Evaluation of chromium, cobalt and manganese in biological samples (scalp hair, blood, and urine) of Pakistani viral hepatitis (A-E) patients and controls.

Background: The aim of the present study was to compare the level of chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), and manganese (Mn) in biological samples (blood, urine, and scalp hair) of patients suffering from different types of viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E; n = 521) of both genders, ages ranging from 31 - 45 years. For comparative study, 255 age-matched control subjects of both genders residing in the same city were selected as referents.

Methods: The digests of all biological samples were analysed for Cr, Co, and Mn by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The validity and accuracy of the methodology was checked by using certified reference materials (CRMs) and compared with those values obtained by conventional wet acid digestion method on same CRMs.

Results: The results of this study showed that the mean values of Cr, Co, and Mn were higher in blood and scalp hair samples of hepatitis patients than in age-matched control subjects. The urinary levels of these elements were found to be higher in the hepatitis patients than in the age-matched healthy controls (p <0.001).

Conclusions: These results are consistent with literature-reported data, confirming that the overload of these trace elements can directly cause lipid peroxidation and eventually hepatic damage.