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EPIDEMIOLOGY
Abstract
The concentration of molybdenum was measured in whole blood samples of 418 (244 males and 174 females)
apparently normal donors ranging in age from 18 to 27-years old and living in nine different locations in the Merida
State (Venezuela). The geometric mean concentration of molybdenum of 418 subjects was of 2.6670.66 mg L1 (range:
1.204.80 mg L1). The levels of molybdenum in whole blood samples found in this work were of 2.5770.52 and
2.5470.51 (range: 1.204.80 and 1.404.20) mg L1 for males and females, respectively. The data of the content
molybdenum in whole blood had no statistical correlation with age, sex or height above the sea level of the sampling
sites. However, there was a tendency to decrease the levels of the element in those sampling sites located in highlands
(X1900 m above the sea level). This variability may be due to the source of molybdenum from the soil to the food
chain that has affected its levels in donors from these areas under study. The results of this study are compared with
values previously reported for subjects studied in other populations.
r 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Molybdenum; Blood; Trace elements; Biomonitoring
Introduction
The transition element molybdenum exists in ve
oxidation states (IIVI), the predominant states are
Mo(IV) and Mo(VI). Within this risk assessment, the
word molybdenum refers to ionic molybdenum except
where the specic compound is stated. Molybdenum
does not exist naturally in the metallic state, but occurs
in association with other elements. The predominant
form of molybdenum occurring in soil and natural
waters is the molybdate anion, MoO2
4 .
Corresponding author.
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of sultes to sulfates, and those intolerant to intravenous sulfur containing amino acids. Molybdenum
poisoning is virtually unknown [1,2]. Excessive dietary
intake of grains, seeds, and legumes rich in molybdenum
can cause deposits in soft tissues and joints, and trigger
arthritic symptoms. Other symptoms include gout,
severe diarrhea, growth depression, and anemia (typical
symptoms of copper deciency) [1,2]. Also, molybdenum is important for uric acid metabolism [5].
Absorption of molybdenum varies over a wide range
(2593%). Reports suggest that soluble molybdenum
compounds are readily absorbed [6], whilst insoluble
compounds are not. It is recognized that molybdenum
interacts with copper and sulfates in living organisms,
but the mechanism of this interaction has not been
elucidated. The presence of dietary copper and sulfate
affects the amount of molybdenum absorbed and
retained by the body. In addition, molybdenum is
present in the diet and body in small quantities and has
been difcult to measure. The basis of the importance of
molybdenum is in its role. Molybdenum is readily and
rapidly absorbed from most diets and inorganic forms
of the element [7]. Molybdenum is available in food
supplements at levels up to 0.33 mg and licensed
medicines. The latter are used (maximum daily dose
0.25 mg) to treat patients with malabsorption states
and conditions leading to hypoproteinaemia and in
perioperative nutritional support [1]. Most natural
waters contain low levels of molybdenum. The WHO
recommends a maximum level of molybdenum in
drinking water of 0.07 mg L1 and notes that concentrations of molybdenum in drinking water are typically
less than 0.01 mg L1 [8]. However, in areas near
mining sites, molybdenum concentrations up to
0.2 mg L1 have been reported. The minimum dietary
requirements for molybdenum compatible with satisfactory growth and health cannot be given in even
approximate terms for any animal species, including
man, nor has Mo deciency been observed under
natural conditions with any species. The exact human
Mo requirements are unknown and the results of shortterm balance studies with this element are not very
informative because of the widely varying amounts of
Mo involved. The WHO [8] estimated a daily requirement for molybdenum of between 0.1 and 0.3 mg/day
for adults.
Molybdenum deciency has not been identied in
free-living human or animal species. It has, however,
been identied in a single subject receiving total
parenteral nutrition and can be achieved in animal
studies. In goats, a molybdenum decient diet was
associated with reduced fertility and increased mortality
in both the mothers and the offspring. In a rare inherited
metabolic disorder, molybdenum deciency is associated
with genetic deciency of the molybdenum pterin
cofactors. Neurological disorders, abnormal urinary
179
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Parameter
Value
M+F
n
Mean Mo concentration /mg L1
SD
CV
Minimum value/mg L1
Maximum value/mg L1
418
2.66
0.66
24.80
1.20
4.80
n
Mean Mo concentration /mg L1
SD
CV
Minimum value/mg L1
Maximum value/mg L1
244
2.57
0.52
15.32
1.20
4.80
n
Mean Mo concentration /mg L1
SD
CV
Minimum value/mg L1
Maximum value/mg L1
174
2.54
0.51
17.12
1.40
4.20
Statistical analysis
Summary statistic (n, mean, standard deviation (SD),
minimum and maximum values of variables, correlation
analysis based on Pearson correlation coefcient,
correlation coefcients were calculated. The changes to
determine the signicance difference between groups
were analyzed using Students t-test [21]. Because the
distribution of data in some population groups was
slightly skewed, analyses using these variables were
also done after logarithmic transformation, but the
results were essentially unchanged. The relationship
between variables (age, sex and height above the sea
level of each place) was assessed by using backward
stepwise-multiple-regression
analyses.
Statistical
analysis was performed with STATISTIX 7.0 for
Windows. To adequately interpret the differences
within the dened groups, the statistical signicance
was accepted for a condence level of 95% of pp0.05
[21].
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3.5
[Mo] / gL
-1
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
F
Table 2.
181
Place
Sexa
Mucuchies
2983
M
F
M+F
Bailadores
1900
Timotes
nb
Mean7SD
Range
17
9
26
1.8470.34
1.9370.31
1.8870.33
1.422.40
1.502.40
1.422.40
M
F
M+F
20
10
30
1.5770.22
1.6670.18
1.6070.21
1.202.01
1.412.00
1.202.01
1994
M
F
M+F
18
16
34
2.4270.71
2.3670.57
2.3970.63
1.503.31
1.503.20
1.503.31
952
M
F
M+F
16
15
31
2.8070.45
2.7170.44
2.7670.44
1.923.40
1.833.24
1.833.40
1603
M
F
M+F
77
37
114
2.9070.67
2.9570.68
2.8470.50
2.114.80
2.204.21
2.114.80
150
M
F
M+F
27
21
48
2.8370.57
2.7870.45
2.8170.52
1.944.10
1.933.71
1.934.10
1100
M
F
M+F
21
21
42
2.6870.33
2.6470.33
2.6670.33
2.133.14
2.023.20
2.023.20
Zea
910
M
F
M+F
20
19
39
3.1770.65
2.9470.57
3.0670.62
2.424.20
2.324.00
2.324.20
Santa Cruz
622
M
F
M+F
28
26
54
2.9670.60
2.9470.51
2.8770.56
2.244.00
2.134.10
2.134.10
Tovar
Merida city
El Vigia
Lagunillas
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F
3.0
[Mo] / gL-1
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
0
500
1000
1500
2000
Height above the sea level / m
2500
3.0
3000
[Mo] / gL-1
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
0
500
1000
1500
2000
Height above the sea level / m
2500
3000
Fig. 2. Mean concentration of molybdenum of subjects from places located at different height above the sea level (M males and
F females).
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by FONACIT (Fondo
Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnolog a e Innovacion), Venezuela. Proyect S1-2000000449.
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