Determination of total arsenic in serum and packed cellsof patients with renal insufficiency

In order to investigate the arsenic level in serum and packed cells of patients with renal insufficiency, total arsenic (As) concentrations were determined with hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) in serum (S) and packed cells (PC) of 31 non-dialyzed patients. The accuracy of the method was tested by the analysis of arsenic in 3 certified reference materials. Patients showed a three-fold increase of arsenic concentrations in serum and a two-fold increase of arsenic in packed cells compared with controls. Patients (n=10) with higher serum creatinine (>2.0 mg/dL), urea (>0.70 g/L) and urinary protein (mean ±SD: 1.12±0.82 g/L) showed higher arsenic concentrations (5.8±3.3 g/L in serum and 18.0±16.7 g/kg in packed cells) compared with those with lower creatinine (<1.6 mg/dL), urea (<0.6 g/L) and urinary protein (mean ±SD: 0.27±0.82 g/L) (n=16, serum arsenic 1.2±1.2 g/L, packed cells arsenic 2.6±1.9 g/kg). The significant differences (both p<0.001) in S and PC-arsenic levels of patients in group I and II implies a relationship between the arsenic level and the degree of chronic renal insufficiency.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Peter Brätter on the occasion of his 60th birthday