ALTERATION OF ZINC, COPPER AND MAGNESIUM IN SERUM OF UREMIC PATIENTS AND PERITONEAL DIALYSATE

In 11 uremic patients serum zinc, copper and magnesium were determined prior to and 3—6 months after starting intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD). The trace elements were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations of serum zinc and copper were raised significantly from the initial mean values of 9.36±2.498 μmol/L and 15.875±4.223 μmol/L prior to IPD to 12.102±2.514 μmol/L and 22.127 ±3.530 μmol/L respectively after IPD. While in normal controls serum zinc was 13.571±1.665 μmol/L and copper 15.830±4.113 μmol/L. Serum magnesium dropped from 2.127±0. 712 mmol/L to 1.921±0.378 mmol/L、but the change was not significant statistically; the value in normal controls was 1.300±0.128 mmol/L. When IPD had been well established and there was no sign of peritonitis, serum zinc, copper and magnesium were tested before and after the procedure of IPD in a single day at random, and at the same time the concentrations of these elements in the drained dialysate were also determined. The result showed that serum levels of zine, copper and magnesium remained unchanged before and after dialysis in a single day, however, those in the drained dialysate were raised from the initial values of 1.301±0.522 μmol/L, 0.9635±0.335 μmol/L and 1.168±0.411 mmol/L to 8.478±5.324 μmol/L, 5.715±1.868 μmol/L and 1.098±0.494 mmol/L.

ALTERATION OF ZINC, COPPER AND MAGNESIUM IN SERUM OF UREMIC PATIENTS AND PERITONEAL DIALYSATE