Correlation Between Salivary and Blood Nickel Concentration in Smokers and Nonsmokers
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2018, Vol 9, Issue 1
Abstract
Nickel is a naturally occurring heavy metal in the environment, and one of the harmful compounds found in tobacco, as it accumulates in the plant Nicotina tabacum. It is also considered a carcinogen in humans. Its concentrations in the body can undergo many variations and its determination in body fluids can be an important way to monitor exposure to this carcinogen. This paper aimed to analyze salivary and blood nickel concentrations in smokers and nonsmokers. Salivary/blood concentrations of 23 individuals were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. We found higher nickel salivary concentration in non-smokers (8.28 μg.L-1 versus 4.23μg.L-1), While blood concentration was greater in smokers (2.22μg.L-1 versus 1.02μg.L-1) (p<0.05, Wilcoxon signed-rank test).Salivary concentration was 3.5 times higher in saliva than in blood, with no statistical correlation between the samples. Although saliva is considered a good biological matrix, easy to collect/store, allowing the detection of nickel with the same technique already used for blood, it was not a suitable substrate for estimating the concentration of nickel in the blood. In addition, unexpectedly, greater amounts of nickel were found in the saliva of nonsmoking individuals possibly resulting from nickel sources other than smoking.Nickel (Ni) is a metal element found throughout the soil, with wide use in processes such as mining, smelting, metal manufacturing residues, ash and sewage sludge. Humans are exposed to nickel through air, food and water, occupational exposure and some habits such as smoking [1]. The tobacco plant has a natural ability to accumulate large amounts of minerals from the contaminated soil, thus it serves as a source of nickel and other metals to the human body [2]. In addition, cigarette smoking is the main etiological factor for many cancers such as lung, bladder, and mouth [3]. As the habit of smoking often persists for several years, smoking can be a great source of nickel for humans, tending to increase its levels in the body [2]. Nickel compounds are classified according to IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) as agents 1, known to be carcinogenic to humans similarly to other metals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) [4]. The association between exposure to some metals, smoking, and cancer is dose dependent, with oncogenic risk proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked per day and smoking habit duration [5,6].In addition, the amount of nickel and other constituents in cigarettes varies according to origin and brand. Studies evaluating this parameter showed level of 1.26 ± 0.449 ug.g-1 of tabaco in Brazil [2], 1.1 to 3.9 ug.g-1 in North American [7], and 0.79 ug.g-1 in Chine [8]. The amount of nickel absorbed by the body depends on how much is inhaled, ingested, or in contact with the skin, apart from its physical and chemical characteristics, and the solubility of nickel, an important factor for all absorption pathways. Generally, its absorption is higher for nickel carbonyl, followed by soluble compounds, nickel metal, and its insoluble compounds. Once absorbed, it reaches the bloodstream, binds to protein carriers and affects all organs and tissues [1]. Its blood concentrations may undergo many variations. According to Stojanovic et al. [9], blood and urine concentration increases in smokers, but factors such as the intensity of elimination and concentration in organs may also influence.
Authors and Affiliations
Daniel Filipe Ivan, Feller Georgia Voltolini, Krieger Heloisa Aparecida de Carvalho, Grando Grando, Liliane Janete, Dos Santos Claudia Regina
Keywords
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- EP ID EP591713
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.09.001741
- Views 155
- Downloads 0
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