Concentration Homeostasis and Elements in Hair and Dried Serum Observed by X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis Using Synchrotron Radiation
July 2014
in “
Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology
”
New to calcium? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This study suggests that hair analysis could serve as a diagnostic tool for detecting calcium channel activity, which influences hair calcium levels and may indicate calcium deficiency or related disease states. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study used X-ray fluorescence analysis to evaluate elemental concentrations in hair and dried serum, focusing on calcium (Ca) and other elements like Cl, K, S, and P. It involved 10 subjects (5 males and 5 females) who underwent Ca supplementation, and 50 females aged 30-80 for hair analysis. The research found that hair concentrations of elements have two distinct levels, linked to the gating and closing of ion channels in cell membranes. The normal lower level of hair calcium ([Ca]\(_H\)) is half of the dried serum calcium, while a higher level indicates calcium deficiency or disease states. Prolonged deficiency leads to increased hair [Ca]\(_H\) due to Ca channel closing. The study suggested that hair analysis could serve as a diagnostic tool for assessing cell ion channel function and related health conditions.
