The effect of age and gender on 38 chemical element contents in human iliac crest investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis.
METHODS
To understand the role of major, minor, and trace elements in the etiology of bone diseases including osteoporosis, it is necessary to determine the normal levels and age-related changes of bone chemical elements.


METHODS
The effect of age and gender on 38 chemical element contents in intact iliac crest of 84 apparently healthy 15-55 years old women (n=38) and men (n=46) was investigated by neutron activation analysis.


RESULTS
Mean values (M+/-SEM) for mass fraction (on dry weight basis) of Ca, Cl, Co, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Sr, and Zn for both female and male taken together were Ca - 169+/-3g/kg, Cl - 1490+/-43 mg/kg, Co - 0.0073+/-0.0024 mg/kg, Fe - 177+/-24 mg/kg, K - 1820+/-79 mg/kg, Mg - 1840+/-48 mg/kg, Mn - 0.316+/-0.013 mg/kg, Na - 4970+/-87 mg/kg, P - 79.7+/-1.5 g/kg, Rb - 1.89+/-0.22 mg/kg, Sr - 312+/-15 mg/kg, and Zn - 65.9+/-3.4 mg/kg, respectively. The upper limit of mean contents of Cs, Eu, Hg, Sb, Sc, and Se were Cs < or = 0.09 mg/kg, Eu < or = 0.005 mg/kg, Hg < or = 0.005 mg/kg, Sb < or = 0.004 mg/kg, Sc < or = 0.001 mg/kg, and Se < or = 0.1mg/kg, respectively. In all bone samples the contents of Ag, As, Au, Ba, Br, Cd, Ce, Cr, Gd, Hf, La, Lu, Nd, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, U, Yb, and Zr were under detection limits.


CONCLUSIONS
The Ca, Mg, and P contents decrease with age, regardless of gender. Higher Ca, Mg, P, and Sr mass fractions as well as lower Fe content are typical of female iliac crest as compared to those in male bone.
Zaichick
Sofia
S
Northwestern University, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Zaichick
Vladimir
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000737:chemistry*; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009501:Neutron Activation Analysis / Q000379:methods; D012737:Sex Factors; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
D014131:Trace Elements