A High Accumulation of Hair Minerals in Mongolian People: 2nd Report; Influence of Manganese, Iron, Lead, Cadmium and Aluminum to Oxidative Stress, Parkinsonism and Arthritis

It was previously reported that the hair of Mongolian people showed very high accumulation of manganese (Mn), which may increase oxidative stress. This study (2nd report), indicated that not only Mn but other minerals had also accumulated at high levels in hair. It describes the influence of these minerals on oxidative stress, Parkinson's disease-like symptom (Parkinsonism) and arthritis, these diseases being prevalent in Mongolia. Methods: 299 subjects were enrolled (including 21; Parkinsonism and 25; arthritis) from Ulaanbaatar and 5 other areas in Mongolia. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring the level of urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). The minerals accumulated in scalp hair were measured by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method. As a control, 81 healthy Japanese subjects were enrolled. Results: Mongolian subjects showed high accumulated levels of Mn, iron, lead, cadmium and aluminum accumulations in hair, as compared with Japanese subjects. These levels were correlated with urinary 8-OHdG levels. The subjects with Parkinsonism and arthritis demonstrated higher levels in these minerals than healthy subjects. Conclusion: High accumulations of these minerals may increase oxidative stress in Mongolian people, and induce Parkinsonism and arthritis through the high oxidative stress. The high accumulations of these minerals may be induced by eating large amounts of sheep meat. In addition, sandy wind pollution may also contribute to it.