RT Journal Article
T1 Serum reference intervals for essential and toxic trace elements in a healthy population: A basis for nutritional monitoring and clinical intervention
A1 Rivas, Inés
A1 Miranda Castañón, Marta Inés
A1 Herrero Latorre, Carlos
A1 Monte Secades, Rafael
A1 López Alonso, María Marta
K1 Trace elements
K1 Reference intervals
K1 Serum
K1 Human population
K1 Galicia
AB Background & aimsTrace elements play a crucial role in human metabolism, and both deficiencies and toxic exposures can have significant clinical implications. This study aimed to establish clinically relevant reference intervals for essential and toxic trace elements in serum from a healthy adult population to support nutritional assessment and public health monitoring.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 501 healthy adults. Serum concentrations of essential [cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), iodine (I), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn)] and toxic [(arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni)] trace elements were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Reference intervals (2.5th–97.5th percentiles) were calculated following CLSI guidelines, and stratified analyses were performed based on sex and age.ResultsReference intervals were established for each element, revealing significant sex-related differences. Women exhibited higher serum concentrations of Co, Cu, Mo, Cd, and Hg, and lower Fe compared to men. Age-related differences were also observed for several elements, with distinct sex-specific trends particularly for Cu and Hg. While serum levels of most essential elements were within expected physiological ranges, Se concentrations were suboptimal in a considerable proportion of the population, suggesting potential nutritional inadequacy. Toxic element levels remained generally low, indicative of minimal environmental exposure.ConclusionsEssential trace element concentrations were generally adequate within the Northern Spain population, with the notable exception of Se, where a significant proportion exhibits low levels, suggesting a potential benefit from dietary supplementation or intervention. Toxic element concentrations were low corresponding to a basal level of environmental exposure; however, observed variations by age and sex highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring.
PB Elsevier
YR 2025
FD 2025-09-26
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43475
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43475
LA eng
NO Rivas, Inés,  Miranda, Marta, Herrero-Latorre, Carlos, Monte-Secades, Rafael, López-Alonso, Marta. Serum reference intervals for essential and toxic trace elements in a healthy population: A basis for nutritional monitoring and clinical intervention.  Clinical Nutrition ESPEN 70 (2025) 227–239. DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.09.031.
NO This research was carried out within the crowfounding precipita project PR295_Minerales contra el cancer- FECYT (2022-CP064), specific collaboration agreement between the municipalities of the province of Lugo (2022- CP172) and the Social Council of the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC) projects 2022 (2022-PU001). Marta Miranda and Marta López-Alonso belong to the “Grupo de Potencial Crecimiento” funded by GAIN (Axencia Galega de Innovación; grant number ED431B 2023/008). The authors thank all the citizens of the province of Lugo who voluntarily participated in the study. Authors thank for technical and human support provided by scientific-technical Units from Área de Infraestruturas de Investigación (Universidade de Santiago de Compostela). Open access funding provided by the USC.
DS Minerva
RD 27 abr 2026