Assessment of trace elements in the scalp hair of hepatitis-C patients in comparison with healthy donors

作者：Saghir M; Shaheen N; Shah M H^*

来源：Trace Elements and Electrolytes, 2011, 28(4): 213-220.

DOI：10.5414/TEX01181

• AAS
• hepatitis
• multivariate analysis
• scalp hair
• trace element

Aim: The present study was conducted to investigate the distribution and mutual variations of trace elements (Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, and Zn) in the scalp hair of hepatitis-C patients in comparison with the healthy subjects. Methods: The scalp hair samples were solubilized in nitric acid and perchloric acid mixture, followed by the quantification of the trace elements on flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The metal data were then subjected to the detailed statistical analyses. Results: Average concentrations of Ca, Mg, Zn and Na were dominant in the scalp hair of both groups, although most of the trace elements exhibited higher dispersion and randomness in the patients. Mean levels of Cr, Fe, Cd, Mg and Cu were significantly higher and those of Zn and Mn were lower in the scalp hair of the patients (p < 0.05). The correlation study revealed considerable variations in the mutual relationships of trace elements in both groups. Principal component and cluster analyses exhibited diverse apportionment of trace elements in the scalp hair of the patients and controls. Some noteworthy disparities in the elemental contents (Cu, Zn, Mn and Li) were observed with the age of the donors. Conclusions: The distribution, correlation and apportionment of trace elements in the scalp hair of the patients were significantly different in comparison with healthy subjects. Multivariate methods may be used as diagnostic tools to differentiate among the patients and healthy population.

• 出版日期2011