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Comparative Evaluation of Trace Metals in the Blood of Hepatitis C Patients and Healthy Donors

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Abstract

Hepatitis C is one of the common types of chronic liver disease, and its plausible association with trace metal imbalance has been investigated in the present study. The blood samples of hepatitis C patients and healthy donors were analysed for trace metals (Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, and Zn) by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry after wet acid digestion. In the blood of the hepatitis patients, mean concentrations of essential metals, Na, K, Fe, Ca, Mg, and Zn, were 918.7, 361.0, 102.5, 20.00, 24.66, and 9.429 ppm, respectively, while the mean metal levels in the blood of healthy donors were 1509, 406.8, 232.5, 28.35, 24.59, and 8.799 ppm, respectively. On the average, Cr was significantly higher, while Na, Fe, Ca, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Cd were comparatively lower in the blood of the patients. The correlation study manifested significantly divergent mutual relationships of trace metals in the blood of the patients and healthy donors. Multivariate statistical methods revealed considerably diverse distribution of trace metals in the two groups. Dissimilarity in the trace metal distribution was also noted with the gender and residential location of the donors in both groups.

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Acknowledgments

The research fellowship awarded by Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad to carry out this project is thankfully acknowledged. We are also grateful to the administration of Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi and Capital Development Authority Hospital, Islamabad, for their invaluable help during the hair sampling.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan

    Mehwish Saghir, Nazia Shaheen & Munir H. Shah

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  1. Mehwish Saghir
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  2. Nazia Shaheen
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  3. Munir H. Shah
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Correspondence to Munir H. Shah.

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Saghir, M., Shaheen, N. & Shah, M.H. Comparative Evaluation of Trace Metals in the Blood of Hepatitis C Patients and Healthy Donors. Biol Trace Elem Res 143, 751–763 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8930-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8930-8

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