Analysis of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Hg and Mn in kidneys and liver from human cadavers – A case study in South Western Nigeria

Abstract

In this study, autopsy tissue samples from human liver and kidneys were analysed for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Hg and Mn in 25 subjects (16 males and 9 females) ranging in age from 2 to 70 years. Tissue samples that were pathologically normal were obtained at postmortem and concentrations of metals were determined. In both kidneys and liver, the concentrations of metals followed the order Cd > Hg > Pb > Zn > Mn > Cu irrespective of gender and age group, except in female kidneys where the order was Cd > Pb > Hg > Zn > Mn > Cu. Generally, males had higher concentrations of metals in both the kidneys and liver. Significant correlations of the metals were found in kidney and liver tissues.

Keywords:

• kidney
• liver
• heavy metals

Acknowledgement

The approval granted to us by the Ethical Committee of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex Ile-Ife to conduct this study is gratefully acknowledged.