M T Van der Venne | Search PubMed

PubMed1995

Review of trace elements in blood, serum and urine for the Czech and Slovak populations and critical evaluation of their possible use as reference values.

The availability of accurate trace element reference values in human tissues represents an important indicator to the health status of the general population and occupational groups exposed to trace elements. The EURO TERVIHT project (Trace Element Reference Values in Human Tissues) aims to establish and compare trace element reference values in tissues from inhabitants of the European countries as baseline values for clinical/toxicological assessment studies. In this context, one of the first steps considered is the critical evaluation (state of the art) of existing literature on trace element reference values in blood, serum and urine in the general population of each European country. This paper reviews the Czech and Slovak situation by assessing studies carried out in these countries for Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Mn, Hg, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sc, Se, V and Zn in blood, serum and urine. These studies show that most of the data available do not meet criteria designed recently for deriving reference intervals, especially regarding the number of subjects, the age of population sample studies as well as the use of appropriate sampling techniques and quality assurance procedures. Elements which present the highest potential risk for health in Czech and Slovak populations and for which reference values should be urgently established are: Cd, Hg, Pb (major pollutants); As, Cr, Ni (carcinogenic metals); Al, F, Mn, Tl, V (released into the environment by coal combustion and other industrial activities); Pt (increasing use of Pt catalyst in petrol-driven automobiles); essential trace elements such as I, Se and Zn for which a deficiency in Czech and Slovak populations was detected or is suspected.

Czechoslovakia↗

PubMed1994

Element reference values in tissues from inhabitants of the European Community. VI. Review of elements in blood, plasma and urine and a critical evaluation of reference values for the United Kingdom population.

Reference values for the concentration of elements in whole blood for the UK population are presented together with estimates for concentrations in plasma and urine. The blood data, when compared with other values obtained for Belgium, Denmark and Italy, obtained through the EURO-Terviht programme of the European Union, together with data from other countries, indicate similar concentrations. The data provide a basis for identifying the expected levels for the non-occupational exposed population against which differences attributable to various states of well-being, morbidity and mortality can be evaluated. However, it is also apparent that significant differences do exist which are related to geography and diet. In order to consider these differences, further improvements in the determination of elements in human tissues and fluids are required. Particular attention should be paid to that proportion of an element in the environment which is bioavailable together with its toxicity.

Autopsy↗

PubMed1994

Trace element reference values in tissues from inhabitants of the European Community. VII. Review of trace elements in blood, serum and urine of the Belgian population and critical evaluation of their possible use as reference values.

The availability of accurate trace element reference values in human tissues represents an important indicator to the health status of the general population and occupational groups exposed to trace elements. The EURO TERVIHT project (Trace Element Reference Values In Human Tissues) aims to establish and compare trace element reference values in tissues from inhabitants of the European Community as baseline values for clinical/toxicological assessment studies (Sabbioni et al., 1992a,b). In this context one of the first steps considered is the critical evaluation (state of the art) of existing literature on trace element reference values in blood, serum and urine in the general population of each EC country. This paper reviews the Belgian situation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Trace element reference values in tissues from inhabitants of the European Community. V. Review of trace elements in blood, serum and urine and critical evaluation of reference values for the Danish population.

The availability of accurate trace element reference values in human tissues represents an important indicator to the health status of the general population and occupational groups exposed to trace elements. The EURO TERVIHT project (Trace Element Reference Values In Human Tissues) aims to establish and compare trace element reference values in tissues from inhabitants of the European Community as baseline values for clinical/toxicological assessment studies (Sabbioni et al., 1992, Sci. Total Environ., 120: 39-62). In this context, one of the first steps considered is the critical evaluation (state of the art) of existing literature on trace element reference values in blood, serum and urine in the general population of each EC country. This paper reviews the Danish situation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Neuroendocrine response to psychological performance testing.

Neuroendocrine changes associated with performance testing requiring sustained attention were assessed in eight normal male subjects. To verify whether the hormonal pattern was modified by chronic stimulation of opiate receptors, eight heroin addicts also were studied. Reaction times were similar in normal and addict subjects. In normal individuals, consistent and significant increases in plasma ACTH and beta-endorphin and in urinary epinephrine and norepinephrine were observed, whereas serum prolactin (PRL) progressively decreased over the testing period. Despite maintained performance capabilities, heroin addicts showed a blunted response of ACTH and a paradoxical decrease in endorphin levels. As the normal subjects, both epinephrine and norepinephrine in urine showed the same significant increase over baseline values. Serum PRL showed a similar trend towards decreased values over the testing period in both groups.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1992

Long-lasting impairment of neuroendocrine response to psychological stress in heroin addicts.

Performance in a vigilance task and the associated neuroendocrine changes during the performance in the task were examined in healthy subjects and in three groups of male heroin-addicts both before undergoing rehabilitation programmes and at various intervals from withdrawal (5 days, 1 to 2 mon, and 3 to 48 mon, respectively). Plasma levels of ACTH, beta-endorphin (EP) and prolactin (PRL) were measured every 10 min before and during performance. In drug addicts, simple reaction times never showed any significant difference as compared to control values. Despite similar baseline levels, ACTH exhibited a markedly depressed response to psychological testing in drug-addicts as compared to controls. Whereas a three-fold increase in ACTH was observed in 'normal' subjects during the performance (from 17 to 54 ng/l), mean values from drug-addicts remained unchanged. EP levels showed a wide scatter of individual values and inconsistent time courses over performance testing: after short-term abstinence, EP showed a three-fold increase over baseline control values but, contrary to what seen in 'normal' subjects, no changes over time were recorded. After long-term abstinence, basal EP was close to control values, but its increase during the testing period was still blunted. PRL levels decreased over the testing period both in controls and in heroin addicts. Thus, despite the lack of obvious signs of neurotoxicity, drug abusers show neuroendocrine changes consistent with a long-lasting selective impairment of the hypothalamic modulation of pituitary secretion.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗