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

The serum copper, zinc, selenium and magnesium levels were studied in 37 patients with chronic renal failure of various degree. The examination of the oligoelements and magnesium was performed on flame and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Reference values from 345 clinically healthy persons were used in the interpretation of the results. The serum, zinc, selenium and magnesium concentrations are lowered and the differences are statistically significant (for zinc p less than 0.01, selenium--p less than 0.001, magnesium--p less than 0.05). These changes are not directly related to the degree of impairment of the excretory renal function. The serum copper concentrations are statistically significantly elevated and this correlates with the degree of impairment of the excretory renal function. The possible pathogenetic mechanisms of these changes are discussed.