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H Mussalo-Rauhamaa

Publications and source records attributed to H Mussalo-Rauhamaa.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Partitioning and levels of neutral organochlorine compounds in human serum, blood cells, and adipose and liver tissue.

Concentrations of neutral organochlorine compounds (OCs) in blood compartments and adipose tissue were determined in three groups of subjects. In 12 healthy volunteers a positive correlation was found between DDT residue levels in paired serum/adipose tissue samples when the concentrations were calculated on a fat-weight basis (r = 0.74, p less than 0.05); positive correlations were also found for PCB and HCB when the calculations were based on a wet-weight basis (r = 0.68, p less than 0.01; r = 0.69, p less than 0.01). For lindane the correlation coefficient for paired serum/adipose tissue samples was -0.94 (p less than 0.01). The association between adipose tissue and blood cells was weaker than that obtained for serum. These readily obtainable samples are adequate for estimating, or monitoring, the total burden of neutral organochlorines in adipose tissue, especially in cases of low chronic exposure, such as those found in epidemiological studies. In paired liver-adipose tissue samples from 23 autopsy cases, no correlation was found either on a wet- or fat-weight basis. In 131 adults resident in southern and eastern Finland the concentration medians for serum were 1.8, 2.0 and 0.3 ng g-1 wet wt for DDT compounds. PCB and HCB, respectively. This study indicates that monitoring of fat/serum ratios may provide, with tissue concentrations, more information about human exposure to OCs.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1990

Serum baseline hyaluronate and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

The baseline serum hyaluronate (HA) concentration from samples obtained five to seven hours after mobilization of the patient was quantified using a radiometric 125I-HA binding method in 58 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and compared with several clinical and laboratory parameters by means of stepwise multiple linear regression. In the age- and sex-adjusted model, the variables with independent predictive value for serum hyaluronate concentration were the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the joint score index measuring the extent of the synovial inflammation. The estimated synovial mass index and C-reactive protein values did not improve the fit of the model after ESR and joint score were entered, and were left out from the multiple regression equation. When ESR and joint score were studied in univariate regression analysis with serum hyaluronate, the coefficients were r = 0.492 and r = 0.397, and the P values were P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.005, respectively. It was concluded that the baseline hyaluronate level in serum is closely related to the synovitic activity of the rheumatoid inflammation and that measurement of serum hyaluronate is of value when the activity and extent of synovial inflammation is being assessed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Occurrence of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane in breast cancer patients.

The residues of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and neutral organochlorine compounds in breast fat of 44 breast cancer patients and 33 women free of cancer were determined. No statistically significant differences appeared between the two comparison groups with regard to occurrence of PAH compounds. Of the neutral organochlorine compounds, residues of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) were found more frequently in breast cancer patients. After adjusting for age and parity by stepwise logistic regression, beta-HCH remained a significant risk factor of breast cancer. Using a cutoff point for the residue level of beta-HCH in breast adipose tissue of more than 0.1 mg/kg fat, the odds ratio was 10.51 (95% CI, 2.00-55.26).

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1989

The presence of chlorophenols and their conjugates in Finnish human adipose and liver tissues.

The concentrations of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, pentachlorophenol and their conjugates were analysed in tissues of 58 people from the southern and northern parts of Finland, none of whom were known to be occupationally exposed. The tissue samples consisted of 44 adipose and 13 liver samples. The ages of the donors varied from 3 months to 91 years. Only very small residues of chlorophenols were found: the median concentration of tetra- or pentachlorophenol in adipose tissue samples was 0.002 micrograms g-1 fat, ranging from a trace amount to 0.031 micrograms g-1, while none of the samples contained measurable amounts of trichlorophenol. In liver samples, the median concentration of pentachlorophenol was 0.004 micrograms g-1. Only two liver samples were positive for tetrachlorophenol and none for trichlorophenol. The age, smoking habit or fish intake of the donor did not have any relation to the chlorophenol concentration found in the tissue sample.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1989

Serum trace elements in juvenile chronic arthritis.

We evaluated the serum concentrations of zinc, copper and selenium in 125 patients with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). Trace element levels showed distinct abnormalities as compared with those of a large group of healthy children. Serum zinc and selenium concentrations were lower and those of copper higher in children with arthritis than in healthy children and, further, patients with polyarthritis had significantly higher copper and lower zinc levels than those with oligoarthritis. Serum zinc levels showed a direct correlation with hemoglobin and an inverse correlation with values for the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), whereas copper correlated directly with ESR. Selenium values did not correlate with the activity of the disease, but were low in the patients with arthritis of long duration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Relation between the content of organochlorine compounds in Finnish human milk and characteristics of the mothers.

Neutral organochlorine pesticide and PCB residues were analyzed by GC-MS technique in 183 human milk samples obtained in 1984-1985 from 165 women living in different parts of Finland. The effect of the donors' age, body mass, place of residence, number of children, dietary habits, smoking habits, occupational history, and weight loss on the organochlorine content of human milk were studied. Of all the milk samples analyzed, p,p'-DDE concentrations were above the detection limit in 99.5%, p,p'-DDD + p,p'-DDT in 57.9%, isomers of HCH in 30.0%, cis-chlordane in 4.9%, oxychlordane in 3.3%, trans-nonachlor in 6.0%, heptachlor in 12.0%, and heptachlor epoxide in 6.6%. Mirex was not found in any of the milk samples, whereas the signals of chlorinated terpenes (toxaphenes) were detected but could not be quantitatively determined. The mean fat adjusted residue levels above the detection limit in Finnish human milk samples of primipara mothers were 0.66 ppm for total DDT compounds, 0.08 ppm for HCB, 0.93 ppm for PCBs, 0.41 ppm for chlordane compounds, 0.20 ppm for isomers of HCH, and 0.10 ppm for heptachlor epoxide. The geometric means were 0.46, 0.06, 0.57, 0.02, 0.02, and 0.01 ppm, respectively. The age of the mothers positively correlated with the DDE concentrations in human milk. The residues of OC compounds in human milk did not differ in women living in plywood industry regions, those actually working in the industry, and other mothers. Small differences were detected in the levels of organochlorine compounds in different parts of Finland. No relation was found between the OC content and the fish consumption, smoking habits, weight loss, or social group of the donors.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1988

Predictive clinical and laboratory parameters for serum zinc and copper in rheumatoid arthritis.

Zinc and copper have important effects on T cell mediated immunity and on neutrophil function, but it is not known how the causes or effects, of low serum zinc and high serum copper relate to the clinical picture of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study serum zinc and copper determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and 30 other clinical, immunological, and laboratory parameters in 60 patients with RA were analysed by stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. Joint score index, rheumatoid factor titre, seropositivity, haemoglobin, and C reactive protein (CRP) were among the nine independent variables which together predicted 73% of the serum zinc variation. This suggests that there is an association between the immune-inflammatory rheumatoid process and the serum zinc concentration. CRP alone had only a 3% independent predicting value for serum zinc, however. This suggests that metallothionein mediated sequestration in the liver, induced by interleukin 1, is not an important explanatory factor in a cross sectional study of chronic inflammation. Furthermore, serum zinc did not have any predictive value at all for serum copper concentration. This does not support the hypothesis suggesting that serum zinc deficiency leads to high serum copper by inducing gastrointestinal metallothionein and high caeruloplasmin.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Avoidance of contamination in element analysis of serum samples.

The selection of sampling needles and plastic material used for the storage of serum samples were studied. Sampling needles and plastic material were analyzed by neutron activation analysis. Leaching of elements from containers by acids and EDTA-solution was also followed. Also the long-term storage of serum samples for element analysis was investigated. Zn, Cu and Se concentration of serum was followed over the course of four years. The selection of sampling needles, as well as all plasticware which comes into contact with the serum, should be based on the knowledge of possible removal of elements from materials into the sample. Storage of serum samples at -18 degrees C does not change the copper, zinc or selenium concentration over the course of 4 years despite repeated melting and refreezing of the samples.

Blood Chemical Analysis↗
PubMed1988

Alcohol intake correlated with serum trace elements.

Alcohol intake and serum copper, selenium, magnesium, iron and zinc were investigated in 85 subjects, 48 males and 37 females. Alcohol intake was measured with a questionnaire probing alcohol intake during the preceding 30 days. Mean average daily intake among males was 119.7 g (range 0-622.3 g) and among females 32.1 g (range 0-378.5 g), and the mean consumption per drinking day among males was 208.5 g (range 0-666.7 g) and among females 63.8 g (range 0-63.8 g). Among males alcohol intake per drinking day correlated positively with serum copper (r = 0.50; P less than 0.001) and negatively with serum selenium (r = -0.49; P less than 0.001) and magnesium (r = 0.40; P less than 0.01). Likewise, among females alcohol intake per drinking day correlated positively with serum copper (r = 0.54; P less than 0.01) and negatively with serum magnesium (r = -0.36; P less than 0.05). Serum selenium concentration was negatively and significantly correlated with average daily intake (r = -0.34; P less than 0.05) but not with intake per drinking day. No significant correlations were found between alcohol intake and serum zinc or iron levels. Only two men, both abstainers, had abnormally low serum zinc level, and two other men (average daily alcohol intake less than 37 g) and two women (average daily alcohol intake less than 15 g) had abnormally high serum iron level. Alcohol intake was associated with high serum copper and low serum magnesium and selenium levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Decreased serum selenium and magnesium levels in drunkenness arrestees.

Serum levels of selenium magnesium, copper, zinc and iron were studied in chronic drunkenness arrestees and a healthy control group. The mean serum concentrations of selenium and magnesium were both significantly lower (P less than 0.01) in drunkenness arrestees than in the control subjects. The mean alcohol intake was 190 g of absolute alcohol daily in drunkenness arrestees and 14 g in controls. The erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase concentrations of the study groups did not support poor selenium intake as a principal cause of low selenium concentration in the serum.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Element concentrations in serum, erythrocytes, hair and urine of alopecia patients.

The trace element concentrations of Se, Rb, Zn, Fe, Co, Cs, Mg, Ca, F, Cu, Cr and Ag in serum and of Se, Rb, Zn, Fe, Co and Cs in red cells of Finnish alopecia patients were determined. In addition the Cu and Zn content in 24 h urine and Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr and Se concentrations in the hair of these patients were studied. No differences in element concentrations of the samples mentioned above as compared to those of the normal population could be found. In addition, there was no tendency of excesses or deficiences of elements analysed in the samples. Statistically significant difference was found between the copper content of serum in alopecia areata and alopecia universalis patients and also between the copper content of serum in alopecia areata plus alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis patients. The selenium concentration in serum samples of a few patients was low, but this is in agreement with the fact that the selenium content in the Finnish population is low due to the scanty content of selenium in food.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Influence of diet and other factors on the levels of organochlorine compounds in human adipose tissue in Finland.

One hundred and five human adipose tissue samples were recovered during surgical operations or postmorten examinations of patients experiencing death due to traumatic injury. The sample donors were between the ages of 2 mo and 91 yr. Samples were analyzed by GLC-MS techniques for polychlorobiophenyl (PCB) and dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) compounds, chlordanes, hexachlorobenzene, and chlorinated phenols. Special attention was paid to the concentration of hepatchlor epoxide, a metabolite of heptachlor, commonly used as an insecticide in the Finnish plywood industry. The mean concentrations of PCB, DTTs, HCB, and chlordanes were 0.26, 0.33, 0.02, and 0.007 mg/kg fresh weight, respectively, while the mean concentration of heptachlor epoxide was 2.3 micrograms/kg. The geometric means were 0.20, 0.28, 0.018, 0.0055, and 0.002 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of PCB and DDT compounds in Finnish human adipose tissue has rapidly decreased during the last 10 yr. The average concentrations were higher in south Finland than those in north Finland, and the results clearly indicate the prominent influence of fish meals and the age of sample donors on the pollutant concentrations in adipose tissue. The results were further analyzed and discussed with respect to sex, smoking habits, and number of childbirths of the sample donors.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1984

Plutonium in Finnish Lapps--an estimate of the gastrointestinal absorption of plutonium by man based on a comparison of the plutonium content of Lapps and southern Finns.

The plutonium body burden of five male Lapps was determined through radiochemical analysis of bone, liver and lung samples, and compared with the body burden of male southern Finns. Tissue burdens of plutonium were found equal in the Lapps and southern Finns. The mean content of 239,240Pu in bone (ribs), liver and lung of the Lapps was 0.045, 0.42 and 0.033 pCi/kg wet wt (1.7, 15.5, 1.2 mBq/kg), respectively. The average body burden of plutonium in the Lapps was 1.1 pCi (41 mBq). The 137Cs, 90Sr, 210Po and 210Pb contents of tissue samples were analyzed to estimate the amount of reindeer tissue consumed by the Lapps studied. The 137Cs content in liver and lung of the Lapps was, on the average, 2160 and 1180 pCi/kg wet wt (79.9 and 43.7 Bq/kg), respectively. In southern Finns both liver and lung content of 137Cs was less than 50 pCi wet wt (less than 1.9 Bq/kg). For 210Po, the liver and lung values were 86.2 and 8.2 pCi/kg wet wt (3.2 and 0.3 Bq/kg) in the Lapps and 15.4 and 3.9 pCi/kg wet wt (0.6 and 0.1 Bq/kg) in southern Finns, respectively. The inhalation intake of 239,240Pu of male Lapps during the period 1954-1978 was about 13 pCi (0.48 Bq) and that of southern Finns about 18 pCi (0.67 Bq). The estimated values for dietary intake were 535 pCi (19.7 Bq) and 36 pCi (1.3 Bq), respectively. The fractional absorption factor of 239,240Pu from the GI tract of man was estimated to be (8-9) X 10(-4), which is somewhat higher than that presently suggested by the ICRP for soluble plutonium compounds (1 X 10(-4)).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cigarettes as a source of some trace and heavy metals and pesticides in man.

Trace and heavy metal and pesticide contents of different tobacco brands sold in Finland during 1920 to 1984 were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with the purpose of investigating the variation in contents over time. In addition, the following were studied: the effect of commercial filters in cigarettes in preventing the inhalation of metals, the transfer of metals and pesticides to the mainstream smoke; and the correlation between the cadmium content of adipose tissue of smokers and their smoking habits. No differences were found in trace and heavy metal contents of different brands and packs from different decades. The pesticide residues in tobacco have followed the pattern of their use in the tobacco plantation. The dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) content of tobacco has decreased during the past 20 yr to about 1/200 of the peak value, i.e., from 34.5 to 0.17 micrograms/g. Cigarette filters significantly prevent the inhalation of cadmium, lead, magnesium, and iron. The mean content of cadmium in fat tissue of male smokers was four times that of non-smokers. The difference was statistically significant.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, and other chlordane compounds in Finnish plywood workers.

Residue levels of heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, and other chlordane compounds were determined in sera from 74 Finnish plywood workers and 52 controls. Concentrations of heptachlor epoxide in plywood workers varied from below the detection limit of 0.1 ng/g to 19.2 ng/g serum (conversion factor for SI units = 975 [1 ng/g = 0.98 microgram/l]); the mean and standard deviation were 3.2 and 3.9 ng/g, respectively. Heptachlor expoxide values in controls varied from below the detection limit to 1.2 ng/g serum. The exposure time, i.e., number of years spent working with sizings that contained heptachlor, correlated with the residue levels of heptachlor epoxide that were measured in serum samples taken from employees at two companies (p = .03). The most common chlordane compound (contaminant of heptachlor) found in the sera of plywood workers was trans-nonachlor; also found were high concentrations of heptachlor epoxide. Headache, dizziness, and eye irritation were not related to serum levels of heptachlor or chlordane compounds.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum cholesterol and vitamins A and E in juvenile chronic arthritis.

Serum total cholesterol is decreased during acute infections and in adults with rheumatoid arthritis, probably partly because of enhanced lipid peroxidation. Oxidative stress also causes augmentation of inflammation and tissue damage in arthritic synovium. Therefore, concentrations of serum total cholesterol and the antioxidant vitamins A and E were studied in 125 children with juvenile chronic arthritis. Total serum cholesterol was significantly lower in the patients than in healthy children in most age groups and correlated with the markers of disease activity, haemoglobin and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In age- and sex-adjusted stepwise multiple linear regression, serum zinc had a significant predictive value for cholesterol. The vitamin A concentrations in the sera of the patients was virtually the same as in the healthy controls, though serum vitamin E concentrations were low (22.8 +/- 15.2 vs 30.5 +/- 4.3 mumol/l, p less than 0.001). The deficiency in vitamin E was not compensated for by another lipoperoxide antioxidant, glutathione peroxidase. Only serum cholesterol had an independent explanatory significance for vitamin E in multiple linear regression analysis (partial correlation 0.554, p less than 0.001). It is suggested that low vitamin E and impairment of the anti-oxidant protection further contribute to low serum cholesterol values in JCA.

Adolescent↗