Correlation between Magnesium, Calcium and Phosphorus Coefficient in Blood and Hair in Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Uwikor, F.K. *
Department of Chemical Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Micronutrients are nutrients such as vitamins and minerals required by organisms in varying quantities throughout life to orchestrate a range of physiological functions to maintain health. In metal toxicology, especially for trace elements, samples of whole blood and not serum/plasma are most often used for biological monitoring. As a biological tissue, scalp hair is unique in that it remains isolated from human metabolic activities and indicates the concentration profiles of elements in individuals at the time.
Aim: The present study assessed the correlation between blood and hair in magnesium, calcium and phosphorous coefficient.
Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study carried out at Otuoke community in Ogbia Local Government Area and Eni-yimini Laboratories LTD, Yenezue-gene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, between June and October 2023. A total number of fifty (50) samples were used in this research. The samples were divided into twenty-five different human hairs and twenty-five human blood samples (Araoye method). Blood samples were collected with 5ml syringe into plain tubes, the blood samples coagulated, and each of the blood samples was spun in a centrifuge at 4000rpm and the supernatant was separated from the red blood cells for further analysis. Data were analyzed using one-way Anova with statistical significance considered as P < 0.05
Results: The findings show that there was a statistically significance increase in calcium. Hair's calcium concentration is higher than blood, due to the high concentration of keratin in the hair, also with the use of prior cosmetic and sample washing treatments. The calcium concentration increases significantly in NaOH group when compared to the hair group. The increase of calcium in hair is due to high calcium in the concentration of keratin.
Conclusion: This research revealed that the findings from the study show no significant correlation between, all the matrices used for this study and that hair has its limitations and is not suitable for estimation and clinical use of electrolytes. Calcium has also been studied for its potential role in the development of certain types of cancer, specifically colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer if the level decreases than the normal stability.
Keywords: Biological tissue, scalp hair, metal toxicology, micronutrients