Essential trace metals in man: molybdenum

Journal Article · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1969 · J. Chronic Dis.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9681(70)90056-1· OSTI ID:6164950

Schroeder, H A; Balassa, J J; Tipton, I H

A survey of human exposures to molybdenum, a trace metal essential for almost all forms of life, was made by analyzing human tissues of 381 subjects from around the world by emission spectroscopy, and foods and beverages by a colorimetric method. Molybdenum was present in all human livers, kidneys and adrenals examined. Total body content of US subjects was less than 9 mg and most organs and tissues contained little. Unlike other essential trace metals, mean concentrations of molybdenum in liver and kidneys were relatively low in the newborn, rising to a peak in the second decade of life and declining slightly thereafter. Mean hepatic and renal concentrations of US and foreign subjects were similar, but the latter had more molybdenum and it occurred more frequently in other organs and tissues. Only a few correlations of molybdenum with other trace metals in tissues were significant. The daily intake of molybdenum in standard diets was about 350 ..mu..g. Fish and animal meats supplied variable amounts; legumes, whole grains and their products supplied the majority. Plant foods high in purines were usually high in molybdenum, whereas most vegetables had little or none. Molybdenum in wheat was depleted in refining to white flour; that in sugar was concentrated in molasses and syrups. Rats fed a diet low in molybdenum had higher serum uric acid levels than those given added molybdenum. There is evidence that dental cavities may be prevented by a high intake of molybdenum. It is possible that renal xanthine calculi may result from low intakes and that molybdenum may somehow be involved in disturbances of uric acid metabolism. 45 references.

• Research Organization: Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH
• OSTI ID: 6164950
• Journal Information: J. Chronic Dis.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Chronic Dis.; (United States) Vol. 23; ISSN JOCDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
560306 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ADRENAL GLANDS
AGE DEPENDENCE
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
AZAARENES
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BODY BURDEN
CEREALS
DATA
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FISH PRODUCTS
FOOD
GLANDS
GRASS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
INTAKE
KIDNEYS
LIVER
MAMMALS
MEAT
METALS
MOLYBDENUM
NUMERICAL DATA
ORAL CAVITY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PLANTS
PURINES
RATS
RODENTS
SEAFOOD
SEEDS
TEETH
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRACE AMOUNTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
URIC ACID
VEGETABLES
VERTEBRATES
XANTHINES