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Biomedical subjects

H Robberecht

Publications and source records attributed to H Robberecht.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Atomic absorption spectrometric determination of zinc, copper, and selenium in fish from Lake Tanganyika, Burundi, Africa.

Atomic absorption spectrometric determination of zinc, copper and selenium in fish from Lake Tanganyika (Burundi) shows that, although this lake is not polluted, trace element intake by fish contributes an important part of the elemental intake by man. No correlations were found between trace element levels in the fish and fish lipid and protein content. Copper and zinc were positively and highly correlated (P less than 0.005). Interspecies comparison for trace element content of fish samples is discussed. Unless the level of water pollution is taken into account, intraspecies variation cannot be evaluated.

Animals

Determination of selenium in blood components by X-ray emission spectrometry. Procedures, concentration levels, and health implications.

Sampling, storing, sample pretreatment, and experimental conditions for selenium (Se) determination in human serum, plasma, and whole blood by X-ray emission spectrometric (XRS) methods are described. Concentration levels in these biological fluids, found by this technique, are discussed and compared to values found by other techniques for the same healthy population group in the same area. XRS analysis of blood from patients with various pathological conditions is reviewed, with special attention to the relation of Se with the concentration level of other essential or nonessential trace elements.

Adult

Direct selenium determination in human whole blood by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with deuterium correction using a L'vov-platform, a Pd/Mg matrix modification and appropriate dilution.

A mixture of palladium/magnesium nitrate was used as matrix modifier in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for the direct determination of selenium in human whole blood Addition of HCl up to 0.2 M, a twenty-five fold diluted sample and an appropriate furnace program are necessary to eliminate the interference of iron. Reproducibility of less than 3% at the 95 micrograms/L level, a detection limit of 10 micrograms/L and good accuracy, as determined by intercomparison runs and recovery of spiked samples, are obtained. The proposed method can be used for analysing 4 blood samples per hour.

Deuterium

Selenium concentration levels in whole blood of Belgian blood bank donors, as determined by direct graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

Direct graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after appropriate sample dilution is applied to whole blood of Belgian blood bank donors from different geographical areas. Highest values were obtained for the northern part of the country (Flanders). Different consumption habits may explain the significant difference in selenium level found for the two cultural communities (Flemish and Walloon). No sex difference was obtained in both parts of the country and no influence of age was observed for the two communities. Values obtained are compared with literature data on whole blood selenium content for other European countries.

Adult

Daily chromium intake by infants in Belgium.

The chromium content of human breast milk, infant formulae, cow's milk and beikost was measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry following different digestion steps. No significant variation in chromium concentration during lactation was found. The mean concentration was 0.18 ng/ml. The daily chromium intake for Belgian infants of 3 months of age using different types of food was estimated. Exclusively breast fed infants consumed 0.1 microgram/day, while for infants fed cow's milk the intake was five times higher. The exclusive use of commercial infant formulas resulted in an intake of 2 up to 10 micrograms chromium a day.

Adult

Trace elements in human milk, selenium a case study.

Longitudinal changes of the trace element (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Mo, Cr, Co, As, Se) composition of human milk are discussed. The mean daily intake of breast fed infants is compared with the intake of infants fed cow's milk and with recommended dietary allowances. Parameters which can be used to check the selenium status are discussed. Clinical consequences of selenium deficiency are discussed.

Arsenic

Daily intake of selenium by bottle-fed infants in Belgium.

The selenium content of commercial infant formulae, processed milk and beikost was measured by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry after previous wet acid digestion. The median daily intake by infants (1-6 months) fed milk, soya or cereal-based infant formulae was 3.0-7.8 micrograms/day; lower than the mean daily intake by Belgian breast-fed infants (6.1-8.6 micrograms/day) and cow's milk bottle-fed infants (7.6-10.8 micrograms/day).

Animals

Increased erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in psoriatics consuming high-selenium drinking water at the Dead-Sea Psoriasis Treatment Center.

Erythrocyte selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity was measured in psoriatic Danes, before and after their four-week balneological therapy at the Ein-Bokek International Psoriasis Treatment Center, on the Dead-Sea shore in Israel. The drinking water in Ein-Bokek was found to be rich in selenium, a trace element with anticarcinogenic properties and of great importance in human nutrition and health. The most reliable biological parameter for increase in selenium bioavailability is the erythrocytes' glutathione-peroxidase activity. As psoriasis is a proliferative skin disease, the activity of this enzyme was assayed in 35 psoriatic Danes and in 25 long-term local hotel workers, as well as in 34 volunteers drinking low-selenium water. The glutathione peroxidase activity in the psoriatic patients increased significantly during their four-week stay in Ein-Bokek. Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in the hotel workers was 50% higher than that in the healthy volunteers consuming low-selenium water. A possible role of selenium in psoriasis is suggested.

Adult

Skin penetration of minerals in psoriatics and guinea-pigs bathing in hypertonic salt solutions.

Penetration of electrolytes through the human skin was measured in healthy volunteers and in psoriatic patients after bathing in the Dead-Sea or in simulated bath-salt solutions. Significant increases in the levels of serum Br, Rb, Ca and Zn were noticed only in the psoriatic patients after daily bathing in the Dead-Sea for a 4-week regimen. Guinea-pigs "bathed" in simulated Dead-Sea bath-salt solutions containing radionuclides of Ca, Mg, K and Br. Traces of each radionuclide were detected in the blood and in some internal organs after 60 minutes of bathing. The radionuclides showed a physiological pattern in their organ distribution. Even though the whole investigation was carried out in hypertonic solutions, there is a definite penetration of salts through healthy (human and guinea-pigs) and damaged (psoriatic) epidermis. This finding suggests that improvement of the psoriatic condition after bathing in the Dead-Sea, may be partly attributed (in addition to ultraviolet irradiation) to the minerals' effect on the psoriatic skin.

Adolescent

Longitudinal study of the selenium content in human breast milk in Belgium.

The selenium content of expressed human milk obtained at different stages of lactation from 32 lactating mothers was measured by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry after previous wet acid digestion. The highest selenium level was found in colostrum (14.8 ng/g; wet weight), subsequently the content declined and plateaued off after one month (9.4 ng/g; wet weight). The daily selenium intake for Belgian infants of 3 months of age was found to be 7.1 micrograms (girls) and 8.1 micrograms (boys), which is lower than the values obtained in most other countries and lower than the recommended safe and adequate daily intake of 10 to 40 micrograms/day for the same age group.

Adolescent