| Abstract: |
With the present study, we intend to verify the utility of hair as diagnostic tool for trace element analysis, to substitute, perhaps conventional materials, such as blood serum. Blood and hair were collected from male individuals (n = 107) aged 20-59 y. Determinations of Cu and Zn concentrations were performed with atomic absorption spectrometry. An influence of age on Zn in hair has been found, with significantly different values before and after age 30 y. There is no correlation between Cu concentrations in hair and in serum, and a positive one (r = 0.3554, p < 0.05) between Zn levels in hair and in serum. No association between Zn and Cu levels in hair has been demonstrated
on the contrary, these elements have a moderate positive correlation in serum (r = 0.3586, p < 0.01). The data indicate that hair may represent an additional analytical material for Cu and Zn to complement blood serum. pg 148 It is known that trace elements, evenif occurring in the body at concentrations less than 0.01% of body weight, have important effects on the functioning of living organisms. Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, I, Mo, Cr, Se are particularly recognized to be essential elements. Cu dificiency may be anemia and high levels of serum cholesterol Zn dificiency may be reduced growth, sexual immaturity, and lowering immunity. An excess of a trace elements may induce pathologic disorders
therefore, it is important to determine accurately trace element levels in human body.
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