An Application of Neutron Activation Analysis to Biological Materials. III. Natural Abundance of Small and Micro Amounts of Elements and Their Interactions in Human Tissues

Abstract

The natural abundance of the principal inorganic elements in five human tissues (brain, kidney, lung, liver, and heart) have been determined by neutron activation analysis. Cl, K, and Mn are equally distributed in all tissues. The highest concentration of Sc(0.22±0.044 ppm) is found in the liver. V(0.64±0.51 ppm) and Cr(0.19±0.11 ppm) concentrations in the lung are significantly higher than in other tissues at a 95% confidence level. The lowest concentration of Br(2.7±1.8 ppm) is found in the brain. The highest concentration of Cd(74±11 ppm) appears in the kidney and differs significantly from that in other tissues. Significant correlations appear to exist between many pairs of elements in the kidney and the lung, whereas there are relatively few in the liver. The normal significant correlations between Na, Cl, K, Sc, Zn, Se, Cd, and other elements are given.