Biological Trace Element Research最新文献

{"title":"From Tradition to Innovation: Pinellia ternata Extracts Stabilized Selenium Nanoparticles for Enhanced Bioactivity.","authors":"Quanxiu Wang, Zijin Chen, Xinya Xu, Kaixin Dai, Xiujie Li, Hui Lu, Shujun Wei, Zhenyu Lian, Leilei Guo","doi":"10.1007/s12011-025-04569-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-025-04569-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are widely used for their effective antioxidative, anti-tumor, and antibacterial properties with minimal toxicity. Developing eco-friendly and simple synthesis methods for SeNPs with improved bioactivity, biocompatibility, and stability is crucial. This study synthesized bioactive SeNPs using extracts from the traditional Chinese medicine Pinellia ternata as a stabilizing agent. SeNPs were characterized to have an amorphous structure, spherical shape, uniform dispersion, and an average diameter of 54.6 nm. They had a surface charge of - 28.2 mV, enhancing stability through interactions with compounds in Pinellia ternata extracts. The synthesized SeNPs demonstrated strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties in vitro, outperforming Na₂SeO₃ and Pinellia ternata extracts. Specifically, SeNPs showed bacteriostatic activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) at 120, 240, and 480 µg/mL, with a lasting effect at 480 µg/mL after 23 h. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was more sensitive, with significant antimicrobial and bactericidal effects at 15, 30, and 60 µg/mL, achieving complete inhibition at 60 µg/mL after 20 h. In zebrafish exposure experiments, SeNPs at low (0.2 mg/L) and medium (0.5 mg/L) concentrations enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities in the liver without inducing significant acute toxicity, whereas high concentrations (1 mg/L) resulted in oxidative damage to the liver and gills. This study introduces a novel method for synthesizing a stable SeNP-herbal medicine extracts composite with outstanding biological activity and biosafety, potentially expanding the applications of herbal medicine beyond traditional antioxidant and antimicrobial treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143565937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of Trace Elements of Wild and Cultured Asian Sea Bass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790) in Bangladesh and Their Inferences on Human Health.","authors":"Kaosher Ali, Sudipta Kumar Nag, Kanij Rukshana Sumi","doi":"10.1007/s12011-025-04565-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-025-04565-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fish living in natural and aquaculture environments may be easily contaminated by toxic trace elements owing to diverse anthropogenic activities relating to different geographical areas. This study measured the concentration of trace elements (Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, As, and Hg) in the gills, liver, and muscles of wild and cultured Asian sea bass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790) collected from Patuakhali and Khulna regions in Bangladesh, respectively. Samples were collected in the summer and analyzed by using the atomic absorption spectrometer. The mean concentration of trace elements (mg kg^-1) was as follows: Fe (6.908) > Zn (1.467) > Cu (0.397) > Mn (0.338) > Cr (0.151) > Cd (0.003) and Fe (6.291) > Zn (1.243) > Pb (0.494) > Cu (0.205) > Cr (0.117) > Cd (0.005) in wild and cultured Asian sea bass, respectively. Moreover, As and Hg concentrations were below the detection limit. The mean concentration of Cr and Cu was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in wild Asian sea bass than in cultured Asian sea bass, respectively. The concentrations of trace elements in wild and cultured Asian sea bass did not exceed the maximum permissible limits, except Cr and Pb. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values for all the concerned trace elements except Pb (0.478 mg/day) were lower than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) values. The human health risk assessed by Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Carcinogenic Risk (CR) ensured that eating Asian sea bass would not create any possible threat to people inhabiting the Patuakhali and Khulna regions. Therefore, the Asian sea bass from these two commercial regions may be safe for human health. Further study is advisable to determine trace element concentrations in Asian sea bass by applying artificial diets in culture systems and concentrations of trace elements in sediments and water from both environments before making any recommendations.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143565928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Seasonality on the Contamination of Mussels (Perna perna) and Swimming Crabs (Achelous spinimanus) by Essential and Toxic Metals and the Health Risks of the Consumer Population on the Southeast Coast of Brazil.","authors":"Alexandre Mendes Ramos-Filho, Paloma de Almeida Rodrigues, Adriano Teixeira de Oliveira, Júlia Vianna da Anunciação de Pinho, Bernardo Ferreira Braz, Ricardo Erthal Santelli, Carlos Adam Conte-Junior","doi":"10.1007/s12011-025-04558-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-025-04558-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The marine environment is severely contaminated by anthropogenic activities. Among the pollutants are metals such as mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), and zinc (Zn), elements commonly found in industrial effluents from steel mills. This study aims to quantify the concentrations of Hg, Cr, and Zn in seafood samples (crab and mussels) and conduct a consumption risk analysis, considering the seasonality and sexual dimorphism of the animals. The samples were collected from traditional fisheries in Itaipu, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Muscle samples were removed from the animals, which served as the basis for determining Hg, Cr, and Zn levels. Consumption risk assessment was also conducted following the Estimated Monthly Intake and Hazard Quotient (HQ). The quantification results were below the limits set by international regulatory agencies. However, the risk analysis for the population revealed some HQ values above one, particularly for crab consumption.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143565932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deterministic and Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Elemental Composition in Pistachios and Hazelnuts from Iran.","authors":"Zahra Hadian, Nabi Shariatifar, Majid Arabameri, Mojtaba Moazzen, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah","doi":"10.1007/s12011-025-04564-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-025-04564-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the present study, concentrations of 28 elements (Ca, Cu, Li, Co, Sn, Fe, S, Pt, Au, Bi, B, Sr, W, Si, P, Mg, K, Mn, Na, Ni, Se, Zn, Al, Ba, Cd, Pb and As) in pistachios and hazelnuts collected from local markets in Tehran, Iran, were assessed using ICP-OES. The elemental risk assessments were carried out by estimating recommended dietary allowance, chronic daily intake, target hazard quotient, and incremental lifetime cancer risk. Results revealed that the highest and the lowest concentrations of elements in all samples included K (4700 ± 3473 μg Kg^-1) and Li (0.173 ± 0.40 μg Kg^-1), respectively. In addition, results showed that Cd, As, Pb, Co, Bi, Au, Pt, and Sn were not detected in the samples. In all the nuts samples, quantities of the elements (μg Kg^-1) were less than the standard levels (Pb = 20, Cd = 10, As = 140, Al = 500, Fe = 2700 and Mn = 100). The principal component analysis results highlighted the distinguishing characteristics of the nuts. Cluster analysis helped distinguish four subgroups based on their ability to accumulate elements. Therefore, chemometric analysis could be a practical method for classifying nut samples based on their elements. Based on the results of health risk indicators, no risks of exposure to heavy metals from the consumption of Iranian pistachio and hazelnut samples are reported.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143540023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Maternal Exposure to Trace Metal Mixtures on Bone Mineral Density in Children Aged 3-6: Results from the Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort, China.","authors":"Junwang Gu, Huishen Huang, Jun Liang, Qian Liao, Peng Tang, Ying Tang, Jinghua Long, Jiehua Chen, Dongping Huang, Dongxiang Pan, Xiaoyun Zeng, Xiaoqiang Qiu","doi":"10.1007/s12011-025-04561-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-025-04561-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Prospective studies examining early maternal exposure to trace metal (TM) mixtures and their effects on offspring remain limited. We analyzed data regarding maternal plasma trace metal concentrations and bone mineral density (BMD) for 220 children aged 3-6 years from the Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was used to measure 22 trace metal concentrations-Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, W, Tl, Pb, and U-in maternal plasma samples collected before 13 weeks of gestation. BMD Z-scores in children were assessed using quantitative ultrasound. Generalized linear models, restricted cubic spline (RCS) models, principal component analysis, Bayesian kernel machine regression, and quantile-based g-computation (qgcomp) were used to evaluate the associations between maternal plasma metal levels and BMD Z-scores in the child. Higher maternal Fe concentration was correlated with lower child BMD Z-scores (β [95% confidence interval]: - 1.374 [- 2.426 to - 0.323], p = 0.011). Increased Pb exposure was correlated with higher Z-scores (β [95% CI]: 1.035 [0.150-1.920], p = 0.023), corroborated by the RCS model (p = 0.031). Ti levels exceeding the median were associated with increased BMD Z-scores (p = 0.027). Increased BMD in children was associated with higher levels of metal mixtures, including Mn, V, Ti, U, Ni, Zn, Sr, Pb, W, and Co. Pb appears to play a primary role in this effect. TM exposure during early pregnancy is associated with BMD in children; however, additional longitudinal and experimental studies are required to confirm this conclusion.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143536353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of Long-Term Dietary Cobalt Supplementation on Lactation Performance and Reproductive Efficiency in Maghrabi She-Camels.","authors":"Mohamed S Ayyat, Usama M Abdel Monem, Tarek H Mostafa, Rafiq M Thabet, Khaled M Abd El-Latif, Adham A Al-Sagheer","doi":"10.1007/s12011-025-04551-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-025-04551-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examined the effects of cobalt supplementation, given from three months prepartum to nine months postpartum, on lactation performance, reproductive efficiency, blood biochemistry, colostrum immunoglobulin levels, and hormonal profiles in she-camels, along with the growth of their calves. Twenty Maghrabi she-camels, weighing 489 ± 2.31 kg and aged 6-9 years, were used in this study. The camels were divided into four groups: one control group fed only the basal diet, and three treatment groups receiving 0.16, 0.32, and 0.48 mg of cobalt per kg of feed as cobalt glucoheptonate. Results indicated that cobalt supplementation significantly increased colostrum immunoglobulin concentrations (IgG, IgM, and IgA), as well as monthly milk yield and lactation period. Milk contents of total solids, protein, and lactose also improved in the supplemented groups, particularly at 0.32 mg/kg cobalt. Additionally, pre- and post-partum serum cobalt, vitamin B₁₂, T3, T4, progesterone, and estradiol levels were higher in the cobalt-treated groups. Enhanced reproductive outcomes included shorter postpartum intervals to first estrus, reduced services per conception, and improved weaning weights and average daily gains of calves in all cobalt-supplemented groups. In conclusion, dietary cobalt supplementation at a level of 0.32 mg/kg from three months prepartum to nine months postpartum significantly enhanced the lactation and reproductive performance of Maghrabi she-camels, increased colostrum immunoglobulin levels, and positively affected the growth performance of their calves.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143536355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adequate Levels of Zinc and Copper on Turkey Poult Performance, Immunological Response, and Skeletal Health.","authors":"Jayanti L Agashe, Chandra Deo, Avishek Biswas, Divya Sharma, Mukesh T Nampalle, Ashok Kumar Tiwari","doi":"10.1007/s12011-024-04257-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12011-024-04257-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this study, the impact of varying dietary zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels on the growth, immunological response, and skeletal health of developing turkey poults was investigated. For 0-4 and 5-8 weeks of age, respectively, three Zn levels of 50, 70, and 90 mg/kg and 45, 65, and 85 mg/kg were employed. Three Cu levels, namely 8, 12, and 16 mg/kg for 0-8 weeks of age, were also utilized. There were 288 (9 × 4 × 8) day-old turkey poults with equal body weight that were randomly assigned to 9 treatments, each consisting of 4 replicates and 8 poults per replicate. In comparison to other dietary combinations, there was a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in body weight gain observed in the 90 and 85 mg Zn/kg with 16 mg Cu/kg diet during 0-4 and 0-8 weeks of age, respectively, and the 70 and 65 mg Zn with 16 mg Cu /kg diet during 0-4 and 0-8 weeks of age, respectively. When compared to low levels of zinc in the diet at 5-8 and 0-8 weeks of age, respectively, feed conversion ratio was shown to be significantly (P ≤ 0.01) better with 90 and 85 mg Zn/kg diet. In a similar pattern, feed utilization efficiency was considerably (P ≤ 0.01) higher at 16 mg Cu/kg diet than it was at lower Cu levels in the diets given to the animals over the 0-4 week period. Compared to other dietary combinations, there was a substantial (P ≤ 0.01) improvement in cell-mediated immune response (foot web index to PHAP) and humoral immune response (HA titer to SRBC) when 85 mg zinc and 16 mg copper/kg diet was consumed at 0-4 and 5-8 weeks of age. At greater dietary Zn and Cu levels than its lower values, the weight of the spleen and thymus was considerably (P ≤ 0.05) higher. In a dietary combination of 90 mg Zn with 16 mg Cu/kg during 0-4 and 85 mg Zn with 16 mg Cu/kg diet during 5-8 weeks of age, respectively, there were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater bone width (proximal and distal), tibia bone ash, calcium, and phosphorus detected respectively. Significantly (P ≤ 0.01) greater Zn and Fe contents were found in the tibia bone at 90 and 85 mg Zn/kg diet, respectively, compared to values obtained at other Zn levels in the diet throughout 0-4 and 5-8 weeks of age. During the first 8 weeks of life, a diet containing 12 mg of copper per kilogram was shown to have a significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased Zn and Fe content in the tibia bone compared to other levels. It is possible to draw the conclusion from the data that, for growing turkey poults, dietary combinations of 90 mg Zn/kg with 16 mg Cu/kg diet and 85 mg Zn with 16 mg Cu/kg diet between 0 and 4 and 5-8 weeks of age, respectively, were sufficient for optimum development, immunity, and skeletal health indices.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":"1609-1617"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141309865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Nanotechnology in Cancer Immunotherapy: Benefits, Limitations, and Future Perspectives.","authors":"Ashish Pandey, Ines Karmous","doi":"10.1007/s12011-024-04266-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12011-024-04266-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Reconceptualizing cancer immunotherapy can be improved if combined with plant production systems and nanotechnology. This review aims to contribute to the knowledge of plant use in nanomedicine and cancer immunotherapy. In the foreground, we outlined each of these approaches; nanomedicine, green synthesis, and immunotherapy. The benefits of plant-based nanoparticles in mending the immune systems were subsequently analyzed, with reference to the literature. The combining effects of biological and therapeutic properties of some phytochemicals and their derivatives, with targeted nanoparticles and selective immunotherapy, can enhance the delivery of drugs and antibodies, and induce antitumor immune responses, via activation of functions of neutrophils, lymphocyte cells, and natural killer cells, and macrophages, resulting in induced apoptosis and phagocytosis of tumor cells, which can improve designing immunotherapeutic strategies targeting cancer, with a larger spectrum compared to the current cytotoxic anticancer drugs commonly used in clinics. This study uncovers the mechanistic drivers of cancer immunoengineering in cancer therapy using plant-based nanomaterials, enhancing therapeutic benefits while minimizing toxic and side effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":"1746-1763"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141305333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Estimation of Hair Toxic and Essential Trace Element and Mineral Profiles of Patients with Chronic Gout.","authors":"Anatoly V Skalny, Tatiana V Korobeinikova, Tatiana I Sotnikova, Serafima Ia Tazina, Galina D Morozova, Xiong Guo, Feng Zhang, Sergey V Nekhoroshev, Yujie Ning, Alexey A Tinkov","doi":"10.1007/s12011-024-04273-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12011-024-04273-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of the present study was to evaluate hair levels of toxic and essential trace elements and minerals in male and female patients with chronic gout. A total of 223 examinees aged from 27 to 82 years old including 116 healthy controls (64 women and 52 men) and 107 patients with gout (56 women and 51 men) were enrolled in the current cross-sectional study. Analysis of hair toxic and essential trace element and mineral content was performed using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. The obtained data demonstrate that hair B, Fe, I, and Mo levels in gout patients were 67%, 8%, 46%, and 21% higher in comparison to the respective control values. Hair Cr and V content in patients was more than twofold higher than in the controls. Hair Mg and Zn levels were found to be 34% and 11% lower when compared to the respective control values. Hair toxic metal and metalloid content was also significantly affected in gout patients. Specifically, hair Al, As, and Pb levels were 24%, 43%, and 33% higher in gout patients than in healthy controls, respectively. Analysis of covariance demonstrated that sex also had a significant influence on hair trace element and mineral levels in gout patients. Specifically, gout-associated overaccumulation of hair trace elements including was more profound in male than in female patients. It is assumed that trace element dysregulation may contribute to gout development and progression, especially in men. However, further studies are required to elucidate this association and the underlying molecular mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":"1351-1361"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141440166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mercury Levels in Selected Medicines and Dietary Supplements in Poland.","authors":"Barbara Brodziak-Dopierała, Agnieszka Fischer, Bożena Ahnert","doi":"10.1007/s12011-024-04269-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12011-024-04269-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Current trends are promoting youth, beauty, health, and fitness. Individuals often seek out remedies, such as medicines or dietary supplements (DS), to achieve these goals. However, highly processed foods, chronic stress, and environmental pollution contribute to the development of civilization diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mercury (Hg) content in medicines and DS that are available in Poland. A total of 139 preparations were tested (75 drugs, 64 DS). The medicines contained preparations belonging to antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal; analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory; heart and blood vessel disease preventatives; respiratory tract infections treatment; diuretics; aiding digestion; supplements; antidiarrhoeals; anti-allergics; anti-rheumatics; antibiotics; and others. The tested dietary supplements had an effect on the following: improve the condition of skin, hair, and nails; vitamins; minerals; probiotics; weight loss; special for women; and others. The Hg content of the samples was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The Hg content of all the preparations varied widely (0.1-57.4 µg/kg), with a median Hg concentration of 1.2 µg/kg. The median Hg concentration for medicines was 0.8 µg/kg, prescription medicines having higher Hg concentrations (0.9 µg/kg) than over-the-counter (OTC) drugs (0.5 µg/kg). For DS, the Hg content was found to be higher than for drugs, at 2.0 µg/kg. The herbal preparations showed the highest Hg content among the individual DS groups (3.4 µg/kg). The Hg concentrations in the tested drug and DS samples did not exceed acceptable standards. However, if multiple pharmaceutical preparations are taken simultaneously over a long period of time, and there is existing environmental exposure, there is a possibility of Hg concentration accumulation and adverse health effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":"1685-1700"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11872768/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141455039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}