ALUMINUM, ZINC AND COPPER CONCENTRATIONS IN PLASMA IN CHRONIC RENAL-INSUFFICIENCY

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 12  (1) , 18-21
Abstract
Plasma Al, Zn and Cu were determined in 68 patients with chronic renal insufficiency and in 20 healthy individuals. In the renal insufficiency group, 16 patients had received aluminium containing substances particularly phosphate binding drugs (aluminium hydroxide) for a long time. Only the patients taking aluminium hydroxide showed elevated Al levels in plasma (controls: 0.86 .+-. 0.27 .mu.mol/l; renal insufficiency: 3.05 .+-. 1.63 .mu.mol/l). In 2 of these patients with symptoms of dialysis dementia, plasma Al concentrations were markedly increased. The Zn concentrations in plasma of patients with renal insufficiency were slightly decreased (controls: 14.48 .+-. 2.65 .mu.mol/l; renal insufficiency: 11.77 .+-. 2.35 .mu.mol/l); the plasma Cu concentrations were slightly increased (controls: 17.3 .+-. 2.83 .mu.mol/l; renal insufficiency: 22.98 .+-. 4.7 .mu.mol/l). There was a distinct decrease of plasma Zn concentrations in patients with raised Al levels. The clinical aspects of these changes are discussed.