peripheral blood of subjects were collected for determination of chromium, iron, copper in whole blood and folate, vitamin B₁₂ in serum, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and correlation analysis was conducted.

RESULTSThe median (quartile interval) concentration of air-chromium and air-iron in workplace were 9.0 (10.5) and 11.2 (10.1) µg/m³, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of the control (0.1 (0.1) and 7.2 (2.5) µg/m³) (all P values < 0.01). Blood-chromium and blood-iron of the exposed group were 15.5 (14.1) µg/L and (895.1 ± 90.2) mg/L, which were significantly higher than the counterpart of the control (3.6(2.0) µg/L, (563.7 ± 49.3) mg/L) (all P values < 0.01). Serum folate ((6.9 ± 2.5) µg/L), serum vitamin B₁₂ ((396.4 ± 177.0) µg/L) and blood copper ((777.6 ± 103.5) µg/L) of the exposed group were all significantly lower comparing to the control group ((558.0 ± 330.8), (8.1 ± 3.8), (812.1 ± 94.6) µg/L) (all P values < 0.05). The relationships between blood chromium and serum folate, serum vitamin B₁₂ were statistical significant (r = -0.319 and -0.293, P < 0.01). Both serum vitamin B₁₂ and blood copper correlated with mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (r = -0.223, -0.242, -0.261, -0.292, all P values < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCombined chromium and iron exposure existed in the workplace. Adverse effect of Chromium on human erythrocyte may via folate and vitamin B₁₂ metabolism, while iron may via copper metabolism.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; Chromates ; adverse effects ; Chromium ; adverse effects ; Copper ; blood ; Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; Folic Acid ; blood ; Humans ; Iron ; adverse effects ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Vitamin B 12 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore biological exposure markers, we investigated the chromium content in peripheral erythrocytes from occupational population with broad ranges of soluble chromate exposure, as the candidate biomarker may provide the scientific evidence for health risk assessment in occupational chromate-exposed population.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in chromate exposed workers employed at a chromate factory in a district of Jinan city, Shandong Province. The studied population contained 114 workers from different processes of the chromate plants, which included 74 males and 40 females, with an age range from 25 to 52 years old, averaging at (35.83 +/- 6.14) years old; the length of service was ranging from 1 year to 37 years, an average of (14.20 +/- 6.77) years. In addition, 30 farmers in the countryside one hundred kilometers away from the factory, without exposure to chromate matched with exposed subjects by age, gender and smoking status were identified as a control group, which included 22 men and 8 women, with age ranging from 25 years old to 47 years old, having an average age of (36.13 +/- 6.17) years old. Personal information on age, chromate exposure, medical history, smoking habit and alcohol consumption was obtained at an interview. The air concentration of personal exposure was determined by individual sampling for 8 hours per day as shift work, and chromium was assayed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The chromium content in the erythrocytes from peripheral blood was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The potential plasma reduction capacity was determined by dibenzene anthracoamid dihydrazide spectrophotometry. The content of total vitamin C and reductive ascorbic acid were determined by 2, 4-dinitrobenzene hydrazine. The data were analyzed by SPSS10.0 software for statistical significance.

RESULTS(1) The results showed that the chromium levels in erythrocytes in the exposed group [(15.79 +/- 31.01) microg/L] were significantly higher than those in the control group [(3.21 +/- 2.20) microg/L] (P < 0.01). (2) There existed a dose-response relationship between the personal airborne chromate concentration and the chromium content in erythrocytes. As airborne chromate concentration lowered to 106.00 microg/m(3), the chromium content in erythrocytes increased, depending on the air concentration of chromate. (3) Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between airborne chromate concentration and the chromium content in erythrocytes (P < 0.01). (4) In multiple regression analysis, it was found that the potential plasma reduction capacity and reductive ascorbic acid may be a good indicator for oxidative stress produced by chromate exposure and be used to evaluate the effects on intracellular uptake of chromium (VI).

CONCLUSIONOur findings suggested that the chromium content in erythrocytes should be used as an effective exposed biomarker in the risk assessment for occupational chromate-exposure.

Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Chromates ; analysis ; Chromium ; blood ; Erythrocytes ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the biological effective markers, we investigated DNA strand breaks in peripheral lymphocytes from occupational population with broad ranges of soluble chromate exposure.

METHODSWe conducted a cross-sectional study in the chromate exposed workers employed at a chromate factory in a district of Jinan, Shandong Province. The studied population contained 114 workers from different processes of the chromate plants, in addition, 30 farmers in the countryside about one hundred kilometers away from the factory, without exposure to chromate were matched with the exposed subjects by age, gender and smoking status being identified as a control group. Personal information on age, chromate exposure, medical history (including acute infection and medicine usage), smoking habit and alcohol consumption was obtained by questionnaire. DNA strand breaks in lymphocytes were detected by single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) and the DNA damaged degree was evaluated by the score weighted by comet type. The air concentration of chromate was determined by individual sampling for 8 hours per day as shift work and chromium was assayed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The chromium content in the erythrocytes from peripheral blood was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The data were analyzed by SPSS10.0 software for statistical significance.

RESULTS(1) The results showed that the score for DNA strand breaks in lymphocytes were 54.52 +/- 23.51 in the exposed group, which was significantly higher than those in the control group (24.70 +/- 11.84) (P < 0.01). (2) The degree of DNA strand breaks in lymphocytes was increased in a dose-dependent manner ranging from 0 microg/m(3) to 106.00 microg/m(3). (3) Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between airborne chromate concentration and the degree of DNA strand break in lymphocytes (P < 0.01). (4) By multiple regression analysis, it was found that the airborne concentrations, chromium contents in red blood cells and smoking habits were factors which might affect the degree of DNA breaks.

CONCLUSIONOur findings suggest that DNA strand break in lymphocytes should be an effective biomarker for occupational chromate-exposed population and be applied in biological monitoring and health risk assessment for occupational chromate-exposed population.

Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Causality ; Chromates ; analysis ; Chromium ; blood ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pollution of hexavalent chromium in the electroplating workplace and screen the biomarkers of chromium exposure.

MATERIALField occupational health investigation was conducted in 25 electroplating workplaces. 157 electroplating workers and 93 healthy unexposed controls were recruited. The epidemiological information was collected with face to face interview. Chromium in erythrocytes was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

RESULTSThe median of short-term exposure concentration of chromium in the air at electroplating workplace was 0.06 mg/m(3) (median) and ranging from 0.01 (detect limit) to 0.53 mg/m(3)). The median concentration of Cr (VI) in erythrocytes in electroplating workers was 4.41 (2.50 ∼ 5.29) µg/L, which was significantly higher than that in control subjects [1.54 (0.61 ∼ 2.98) µg/L, P < 0.01]. After stratified by potential confounding factors such as gender, age, smoking status and alcohol consumption, significant differences still existed between electroplating workers and control subjects, except for the subjects of age less than 30 years old (P = 0.11).

CONCLUSIONThere was hexavalent chromium pollution in electroplating workplace. Occupational hazards prevention measures should be taken to control the chromium pollution hazards.

Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Chromium ; blood ; Electroplating ; Environmental Monitoring ; Erythrocytes ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Workplace ; Young Adult

There have been few studies investigating the association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and prenatal exposure to heavy metals. We aimed to evaluate whether prenatal exposure to heavy metals is associated with the development or severity of AD in a birth cohort study. A total of 331 subjects were followed from birth for a median duration of 60.0 months. The presence and severity of AD were evaluated at ages 6 and 12 months, and regularly once a year thereafter. The concentrations of lead, mercury, chromium, and cadmium in umbilical cord blood were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) were isolated and stimulated for analysis of cytokine production using ELISA. Heavy metal levels in cord blood were not associated with the development of AD until 24 months of age. However, a positive correlation was observed between the duration of AD and lead levels in cord blood (p=0.002). AD severity was also positively associated with chromium concentrations in cord blood (p=0.037), while cord blood levels of lead, mercury, and cadmium were not significantly associated with AD severity (p=0.562, p=0.054, and p=0.055, respectively). Interleukin-13 production in CBMCs was positively related with lead and chromium levels in cord blood (p=0.021 and p=0.015, respectively). Prenatal exposure to lead and chromium is associated with the persistence and severity of AD, and the immune reaction toward a Th2 polarization.
Cacao ; Cadmium ; Chromium ; Cohort Studies ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fetal Blood ; Interleukin-13 ; Mass Spectrometry ; Metals, Heavy ; Parturition ; Plasma ; Umbilical Cord

Black Bengal bucks (Capra hircus) were supplemented with 0, 0.2 or 0.4 mg elemental chromium (Cr) as chromium chloride hexahydrate per day for 70 days. Intake of dry matter (p<0.001), crude protein (p<0.001) and neutral detergent fiber (p<0.01) increased due to Cr supplementation. The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (p<0.01), organic matter (p<0.05), crude protein (p<0.001) and acid detergent fiber (p<0.01) improved and the total body weight gain and the live weight gain to feed intake ratio also increased (p<0.001) due to supplemental Cr feeding. The intake and apparent absorption (p<0.001) of Cr was enhanced due to its supplementation. The intake of copper, zinc, manganese and iron was also more (p<0.001) in the Cr supplemented bucks. As supplementation progressed, plasma glucose concentration was elevated particularly in 0.4 mg Cr supplemented bucks and a significant day x dose interaction effect (p<0.001) with this parameter. The activity of plasma alkaline phosphatase increased (p<0.001) and that of glutamate pyruvate transaminase in plasma decreased (p<0.01) in the Cr supplemented bucks. Supplemental Cr had minimal (p>0.05) effect on the plasma half life (k) and clearance rate of glucose (T1/2) during an intravenous glucose tolerance test. Area under the response curve from 0 to 180 minutes after glucose loading was lower (p<0.001) in the control group of bucks. The study revealed that Cr supplementation might promote growth and nutrient utilization in black Bengal bucks. However, little difference between the 0.2 and 0.4 mg Cr supplemented bucks suggested limited benefit of increasing the level of supplementation beyond 0.2 mg per day under the normal management regimes.
Alkaline Phosphatase/blood ; Animal Feed ; Animals ; Blood Glucose/drug effects ; Chromium Compounds/administration&dosage/*pharmacology ; Dietary Supplements ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Goats/*growth&development/metabolism ; Male ; Trace Elements/blood ; Transaminases/blood ; Weight Gain/*drug effects