title: The influence of biological and environmental factors on metallothionein concentration in the blood.
abstract: The concentration of metallothionein (MT), a low-molecular-weight protein, is regulated by many factors, primarily metals (zinc, cadmium, copper), cytokines, glucocorticoides and free radicals. These factors are determined by such aspects of human biology as gender, pregnancy and age, as well as by environmental factors including the use of oral contraceptives and cigarette smoking, all which may affect MT levels in the body. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of these biological and environmental factors on MT concentrations in erythrocyte lysate and in plasma. MT concentrations were determined by a two-step direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Evaluation of exposure to cigarette smoking was performed by checking cotinine levels in the plasma of subjects. The studies showed higher MT concentrations in both the erythrocyte lysate and plasma of women when compared to men. Furthermore, pregnancy causes an increase of MT concentration in plasma, while oral contraceptives cause an elevated concentration of MT in erythrocyte lysate. Age impacts plasma MT concentrations in men, whereas it does not affect concentrations of MT in erythrocyte lysate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211, Wrocław 50-556, Poland. Electronic address: kasiakowalska1987@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kowalska
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211, Wrocław 50-556, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bizoń
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211, Wrocław 50-556, Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zalewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211, Wrocław 50-556, Poland.
authors.forename: Halina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Milnerowicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002104:Cadmium / Q000097:blood; D002457:Cell Extracts; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D004777:Environment; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002457:Cell Extracts; D002104:Cadmium; D003300:Copper; D008668:Metallothionein; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Biological factors; Environmental factors; Metallothionein