[The serum concentration of trace elements in chronic kidney failure]

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Clinical Chemistry
• Trace Element Analysis

Background:

• Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with various metabolic disturbances.
• Oligoelement and magnesium imbalances are frequently observed in patients with kidney disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate serum levels of copper, zinc, selenium, and magnesium in patients with chronic renal failure.
• To determine the relationship between these element levels and the degree of renal function impairment.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from 37 CRF patients and 345 healthy controls were analyzed.
• Flame and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry were used for elemental analysis.

Main Results:

• Significantly lower serum concentrations of zinc (p<0.01), selenium (p<0.001), and magnesium (p<0.05) were found in CRF patients.
• Serum copper concentrations were significantly elevated in CRF patients.
• Elevated serum copper levels showed a positive correlation with the degree of impaired excretory renal function.
• The observed changes in zinc, selenium, and magnesium were not directly related to the severity of renal failure.

Conclusions:

• Patients with chronic renal failure exhibit distinct alterations in serum trace element and magnesium profiles.
• Elevated serum copper, potentially linked to renal function, warrants further investigation.
• The pathogenetic mechanisms underlying these elemental imbalances in CRF require further exploration.