Determination of heavy metals in human liver

The levels of Cr (2.49 +/- 0.89 ppm), Mn (5.08 +/- 1.60 ppm), Ni (1.81 +/- 0.95 ppm) and Pb (4.43 +/- 3.12 ppm) were measured in dessicated liver from 44 cases of sudden traumatic death considered as representative of the general population in our area, after ruling out the presence of any underlying disease. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry and electrothermal atomization was carried out after hot, acid digestion, of the dessicated samples. After cancelling the influence of age and cause of death, a significant, positive correlation between Cr/Mn (P = 0.0009; R = 0.493) and Cr/Ni (P = 0.0245; R = 0.347) levels was found.