Relationship between heavy metals and biochemical parameters in human vegetarians, consumers of seafood and omnivores

Abstract

The relationship was analyzed between Ca, Mg, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, and P and biochemical parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, total protein, globulins, total thiols, ferritin, creatinine, glucose, urea, total bilirubin and the aspartate transaminase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] enzymes) in vegetarians (25), regular consumers of seafood (RCSF, 30) and omnivores (30). The biochemical parameters were analyzed by using automated blood chemistry equipment, and the chemical elements were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) assay. No significant differences in Zn, Ca, and P concentrations were found between the groups. Biochemical parameters were observed to be within the reference ranges. Vegetarians showed the highest concentrations of Fe, Ca, Ni, Cr, Cu and Cd, the highest mean values of triglycerides and total thiols, and the lowest concentration of urea and ALT. In all groups, Cd and Fe were found to be significantly associated. Vegetarians showed an association with Mg, Zn, P, Ca and Ni. An association was found between P, Cr, Fe, Cd and Mg, and Zn, Cu and Ca in blood of the RCSF group, while omnivores presented an association with Mg, Cr, Ni, P, and Zn. Ferritin was associated with cadmium in RCSF, while in omnivores Cd and Ni were associated with AST and negatively associated with ferritin and Ca.