Trace Element Abnormalities in Chronic Uremia

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Abstract
The elemental composition of [human] autopsy tissue samples was studied to characterize the trace element changes induced in various human tissues by uremia. Samples from the USA and Australia, including those from 120 uremic patients who were on dialysis, 29 uremic patients who were not on dialysis, and 64 control subjects, were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence. Tissues analyzed were aorta, bone, brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle and spleen; elements measured included K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn and U. Uremic abnormalities that were statistically very significant were found, including increases of Ca, Sr, Mo, Cd, and Sn and decreases of K and Rb. The distribution of Fe, Cu, and Zn are altered. Apparently, these abnormalities are primarily the result of the uremia and generally, they are neither greatly moderated nor exacerbated by the dialysis procedure.