Analysis of human blood and liver tissue for copper,zinc and iron by the method of proton-induced X-ray emission analysis

The method of proton-induced X-ray emission (or PIXE) analysis has been investigated with reference to the study of minor and trace elements in biological tissue. Methods of specimen preparation have been investigated, and optimum instrumental conditions arrived at. The lower limits of detection for lead and zinc in blood have been investigated and have been found to be approximately 0.3 and 0.1 ppm for lead and zinc respectively, for a proton energy of 2.5 MeV. The concentrations of copper, zinc and iron have been studied in normal and diseased human liver tissue. In cirrhotic tissue the copper levels are substantially raised. We note also a diminution in liver iron in a case of alcoholic cirrhosis associated with clinical anaemia; and a blood zinc deficiency in primary biliary cirrhosis. The results are discussed in relation to existing work.