Abstract
Speciation affects the bioavailability and toxicity of elements and so is important in toxicology and nutrition. Exploitation of speciation profiles in medical management is widely unexplored. Isotopic speciation in the body can also offer clues to sources of exposure. The redox state of some elements determines toxicity and affects transport across biological barriers. Distinguishing inorganic from organometallic forms of Hg, Pb, and Sn is important to assess exposure to the more toxic organometallic species, whereas the organic forms of the metalloids As and Se reflect metabolism and detoxification. Special questions of speciation arise in therapeutic metal chelation and the use of metal-based drugs, contrast, and imaging agents. Essential elements in blood plasma are distributed among one or more macromolecular species, with generally a small low molecular mass fraction that is difficult to define because of the complex composition of the biological fluid, including amino and other organic acids, and thiols. Albumin and/or transferrin dominate the macromolecular species of many essential and non-essential elements.
Published Version
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