Copper, zinc, selenium, cadmium and lead levels in plasma of hemodialysis patients

ABSTRACT

Hemodialysis patients are at risk of developing trace elements imbalance and increase in heavy metals. The objective of this study was to asses plasma levels of copper, zinc, selenium, cadmium and lead of hemodialysis patients. The study comprised 40 patients aged 27-65 years under regular hemodialysis for 1.8-13 years and 28 healthy age and sex matched the control. Copper, zinc, selenium, cadmium and lead plasma levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Levels of copper, zinc and selenium were significantly decreased in dialysis patients compared with the control group; the percentage decrease was 25.5%, 20.4% and 19.0% for copper zinc and selenium, respectively. Moreover, cadmium and lead plasma levels showed significant increases among hemodialysis patients versus their matched controls with percentage of 144.6% and 28.1% for cadmium and lead, respectively. Levels of trace elements are altered and heavy metals showed increased plasma levels by hemodialysis. Regular monitoring of trace elements and heavy metals in hemodialytic patients is advisable