Contents of bioelements and toxic metals in a Polish population determined by hair analysis. Part 2. Young persons aged 10-20 years.

The aim of this study was to define referential values of 5 basic bioelements (Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe) in the hair of Polish young persons aged 10-20 years, based on the research conducted from 1991 to 2004 on a group of over 3420 healthy young persons. Mean concentrations of two toxic metals (Pb and Cd) in over 2000 young men were also investigated. The results of biochemical tests were analyzed with the program STATISTICA 7.0 (StatSoft PL). Significant differences between girls' and boys' hair Ca, Mg and Zn in the same age group were observed (p = 0.0000). It was determined that boys have smaller concentrations of hair Ca, Mg and Zn than girls. No significant differences were observed between concentrations of Cu and Fe in the hair of girls and boys of the same age in the tested period. Significantly greater amounts of Pb and Cd characterize boys. Analyses of correlations confirm significance (p < 0.05000) of synergistic interactions between bioelements: Ca-Mg (r = +0.80), Ca-Zn (r = +0.52), Ca-Cu (r = +0.14), Mg-Zn (r = +0.50), Mg-Cu (r = +0.13), Zn-Cu (r = +0.11), Cu-Fe (r = +0.04). Significance (p < 0.05000) of antagonistic interactions of bioelements with toxic metals: Zn-Pb (r = -0.30), Mg-Pb (r = -0.20), Ca-Pb (r = -0.18) and Zn-Cd (r = -0.07) was confirmed. Significance (p < 0.05000) of synergistic effects with toxic elements: Pb-Cd (r = +0.34), Fe-Pb (r = +0.22), Fe-Cd (r = +0.13) was determined. Compatibility of the statistically mapped basic characteristics of young persons' developmental age with the functions of concentrations in tested hair bioelements was confirmed. Young persons whose concentrations of selected hair bioelements showed values outside the reference ranges and who had higher concentrations of toxic metals should undergo further diagnostic tests since the results of previous tests could be a sign of disturbances leading to various diseases. Analyses of the concentrations of bioelements and toxic metals in humans based on hair analysis can be useful as a convenient, non-invasive and painless method in the diagnosis of pathological states. Combined with other analytical data, this method can be used by practising physicians as a complementary diagnostic procedure.