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Multi-element Analysis of Brain Regions from South African Cadavers

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Abstract

Trace elements are vital for a variety of functions in the brain. However, an imbalance can result in oxidative stress. It is important to ascertain the normal levels in different brain regions, as such information is still lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to provide baseline trace element concentrations from a South African population, as well as determine trace element differences between sex and brain regions. Samples from the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus and hippocampus were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Aluminium, antimony, arsenic, barium, boron, cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium, strontium, vanadium and zinc were assessed. A multiple median regression model was used to determine differences between sex and regions. Twenty-nine male and 13 female cadavers from a Western Cape, South African population were included (mean age 35 years, range 19 to 45). Trace element levels were comparable to those of other populations, although magnesium was considerably lower. While there were no sex differences, significant anatomical regional differences existed; the caudate nucleus and hippocampus were the most similar, and the globus pallidus and hippocampus the most different. In conclusion, this is the first article to report the trace element concentrations of brain regions from a South African population. Low magnesium levels in the brain may be linked to a dietary deficiency, and migraines, depression and epilepsy have been linked to low magnesium levels. Future research should be directed to increase the dietary intake of magnesium.

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Funding

The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF) towards this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at, are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NRF.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Clinical Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Western Cape, South Africa

    Karen Cilliers

  2. Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform (BRIP), South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, Western Cape, South Africa

    Christo J.F. Muller

  3. Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health ScieAnces, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Western Cape, South Africa

    Christo J.F. Muller

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  1. Karen Cilliers
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Correspondence to Karen Cilliers.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee (Health Research Ethics Committee, Stellenbosch University, S17/09/183) and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from the Legally Authorized Representative or from the next of kin.

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Cilliers, K., Muller, C.J. Multi-element Analysis of Brain Regions from South African Cadavers. Biol Trace Elem Res 199, 425–441 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-020-02158-z

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