MS, University of Cincinnati, 2008, Medicine : Epidemiology (Environmental Health)

Relation between Dietary Manganese Intake and Biological Markers of Manganese ExposureAbstract Manganese is an essential trace element, yet can be toxic in excess. The inter- and intra- individual variations in manganese levels in different biological media make research difficult. This study examined the relationship between dietary Mn intake and blood Mn. Methods: Subjects were recruited through the Cincinnati Lead study cohort. The Youth/Adolescent Questionnaire was used to evaluate the dietary intake of manganese. Results: The mean manganese dietary intake was 3.25 mg±2.06 (SD). The mean blood manganese concentration was 0.8mg/dl±0.36 (SD). The Spearman rank correlation coefficient between dietary manganese intake and blood manganese was not significant (P value= 0.99). Conclusions: We found no correlation between dietary manganese intake and blood manganese. This is due to our small sample size and the use of the YAQ that has not been designed specifically to measure manganese. More studies are needed to better understand the effect of dietary manganese intake on blood manganese.

Committee: Erin Haynes Dr.P.H (Committee Chair); Paul Succop Ph.D (Committee Member); Tianying Wu M.D,Ph.D,Sc.M (Committee Member) Subjects: Epidemiology

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2008, Medicine : Environmental Health

Objective: To evaluate postural balance and biological markers of a population chronically exposed to low levels of ambient manganese(Mn). Methods: Hair and blood sampling and postural balance testing were performed on participants residing near a ferromanganese refinery. The relationship between blood and hair Mn measurements and postural balance was analyzed with logistic regression. Postural balance of residents was compared with control data by analysis of covariance. Results: A significant correlation between hair Mn and postural balance was seen in two test conditions. Blood Mn was not found to be significant. Five of eight postural balance measures were significantly larger when compared with controls. Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate a significant relationship between hair Mn and postural balance. The postural balance outcomes of our study suggest subclinical functional impairment of vestibular and proprioceptive pathways within this study population. These preliminary findings warrant a prospective study with a larger sample size.

Committee: Erin Haynes DrPH (Committee Chair); Amit Bhattacharya PhD (Committee Co-Chair); Paul Succop PhD (Committee Member); Amy Rohs MD, MS (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Science; Public Health