nalytical results obtained by ICP of
hair samples from a group of women from Rio
de Janeiro city show that abnormal Ca and P
concentrations in this compartment can be an
indication of pathologies affecting the
metabolism of these elements. The study was
conducted initially on 900 women (outpatients,
>40 years). From this group, approx. 24%
showed anomalously high or low Ca
concentrations in hair, in some cases
correlated to anomalies of other elements. In
144 cases (16%), very high concentrations of
Ca (up to 8285 ppm) were measured,
frequently correlated with high concentration of
P (up to 4720 ppm), exceeding by far the
reference intervals for this age/sex group.
Follow-up studies of a few individuals from this
group gave first indications that their abnormal
hair composition was related to endocrine
pathologies effecting calcium/bone
metabolism. Very low Ca-concentrations were
observed in older women (72 cases, age>60
years) and related to senile osteoporosis.
Complementary investigations of patients with
recognized endocrinologic pathologies
(hyperthyroidism, hype-and hypothyroidism)
and osteomalacia gave statistical support for
the hypothesis that hair concentrations of Ca,
P and various other elements are influenced
characteristically by these diseases. In
Patients with hyperparathyroidism and
hyperthyroidism, both elements showed
significant increase in hair, whereas patients
with rickets/osteomalacia had only elevated Ca
concentrations, together with suspiciously high
toxic levels of Cd and various other elements
(Fe, Mn, Mg, Sr, Ba). Patients with
hypoparathyroididism had significantly
decreased Ca and P concentrations in hair.
Statistical evaluation of these data by
multivariant analysis (MANOVA) using a
contrast matrix and by discriminant analysis
showed that elemental hair anomalies can be
used to diagnose correctly the abovementioned
pathologies, demonstrating the
usefulness of hair analysis as a
complementary tool for detection of
disturbances in calcium/bone metabolism.
Miekeley N, de Carvalho Fortes LM, Porto da
Silveira CL, Lima MB, J Trace Elem Med Biol
2001;15:46-55
Copyright © 2003 Anamol Laboratories Ltd.
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