Measurements of Copper in Biologic Materials by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

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Abstract
Atomic ab-sorption spectrometry was used for quantitative analyses of Cu in serum, urine, feces and tissues. The sensitivity of detection of Cu by atomic absorption (0. 08 ppm) was adequate for direct measurements of Cu in protein-free filtrates of serum. For determinations of Cu in urine and other biological materials, organic constituents were destroyed by acid digestion; Cu was converted to a pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate complex, and the complex was extracted into methyl isobutyl ketone. This extraction procedure enhanced the sensitivity of detection of Cu in urine, (0. 0005 ppm). Under the described conditions, analyses of Cu by atomic absorption spectrometry were free from interference by other elements. The coefficients of variation of replicate analyses of Cu in serum and urine were 1.4 and 4. 6 percent, respectively. Measurements of the recovery of Cu added to serum, urine, feces and liver averaged 101, 96, 94 and 94%, respectively. The concentrations of Cu in serums from 58 normal adult males averaged 119[mu] g per 100 ml (standard deviation = [plus or minus] 19) with a range from 70 to 165[mu] g per 100 ml. The concentrations of Cu in urine collections from 21 normal adult males averaged 1. 68[mu]g per 100 ml (standard deviation = [plus or minus] 0.70) with a range from 0. 61 to 3.03 [mu]g per 100 ml. The mean urinary excretion of Cu in these subjects was 18.4[mu]g per day (standard deviation = [plus or minus] 8.4) with a range from 7.5 to 33. 8[mu]g per day. The concentrations of Cu in serums of 2 male children with hepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson''s disease) were 7 and 17[mu]g per 100 ml, and the urinary excretions of Cu in these patients were 43 and 295[mu]g per day.

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