DONATI’S LAB RESEARCH PROJECTS Applying ICP-MS for the Early Diagnosis of Osteoporosis

The determination of chemical imbalances typically present at the onset of some aggressive diseases may be used for early diagnosis, which could reduce mortality and contribute for more efficient treatments. An interesting approach for nutritional and toxicological studies is the determination of minerals in fingernails and toenails. The concentrations of certain elements in these samples can be significantly different in healthy or sick individuals, and some works have demonstrated the efficiency of using nails as biological markers. More often than not, these elemental concentration changes are very subtle, especially at the onset of diseases. Therefore, a sensitive method is required to detect such small changes and contribute to diseases diagnostics. In this project, we take advantage of ICP-MS’ high sensitivity to identify subtle changes in the body’s mineral balance caused by osteoporosis. In collaboration with our colleagues at the Wake Forest Medical School, and Dr. Keith Levine with the Research Triangle Institute, we determine and compare the levels of different elements in fingernails and toenails of healthy individuals and patients with osteoporosis. We look for elemental signatures that could represent a less expensive, noninvasive method to identify at-risk individuals during the initial phases of osteoporosis.