plasma levels of sodium, potassium and calcium on alcoholic Sudanese subjects

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the concentration of sodium, potassium and calcium in the plasma of alcoholic individuals by reference to non-alcoholic individuals. Blood plasma sodium, potassium and calcium levels were studied on 30 chronic alcoholic Sudanese patients compared with 15 non alcoholic subjects as control group. Plasma concentration of sodium and potassium were analyzed using flame photometer methods whereas plasma calcium was analyzed using colorimetric methods. The mean values of plasma sodium, potassium and calcium in the alcoholic individuals were 132.6 mmol/L, 3.4 mmol/L, and 8.5 m/dl respectively, while it was 134.9 mmol/L/ 3.8 mmol/L, and 9.9 mg/dl in non-alcoholic individuals. Which indicate no significant decrease in these plasma electrolytes. Our data shows that, hyponatremia, hypkalemia and hypcalcemia are not common among alcoholics