Showing 2 results for Tavakol
Kiomars Sharafi, Samaneh Nakhaee, Borhan Mansouri, Bahareh Rahami, Alireza Amirabadizadeh, Kamran Tavakol,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (January 2025)
Abstract
Background: Opium consumption and its adverse effects are believed to be a major public health problem particularly in Iran, Afghanistan and other nations in the Middle East. Exposure to toxic heavy metals has increased in people who are addicted to opium due to its contamination with various toxic heavy metals. This study aimed to investigate the levels of trace elements in the sera of opium users versus nonuser individuals.
Methods: This cross sectional study compared a group of individuals with a history of opium use (n=54) with a group of non-opium users (n=70). We determined the serum levels of select toxic and essential elements, such as lead, mercury, thallium, nickel, chromium, cobalt, and copper, using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP).
Results: The serum levels of lead, chromium, mercury and copper were significantly higher in opium users compared to non-users. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were applied for the apportionment and source identification of the metals in the serum samples of the two groups.
Conclusions: The study findings indicated that opium addiction adversely impacted the serum levels of the heavy metals and some essential elements in the addicts. The findings suggest the necessity for the assessment of heavy metals and trace elements in substance abusers. It might also be helpful in drawing strategies toward the prevention and treatment approaches by assessing various toxic elements in biological samples of opium dependents.
Amir Shiani, Borhan Mansouri, Amir Kiani, Tooraj Massahi, Abdullah Khalid Omer, Kiomars Sharafi, Kamran Tavakol,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (January 2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Exposure to toxic compounds is a significant risk factor for developmental language disorder (DLD) in children. This review article aims to evaluate and discuss the impact of major toxic compounds, such as phthalates, heavy metals, alcohol, smoking, and substance abuse on DLD.
Methods: In this review, we analyzed research data from studies conducted between 1990 and 2024. We searched relevant MeSH terms in international databases, resulting in the identification of 312 articles. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 42 articles were selected for analysis.
Results: The evaluated toxic compounds were found to affect children with DLD. Two main routes of children's exposure to toxic compounds were identified: indirect exposure through mothers during pregnancy and direct exposure through other babies after birth. It was observed that essential metals for the body's metabolism, such as zinc and selenium, have inverse relationships with DLD, unlike toxic metals.
Conclusions: To minimize DLD risks, it is crucial to reduce children’s exposure to toxic compounds. It is recommended to measure levels of toxic compounds in pregnant mothers' blood during the last trimester and again at six months after the babies' birth. Cases with high levels of toxic compounds should be followed by clinical and laboratory examinations to minimize or prevent language development delays in children.
