Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

09:51
Standards for Quantitative Metalloproteomic Analysis Using Size Exclusion ICP-MS
Published on: April 13, 2016
Concentrations and correlations for eight metals in human liver
Guy E Griesmann1, Aeli C Hartmann, Fred F Farris
1Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
International Journal of Environmental Health Research
|April 10, 2009
Summary
This study measured eight metals in human livers, finding significant correlations between certain metal pairs like zinc-cadmium and iron-lead. Age was negatively correlated with copper levels in these human liver samples.
Area of Science:
- Human Toxicology
- Environmental Health
- Biometals Research
Background:
- Understanding metal accumulation in human organs is crucial for assessing health risks.
- Liver tissue is a key site for metal storage and detoxification.
- Previous research has explored metal concentrations, but inter-metal and age-related correlations require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify concentrations of eight essential and toxic metals in human liver tissue.
- To explore correlations among these metal concentrations.
- To investigate the relationship between metal levels and subject age.
Main Methods:
- Autopsy liver specimens from 32 adult males were analyzed.
- Concentrations of calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), magnesium (Mg), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were determined.
- Simple and multiple correlation analyses were performed on metal concentrations and subject age.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations were observed for zinc-cadmium, iron-lead, magnesium-mercury, and magnesium-zinc pairs.
- A negative correlation was found between age and copper levels.
- Multiple correlations indicated associations between magnesium with mercury and zinc, lead with iron and age, lead with iron and copper, and zinc with magnesium and cadmium.
Conclusions:
- The human liver exhibits complex interrelationships between various metal concentrations.
- Age influences copper levels, suggesting a potential biological or environmental interaction.
- Findings provide a basis for understanding metal homeostasis and toxicokinetics in the human liver.
Related Concept Videos
Extraction: Advanced Methods
Metal ions can be separated from one another by complexation with organic ligands–the chelating agent– to form uncharged chelates. Here, the chelating agent must contain hydrophobic groups and behave as a weak acid, losing a proton to bind with the metal. Since most organic ligands used in this process are insoluble or undergo oxidation in the aqueous phase, the chelating agent is initially added to the organic phase and extracted into the aqueous phase. The metal-ligand complex is formed in...
Metal-Ligand Bonds
The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
Liver Physiology
The liver, an essential organ in the human body, performs over 200 vital functions that can be broadly categorized into metabolic, hematological, endocrine regulation, and bile production.
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can also...
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can also...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...

