Arsenic, selenium, and zinc in patients with Blackfoot disease

Blackfoot disease is a peripheral vascular disease resulting in gangrene of the lower extremities. Extensive epidemiological study implicates that high arsenic content in artesian well water is the responsible causal factor of the disease. In the present study the concentrations of arsenic, selenium, and zinc in the body fluids and hair of patients with Blackfoot disease, in comparison to age- and sex-matched normal controls, are investigated. Two analytical techniques that include atomic absorption spectrometry and neutron activation analysis were used for the analysis of urine, serum, hair, and whole blood. The analytical results indicate that hair arsenic of the patients is significantly higher than that of the controls, but still below the critical value of 1 microgram/g. In addition, the patients showed significantly lower concentrations of Se and Zn in the urine and blood than the normal controls. The possible connection of these elements with the etiology of the disease is discussed.