X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry: applications in trace elements studies in human tissues from patients with cirrhosis

Abstract

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry was used for the quantitative analysis of healthy liver, brain and kidney tissues and the corresponding tissues from subjects suffering from liver cirrhosis. All samples were collected post-mortem and frozen until analysis. A sample of each tissue for the same individual was collected, in order to find any correlation between the elemental concentrations in the different tissues. Age, sex, cause of death and specific diseases were registered. All samples were studied without any chemical treatment. Concentrations of minor and trace elements in each tissue were obtained for 14 elements. Three groups of elements were considered. The first was K and Ca, present in relatively high concentrations in all tissues and known as normal constituents of all living matter. They are essential to cellular metabolism. The second group was Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb and Sr, which are also essential elements, but may induce toxic effects if present in high concentrations. There is a narrow range between beneficial and toxic concentrations for these elements. The third group was the toxic elements Co, Ni, As and Pb, which normally induce pathological disorders in the organism, even in small concentrations. This work is a contribution to the better understanding of trace element accumulation in human liver, kidney and brain and the possible correlation between abnormal concentrations of some elements in tissues of subjects suffering from cirrhosis. A very important factor is also the relative concentration of the elements with respect to one another and the correlation between the elemental content in the different tissues. Very low concentrations for Ni, As and Sr were found in the samples analysed, at the level of the detection limit. Higher concentrations of Co, Fe and Pb and lower values of Zn and Se were found in liver cirrhosis samples compared with healthy tissues. Brain samples from subjects affected with cirrhosis showed enhanced levels of Pb. In kidney, increased amounts of Zn were found in tissues from subjects with cirrhosis.

Trace elements determination by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) in human placenta and membrane: a comparative study

“…However, this explanation is not valid for membrane, because in this work it was proved that the elemental concentration in this tissue is independent of the sampling site. Ca deviations have already been observed by the authors in studies on brain samples [17].…”

X‐Ray Fluorescence in Forensic ScienceUpdate based on the original article by Claude Roux and Chris Lennard,Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry, © 2000, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

“…(84 -86) The determination of trace elements and their quantities in tissues has therefore proven to provide helpful information regarding dietary habits, environmental influence, possible intoxication, and diseases. (6,7,84,86,87) XRF with its capability to detect trace elements simultaneously at very low concentrations, straightforward sample preparation, and limited sample size required is particularly suitable for samples of human origin. (84) Hard tissues, i.e.…”

“…(6,7,84,86,87) XRF with its capability to detect trace elements simultaneously at very low concentrations, straightforward sample preparation, and limited sample size required is particularly suitable for samples of human origin. (84) Hard tissues, i.e. tooth and bone, have been indicated as dose monitors for human elemental exposure, i.e.…”

“…768 ± 246 μg g −1 Fe was found in a healthy liver tissue, while 1309 ± 370 μg g −1 was found in a cirrhotic liver tissue. (84) The analysis of hair and postmortem soft tissues by SXRF and XRF with triaxial geometry has proven to give indications regarding possible intoxication, e.g. the arsenic intoxication of Napoleon I or D. João VI, King of Portugal.…”

Trace elemental analysis of mitral valves by EDXRF

“…Carvalho et al [17] analyzed human teeth and bones from the chalcolithic period by X-ray spectrometry. Carvalho and Marques [18] reported quantitative analysis of healthy liver, brain and kidney tissues and the corresponding tissues from subjects suffering from liver cirrhosis.…”