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.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tumor Registry Annual Report, Oncology Data unit, Department of Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, p. 21 (1998).
S. H. Swierenga, J. P. Gilman, and J. R. McLean, Cancer risk from inorganics, Cancer Metastas. Rev. 6, 113–154 (1987).
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).
I. Magos, Epidemiological and experimental aspects of metal carcinogenesis: physicochemical properties, kinetics and the active species, Environ. Health Perspect. 95, 157–189 (1991).
E. T. Snow, Metal carcinogenesis: mechanistic implications, Pharmacol. Ther. 53, 31–65 (1992).
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).
J. H. Duffus, Epidemiology and the identification of metals as human carcinogens, Sci. Prog. 79, 311–326 (1996).
R. B. Hayes, The carcinogencity of metals in humans, Cancer Causes and Control 8, 371–385 (1997).
E. Rojas, L. A. Herrera, L. A. Poirier, and P. Ostrosky-Wegman, Are metals dietary carcinogens? Mutat. Res. 443, 157–181 (1999).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
WHO, Air Quality Guidelines for Europe, World Health Organization, Copenhagen (1988).
WHO, World Health Organization, Environmental Health Criteria 118: Inorganic Mercury, WHO, Geneva (1991).
I. Al-Saleh and L. Coate, Cadmium exposure in Saudi Arabia and its relationship to smoking, Trace Elements Med. 10, 129–133 (1993).
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).
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).
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).
A. R. Ali, O. C. Smales, and M. Aslam, Sura and Lead poisoning, Br. Med. J. ii, 915–916 (1978).
S. D. R. Green, G. T. Lealman, M. Aslam, and S. S. Davies, Surma and blood lead concentrations, Public Health 93, 371–376 (1979).
T. Aslam and M. Aslam, Surma (eye cosmetic): the gift that can be dangerous, J. Ind. Med. Assoc. 28, 181–185 (1996).
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).
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).
A. M. Al-Khawajah, Alkohl use in Saudi Arabia. Extent of use and possible lead toxicity, Trop. Geogr. Med. 44, 373–377 (1992).
I. Al-Saleh, Lead sources in Saudi Arabia: a review, J. Environ. Pathol. Toxicol. Oncol. 17, 17–35 (1998).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights 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
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:79:3:197