Concentrations and correlations for eight metals in human liver

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine concentrations for eight metals in human liver and investigate correlations among these metals as well as subject age. Autopsy specimens from 32 males, ranging from 38–88 years of age, were analyzed for calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), magnesium (Mg), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). Respective mean concentrations were 49.6, 2.1, 4.9, 318.7, 0.72, 135.2, 0.19, and 53.4 μg/g wet wt., and 209.2, 8.8, 20.6, 1342.2, 0.81, 569.4, 3.1 and 228.8 μg/g dry wt. Variables, including age and metal concentrations, were subjected to simple and multiple correlation analysis. Four metal pairs Zn-Cd, Fe-Pb, Mg-Hg, and Mg-Zn gave significant positive correlations. Age and Cu correlated negatively. Multiple correlations were found for Mg with Hg and Zn, Pb with Fe and age, Pb with Fe and Cu, and Zn with Mg and Cd. Results are discussed within the context of relevant literature.

Keywords:

• human
• liver
• metal concentrations
• metal correlations

Acknowledgements

Special thanks are extended to John Lundseth and Charles T. Eginton of the Veterans Administration Hospital, Fargo, ND, USA, for their cooperation and assistance in obtaining autopsy samples. This project was funded in part by Veterans Administration Grant MRIS 2193–01.