Copper and Zinc Determination in Plasma and Corpuscular Components of Peripheral Blood of Patients with Preterminal and Terminal Renal Failure

Abstract

Homeostasis of trace elements is an essential condition for the activation and regulation of metabolic processes. Its disturbance results in clinical symptoms. Since most trace elements are eliminated via the renal system, their balance is disturbed in patients with preterminal or terminal renal insufficiency. However, only a low percentage of trace elements can be detected in plasma, so that the intracellular determination of trace elements in corpuscular components in peripheral blood cells might be of interest. After blood was taken from the shunt vessel, the cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation media. The concentrations of the trace elements copper and zinc in peripheral blood cells and plasma were determined by means of electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Compared with healthy blood donors, in patients with preterminal and terminal renal insufficiency concentrations in plasma and peripheral blood cells were altered but in different directions. In renal insufficiency copper concentration in plasma (median: 13.9 mumol/l) and erythrocytes (median: 0.8 mumol/ 10(9) cells) was normal and in the lower reference range, respectively, whereas copper concentration in the platelets was elevated (median of 20 mumol/1 10(9) cells). As regards zinc, patients with preterminal and terminal renal insufficiency both suffered from low values in plasma (median: 8.6 mumol/l). In contrast, the concentration in erythrocytes and thrombocytes was elevated (medians: 17.9 mumol/10(9) cells and 14.0 mumol/10(9) cells, respectively)). In conclusion, the intracellular determination of the trace elements copper and zinc is of value for diagnosis and monitoring of the trace element deficiency status.