Skip to main content
Log in

Levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury in human brain tumors

  • Published:
Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article reports on the levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury in 21 benign brain tumors and 23 malignant brain tumors. All measurements were performed by atomic absorption spectrometry following digestion by nitric acid. Average concentrations of cadmium, lead, and mercury in brain tumors were 2.02 (ND-72.78), 0.625 (ND-83.13), and 0.118 (ND-1.96) µg/g wet weight, respectively. Our values were higher than data reported by others.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Tumor Registry Annual Report, Oncology Data unit, Department of Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, p. 21 (1998).

  2. S. H. Swierenga, J. P. Gilman, and J. R. McLean, Cancer risk from inorganics, Cancer Metastas. Rev. 6, 113–154 (1987).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. G. F. Nordberg, Current concepts in the assessment of effects of metals in chronic low-level exposures considerations of experimental and epidemiological evidence, Sci. Total Environ. 71, 243–252 (1988).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. I. Magos, Epidemiological and experimental aspects of metal carcinogenesis: physicochemical properties, kinetics and the active species, Environ. Health Perspect. 95, 157–189 (1991).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. E. T. Snow, Metal carcinogenesis: mechanistic implications, Pharmacol. Ther. 53, 31–65 (1992).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. M. P. Waalkes, T. P. Coogan, and R. A. Barter, Toxicological principles of metal carcinogenesis with special emphasis on cadmium, Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 22, 175–201 (1992).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. J. H. Duffus, Epidemiology and the identification of metals as human carcinogens, Sci. Prog. 79, 311–326 (1996).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. R. B. Hayes, The carcinogencity of metals in humans, Cancer Causes and Control 8, 371–385 (1997).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. E. Rojas, L. A. Herrera, L. A. Poirier, and P. Ostrosky-Wegman, Are metals dietary carcinogens? Mutat. Res. 443, 157–181 (1999).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. C. Meplan, G. Verhaegh, M. J. Richard, and P. Hainaut, Metal ions as regulators of the conformation and function of the tumor suppressor protein p53: implications for carcinogenesis, Proc. Nutr. Soc. 58, 565–571 (1999).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. M. C. Martin Msteo, B. Martin, M. Santos Beneit, and J. Rabadan, Catalase activity in erythrocytes from colon and gastric cancer patients. Influence of nickel, lead, mercury and cadmium, Biol. Trace Element Res. 57, 79–90 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  12. M. Panemangalore, Interaction among zinc, copper, and cadmium in rats: effects of low zinc and copper diets and oral cadmium exposure, J. Trace Elements Exp. Med. 6, 125–139 (1993).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. L. Jamba, B. Nehru, and M. P. Bansal, Selenium supplementation during cadmium exposure: changes in antioxidant enzymes and the ultrastructure of the kidney, J. Trace Elements Exp. Med. 10, 233–242 (1997).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. T. Mckenzie, Analytical data for the GTA-96, in Analytical Methods for Graphite Tube Atomizer, E. Rothery, ed. Varian Tectron Pty. Ltd., Milgrave, Victoria, Australia (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  15. M. Schuhmacher, M. A. Bosque, J. L. Domingo, and J. Corbella, Lead and cadmium concentrations in autopsy tissues of inhabitants of Tarragona province, Spain, Trace Elements Med. 10, 115–119 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  16. V. J. Bush, T. P. Moyer, K. P. Batts, and J. E. Partisi, Essential and toxic element concentrations in fresh and formalin-fixed human autopsy tissues, Clin. Chem. 41, 284–294 (1995).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. M. Schuhmacher, J. Batista, J. L. Domingo, and J. Corbella, Mercury concentrations in autopsy tissues from inhabitants of Tarragona Province, Spain, Trace Elements Electrolytes 13, 75–79 (1996).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. M. Nylander, L. Friberg, and B. Lind, Mercury concentrations in human brain and kidneys in relation to exposure from dental amalgam fillings, Swed. Dent. J. 11, 179–187 (1987).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. K. Motte, L. Friberg, M. Vahter, R. Body, B. Lind, D. Shen, and T. Burbacher, Effects of perfusion, fixation and freezing on the concentration and chemical form of mercury in the brain of rats exposed to methylmercury, J. Trace Elements Exp. Med. 3, 23–30 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  20. WHO, Air Quality Guidelines for Europe, World Health Organization, Copenhagen (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  21. WHO, World Health Organization, Environmental Health Criteria 118: Inorganic Mercury, WHO, Geneva (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  22. I. Al-Saleh and L. Coate, Cadmium exposure in Saudi Arabia and its relationship to smoking, Trace Elements Med. 10, 129–133 (1993).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. I. Al-Saleh, N. Shinwari, P. Basile, S. Al-Dgaither, and M. Al-Mutairi, Exposure to cadmium among sheesha smokers and how do they compare to cigarette smokers, J. Trace Elements Exp. Med., 1, 141–146 (2000).

    Google Scholar 

  24. I. Al-Saleh and N. Shinwari, Urinary mercury levels in females: influence of skin lightening creams, and dental amalgam fillings, Biometals 10, 315–323 (1997).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Center for Disease Control (CDC), Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children: A Statement by the Center for Disease Control, US Department of Health and Human Service/Public Health Service/Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  26. A. R. Ali, O. C. Smales, and M. Aslam, Sura and Lead poisoning, Br. Med. J. ii, 915–916 (1978).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. S. D. R. Green, G. T. Lealman, M. Aslam, and S. S. Davies, Surma and blood lead concentrations, Public Health 93, 371–376 (1979).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. T. Aslam and M. Aslam, Surma (eye cosmetic): the gift that can be dangerous, J. Ind. Med. Assoc. 28, 181–185 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  29. N. P. Fernando, M. A. Healy, M. Aslam, S. S. Davis, and A. Hussein, Lead poisoning and traditional practices: the consequences for world health. A study in Kuwait, Public Health 95, 250–260 (1981).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. A. Al-Kaff, A. Al-Rajhi, K. Tabbara, and A. El-Yazigi, Kohl—the traditional eyeliner: use and analysis, Ann. Saudi Med. 13, 26–30 (1993).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. A. M. Al-Khawajah, Alkohl use in Saudi Arabia. Extent of use and possible lead toxicity, Trop. Geogr. Med. 44, 373–377 (1992).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. I. Al-Saleh, Lead sources in Saudi Arabia: a review, J. Environ. Pathol. Toxicol. Oncol. 17, 17–35 (1998).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Al-Saleh, I., Shinwari, N. Levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury in human brain tumors. Biol Trace Elem Res 79, 197–203 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:79:3:197

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:79:3:197

Index Entries

Navigation