Trace element changes in cardiovascular diseases

Artery samples and five different brain structures originating from both atherosclerosis affected and healthy Portuguese individuals were examined for their elemental content. Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) was used to determine K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se and Rb in all the tissues studied. The most prominent differences between the pathological and reference data were those for Mn, Fe. Cu and Zn in the nucleus caudatus, putamen and substantia nigra brain regions. In the arteries a significant increase in Ca and Mn content was observed, whereas the K and Fe content declined. The decreased K and Rb content in the five brain structures from the pathological group and the changes for Mn in the nucleus caudatus, putamen and substantia nigra regions can be associated with aging. However, age cannot explain the other trace element alterations, e.g., for Fe, Cu and Zn. Most likely, the changes for these elements are due to atherosclerosis progression