Biological Trace Element Research最新文献

{"title":"Barley Grass Hordeumvulgare Protected Hormones and Testicular Oxidative Stress Markers of Lead Acetate-Induced Toxicity of Wistar rat.","authors":"Zohra Hamamdia, Ouarda Mansouri, Farida Loudjani, Soumaya Boubsil, Cherif Abdennour","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05334-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05334-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lead (Pb) exposure can cause reproductive toxicity, partly through oxidative imbalance and impaired testicular function. This study investigated the potential of barley grass (Hordeum vulgare L.) to attenuate the adverse effects of lead acetate on reproductive and testicular function in Wistar rats. Sixty adult male rats were allocated to six experimental groups (n = 10 per group): control, BG1 (25 g/kg feed), BG2 (50 g/kg feed), Pb (600 mg lead acetate/kg feed), Pb-BG1 (25 g BG/kg feed + 600 mg lead acetate/kg feed), and Pb-BG2 (50 g BG/kg feed + 600 mg lead acetate/kg feed). The treatments were administered for six weeks. Sperm characteristics, reproductive hormone concentrations, testicular oxidative stress biomarkers, testicular and epididymal weights, and histopathological changes in the testes and epididymides were evaluated. Lead exposure significantly reduced (p < 0.05) testicular and epididymal weights, serum testosterone, FSH and LH concentrations, sperm concentration, motility, velocity, round-cell count, and progressive and non-progressive spermatozoa. It also significantly decreased testicular GSH concentration and GPx activity and increased MDA concentration. Histopathological examination revealed narrowing of the seminiferous tubules and widening of the interstitial spaces in the testes, together with a marked reduction or absence of spermatozoa within the epididymal tubules. Co-treatment with barley grass significantly attenuated several of these Pb-induced alterations, with improvements observed in reproductive hormone levels, sperm characteristics, testicular oxidative stress biomarkers, and testicular and epididymal histological features. BG2 (50 g/kg feed) generally showed a greater magnitude of improvement than BG1 (25 g/kg feed) across several evaluated parameters, and significantly higher total, progressive, and non-progressive sperm motility were observed in the Pb-BG2 group than in the Pb-BG1 group. However, this pattern was not statistically significant across all measured parameters and therefore does not establish a definitive dose-response relationship. Overall, the findings support a protective effect of barley grass against Pb-induced reproductive and testicular toxicity under the conditions of the present study, which was associated with improved testicular antioxidant status and preservation of reproductive tissue morphology.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148966376","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":"Effects of Organic Zinc Supplementation on Gut Microbiota and Health-Related Biomarkers in Healthy Adult Dogs.","authors":"Thaís Bet, Maiara Petri Vilvert, Bruno Giorgio de Oliveira Cecere, Amanda Carolina Baptista Mangoni, Larissa Cunico, Larissa Elen Hirt Bourckhardt, Vinicius Gottardo Boff, Miklos Maximiliano Bajay, Aleksandro Schafer da Silva","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05335-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05335-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zinc is an essential trace element involved in multiple biological processes; however, despite its well-established biological functions, studies investigating the effects of organic zinc supplementation in dogs are scarce. This study evaluated the effects of organic zinc supplementation on immunological, antioxidant, metabolic parameters, and the gut microbiota of adult dogs. Ten Beagle dogs were subjected to a crossover experimental design, receiving a basal diet with or without supplementation of 150 mg/kg zinc in the form of proteinate. Blood samples were collected throughout the experimental period for hematological, biochemical, immunological, and oxidative analyses, and fecal microbiota was evaluated at the end of each period. Zinc supplementation significantly increased serum zinc concentration (P < 0.05), confirming its greater bioavailability. A higher total leukocyte and lymphocyte count was observed on day 44 in the supplemented dogs (P < 0.05), without alterations in erythrocyte or platelet parameters. In the immunological profile, the supplemented dogs showed higher serum concentrations of IgG, IL-2, and IFN-γ, as well as greater adenosine deaminase and cholinesterase activity (P ≤ 0.05), whereas no differences were observed for IgA, C-reactive protein, or ferritin. In metabolism, zinc supplementation significantly reduced serum concentrations of total cholesterol (P < 0.05), with no effect on glucose or albumin. Regarding oxidative status, the supplemented dogs showed increased superoxide dismutase activity (P < 0.05), with no changes in reactive oxygen species or lipid peroxidation, suggesting an enhancement of antioxidant defense rather than oxidative stress. Zinc supplementation did not disrupt gut microbial diversity but was associated with selective shifts in the relative abundance and predicted functions of specific bacterial taxa, despite pronounced inter-individual variability among dogs. It is concluded that supplementation with organic zinc promotes positive adjustments in the immune response and antioxidant system of healthy adult dogs, without compromising oxidative homeostasis or the overall diversity of the intestinal microbiota.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148975327","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":"Heavy Metals, Trace Elements, and Smoking Biomarkers in Venous and Cupping Blood Before and After Wet Cupping Therapy.","authors":"Kazheen Hussein Jawzal, Azzam Abdulsattar Mosa","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05343-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05343-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Wet cupping therapy (Hijama) is increasingly examined using biochemical endpoints, yet its toxic-metal and trace-element profile in smokers remains poorly defined. This paired three-sample study investigated serum toxic metals, essential trace elements, metal-derived indices, and smoking-exposure biomarkers in 60 adult male smokers undergoing wet cupping. Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), while nicotine and cotinine were assessed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (RP-HPLC-DAD) in baseline venous blood, cupping blood, and venous blood collected 9-10 days after wet cupping. Co and Hg were below the analytical reporting threshold. Cupping blood showed a distinct elemental profile, with higher Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Pb and lower Zn than baseline venous blood (all p < .001). After 9-10 days, venous Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Pb decreased significantly, whereas venous Zn increased significantly (all p < .001). These venous changes were accompanied by reductions in toxic metal burden index (TMBI), TMBI-Zn, Cu/Zn, and Cd/Zn, together with an increase in Zn/Cu. Nicotine and cotinine significantly decreased at follow-up; however, baseline nicotine and cotinine were not significantly associated with measured metals. In contrast, self-reported cigarette consumption was positively associated with baseline Ni, Cu, and Cd and inversely associated with Zn, with these relationships persisting after adjustment for age, BMI, nicotine, and cotinine. These findings support a distinct cupping-blood elemental matrix and an exploratory association pattern between self-reported cigarette consumption and selected metal/Zn biomarkers.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148966464","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":"Biochemical and Nutritional Profiling of Important Ethiopian Enset (Ensete ventricosum) Landraces: Implications for Nutrition, Safety, and Traditional Medicine.","authors":"Mitiku Muanenda, Workineh Mengesha Fereja, Firehiwot Belyneh Usamo","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05333-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05333-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ensete ventricosum (enset) is a multipurpose staple crop central to food security in Ethiopia, where landraces Kake, Kerse, and Mundo are traditionally used to treat bone fractures, wounds, abdominal pain, and skin ailments. However, the biochemical basis for these part-specific applications remains poorly characterized, and no previous study has systematically compared nutrient profiles across landraces, plant parts, and geographic contexts.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study quantitatively evaluated proximate composition, macro- and micronutrient profiles, and heavy metal content in corm, pseudostem, leaf, and midrib of three Ethiopian enset landraces from the Gedeo Zone, and compared findings with published data from other Ethiopian regions and from processed enset products (kocho, bulla).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Proximate composition was determined using standard AOAC methods, with crude protein quantified by Kjeldahl. Elemental analysis was performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Statistical differences among landraces and plant parts were assessed using two-way ANOVA with Tukey's HSD post-hoc test (p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Distinct biochemical specialization was observed among landraces and plant parts. Corms of Kake and Mundo were rich in zinc (88-121 mg/kg) and phosphorus (up to 2,986 mg/kg). Leaves exhibited high protein (16.0-19.6%), iron (> 1,000 mg/kg), and calcium (up to 10,119 mg/kg). The midrib of Kerse showed elevated magnesium (1,847 mg/kg). Two-way ANOVA revealed significant landrace × plant part interaction effects for most minerals (p < 0.05). However, the presence of anti-nutritional factors particularly phytate limits mineral bioavailability, as indicated by molar ratios exceeding critical thresholds [1, 2]. Elevated mercury levels in several samples (up to 2.867 mg/kg) exceeded FAO/WHO limits, while other heavy metals were within safety thresholds. Comparison with published data revealed that protein levels in Gedeo Zone leaves exceed previously reported ranges (10-15%) for enset leaves from other Ethiopian regions. Traditional fermentation into kocho reduces protein content by 80-90% compared to raw corm.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings provide biochemical evidence consistent with the traditional uses of enset landraces. However, mineral bioavailability is likely limited by anti-nutritional factors, and pharmacological activities may be mediated by secondary metabolites rather than minerals alone, warranting phytochemical screening. Elevated mercury levels in some samples indicate food safety concerns requiring investigation. The observed biochemical diversity supports conservation of local enset genetic resources.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148966472","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":"Associations of Urinary Lead, Cadmium, and Arsenic Exposure with Obesity-Related Indicators Among School-Aged Children: A Longitudinal Study.","authors":"Xiangju Wu, Meng Wu, Linhong Li, Jieying Gao, Mingyu Si, Siyan Ye, Chengpeng Cui, Shudan Liu, Dan Wu, Yang Zhou, Rongchang Xiao, Qian Yang, Qin Liu","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05341-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05341-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To characterize lead, cadmium, and arsenic exposure and examine associations with obesity-related indicators in school-aged children. This study included 1,211 children aged 6-11 years. At baseline, anthropometric measurements and urine samples were collected, and anthropometric measurements were repeated at two 6-month visits. Urinary lead, cadmium, and arsenic were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and adjusted for creatinine.Outcomes included BMI, body fat percentage, waist-to-height ratio, waist circumference, and obesity outcomes. Associations were assessed using regression models and BKMR at baseline, and linear mixed models and generalized estimating equations for repeated measures. Among 1,211 children (mean age, 8.27 ± 0.94 years), detection rates for lead, cadmium, and arsenic were 97.77%, 84.72%, and 99.67%, respectively; creatinine-adjusted geometric mean concentrations were 0.57, 0.12, and 20.99 µg/g Cr. Cadmium was inversely associated with BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and obesity risk (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.73-0.98), whereas arsenic was inversely associated with BMI, body fat percentage, waist-to-height ratio, waist circumference, and both obesity outcomes. BKMR suggested that cadmium and arsenic were the main contributors, although no significant mixture effect was observed. Similar patterns were found in repeated-measures analyses. The third arsenic quartile was associated with lower obesity risk than the first (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.31-0.85). Exposure to lead, cadmium, and arsenic was common, with arsenic showing the highest level. Higher cadmium and arsenic exposures were associated with lower levels of several obesity-related indicators.Although no significant mixture effect was observed, cadmium and arsenic may contribute to obesity-related phenotypes.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148966391","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":"Elucidating the Protective Potential of Ferulic Acid Against Sodium Arsenite- Induced Thyroid and Adrenal Toxicity: An Integrated In-Silico Molecular Docking and In-Vivo Experimental Approach.","authors":"Esraa Emad El Dien, Yasmine H Ahmed, Mona Khamis Galal, Maha M Rashad, Hager M Ramadan, Ahmed F Essa, Abdelsamed I Elshamy, Shaymaa Hussein","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05231-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05231-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Arsenic is a hazardous environmental contaminant that adversely affects human and animal health. The present study aimed to investigate the potential adverse effects of sodium arsenite (SA) as an endocrine disruptor on the thyroid and adrenal glands. This study also investigated the endocrine-protective effect of ferulic acid (FA) in male rats exposed to SA. Forty male Wistar rats were organized into four groups: Control, FA (50 mg/kg), SA (10 mg/kg), and SA + FA. All substances were administered orally for 28 days. Our findings demonstrated that SA's ability to exert harmful effects was observed microscopically as vacuolation of colloid and follicular cells, as well as adrenal gland cell necrosis. As well as pronounced positive immunoreactivity for Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, SA significantly declined triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) serum levels. The expression of nuclear factor kappa β (NF-ƙβ), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and Nibrin (NBN) genes significantly increased. In contrast, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and catalase (CAT) antioxidant genes significantly diminished. Additionally, a docking simulation was performed to explain the binding affinity of FA on BCL2-associated X (Bax) and Cytochrome C (CYCS). Molecular docking demonstrated that FA binds strongly to Bax (ΔG = - 6.87 kcal/mol) and cytochrome C (ΔG = - 6.54 kcal/mol), which could imply a role in affecting mitochondrial apoptosis. In contrast, its high affinity for catalase (ΔG = - 6.30 kcal/mol) aligns with its potential antioxidant and cytoprotective mechanisms. Interestingly, FA administration provided partial protection against the toxic effects of sodium arsenite exposure in the examined organs.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148966467","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":"Biomonitoring of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Hair and Serum of Buffaloes from Coal Mining Zones of Chakwal, Pakistan.","authors":"Aima Iram Batool, Nida Saeed, Muhammad Fayyaz Ur Rehman, Javaria Ikram, Naima Huma Naveed","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05342-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05342-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although there is little information on metal buildup in buffaloes from the coal mining region of Chakwal, Pakistan, heavy metal exposure in animals grazing close to coal mining sites is a significant environmental problem. Specifically, comparative evaluation of serum and hair as biomonitoring matrices and the impact of location and age on metal load have not gotten much attention. Nine heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were assessed in the hair and serum samples of forty five buffaloes from Choa Saidan Shah, Dulmial, and Minhala. Wet acid digestion was used to prepare the samples, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used for analysis. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare hair and serum concentrations while Kruskal-Wallis tests and Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise Mann-Whitney U tests were used to evaluate spatial and age related differences. Metal associations and possible exposure patterns were investigated using principal component analysis (PCA) and Spearman's rank correlation. The range of mean values was 105.61 ± 5.54 for Zn in hair and 1.28 ± 0.05 for Pb in serum. In general, hair had greater amounts than serum, especially for Fe (102.11 ± 6.74 vs. 8.37 ± 0.48), Mn (39.34 ± 2.19 vs. 4.86 ± 0.07), Pb (11.85 ± 1.20 vs. 1.28 ± 0.05), and Zn (105.61 ± 5.54 vs. 9.54). While Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Zn varied significantly with age, Cd and Co showed large regional differences. Two alternative metal association patterns were found using PCA which may indicate different exposure pathways. Overall, the results suggest buffalo hair as a helpful noninvasive matrix for evaluating longer term heavy metal exposure in mining affected areas and offer baseline biomonitoring data.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148954744","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":"Association Between Iron Availability and Accelerated Biological Aging in Non-Anemic Women of Reproductive Age: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Huishan Guo, Yaqi Wang, Yuxin Guan, PeiYun Yang, Qian Zhao, Leonid N Maslov, Natalia V Naryzhnaya, Yue Guan, Huijie Ma","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05336-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05336-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Iron is essential for mitochondrial function, yet iron insufficiency without anemia in reproductive-aged women is often overlooked. Traditional markers like ferritin are influenced by inflammation, which may complicate the assessment of iron status and its association with biological aging. We analyzed 5,686 non-anemic reproductive-aged women (20-49 years) from NHANES cycles 2003-2010 and 2015-2023. We examined the association between the soluble transferrin receptor-to-log(ferritin) index (sTfR index), an indirect marker of iron status, and biological aging, measured by Phenotypic Age Acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel). Analyses included weighted multivariable regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) modeling, and sensitivity analysis (CRP ≤ 5 mg/L). Each 1-unit increase in sTfR index was associated with a 1.94-year increase in PhenoAgeAccel (95% CI: 1.56-2.32). The association remained robust after excluding participants with elevated inflammation (β = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.41-2.17). Separately, ferritin RCS analysis showed that compared with the median (47 μg/L), women at the WHO threshold (15 μg/L) exhibited 1.93 additional years of biological aging (95% CI: 1.58-2.29). Notably, women with higher sTfR index values (median ferritin 29 μg/L) showed PhenoAgeAccel values, despite a substantial proportion having ferritin levels above commonly used deficiency thresholds. The magnitude of this association varied across levels of bilirubin and socioeconomic status. Higher sTfR index values, even in the absence of anemia, were associated with accelerated biological aging in reproductive-aged women. The sTfR index may provide additional information regarding iron status beyond conventional markers.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148954741","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":"Speciation-Dependent Iron Uptake Drives Biofortification Efficiency and Nutritional Quality in Radish and Pea Microgreens.","authors":"Rishi Ravichandran, Francesco Di Gioia","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05319-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05319-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In plants and humans, adequate levels of iron (Fe) are essential for proper growth and development. Dietary deficiencies in Fe are particularly prevalent and can cause numerous physical and cognitive impairments in humans. Intervention strategies like agronomic biofortification can address these issues by utilizing fertilization to enhance the Fe content in a quick and straightforward manner in plant-based foods. Microgreens are nutritional powerhouses with low antinutrient levels, making them a promising candidate crop for agronomic Fe biofortification. Although Fe fertilization can increase Fe's abundance in the environment, Fe's availability is limited to plants in alkaline and oxidizing conditions. Therefore, selecting an efficient Fe fertilizer source is crucial for successful Fe enrichment. In this study, we investigated the effects of five alternative Fe fertilizers, including chelated Fe sources (Fe-EDDHA, Fe-EDTA), inorganic Fe salts (ferric sulfate, ferrous sulfate), and Fe-oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄), provided via fertigation at different concentrations (0, 15, 30, 45 mg/L), on the Fe enrichment, yield, and quality of radish and pea microgreens. Fe-EDTA was the most effective treatment for Fe enrichment, increasing Fe content by 3-5-fold in radish and 2-3-fold in pea microgreens, compared to the untreated control, with minimal trade-offs in yield and mineral composition. Fe-EDTA also ensured greater contributions to Fe's recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for adult males and females, compared to the other sources. These findings highlight the potential of Fe-EDTA in enriching microgreens that can serve as functional foods to combat Fe deficiencies at household and community scales.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148954761","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 Zinc Status on Pubertal and Cognitive Functions in Male Offspring of Rats with Induced Zinc Deficiency During Gestation and Lactation.","authors":"Omer Unal, Saltuk Bugra Baltaci, Elif Gulbahce-Mutlu, Nilufer Akgun-Unal, Rasim Mogulkoc, Abdulkerim Kasim Baltaci","doi":"10.1007/s12011-026-05338-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-026-05338-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to examine the consequences of maternal zinc deficiency (MZD) during pregnancy and lactation on spatial memory, puberty, and nutritional hormone levels in male rat offspring, and to assess whether zinc supplementation can mitigate these impairments. Twenty pregnant Wistar rats were fed either a zinc-deficient diet (2.8 mg/kg) or a standard zinc diet (130 mg/kg). Following weaning on postnatal day 21 (P21), the pups were allocated into four groups until the conclusion of the study on postnatal day 66 (P66): the Continued-deficiency group (Group 1), the Postweaning dietary-repletion group (Group 2), the Dietary repletion plus intraperitoneal zinc group (Group 3), and the Control group (Group 4). Cognitive performance was assessed using the Morris water maze. Gene expression levels in the hippocampus and hypothalamus (ZnT3, BDNF, NPY, GnRH, Kisspeptin, GATAD1) were determined via RT-qPCR, while serum hormone levels were measured using ELISA. The residual effects of maternal zinc deficiency (MZD) were isolated by comparing Group 2 (postweaning dietary-repletion group) and Group 4 (control group); despite postweaning dietary rescue, Group 2 failed to resolve the significant suppressions in hippocampal ZnT3 and BDNF, and hypothalamic kisspeptin gene expressions, demonstrating the long-lasting molecular footprint of early-life exposure. To evaluate the compounding impact of ongoing postnatal deficiency, we compared Group 1 (continued-deficiency group) with Group 2, revealing that continued postweaning deficiency further exacerbated spatial memory deficits and neuroendocrine suppression. Intraperitoneal zinc supplementation provided an additional therapeutic effect beyond standard diet alone (Group 3 vs. Group 2), successfully restoring behavioral and molecular parameters. Notably, this pharmacological intervention returned these levels back to control-like, physiological values (Group 3 vs. Group 4) without exceeding the physiological range.</p>","PeriodicalId":8917,"journal":{"name":"Biological Trace Element Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148954707","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}