title: Chemometric methods applied to an ICP-AES study of chemical element distributions in autopsy livers from subjects affected by Wilson and beta-thalassemia.
abstract: The concentrations of seven elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, P, S and Zn) in three autopsy livers (from two beta-thalassemic patients and one Wilson's disease patient) were determined by ICP-AES technique. At autopsy the three livers were subdivided into a large number of samples for a detailed study of the distribution of Fe and Cu, the accumulation of which characterizes the two diseases. In the same samples Ca, Mg, P, S and Zn concentrations were also determined in order to study significant variations or anomalous trends that could help identify these diseases. Our results generally show a good coincidence with literature data within the limits of sample variability. Based on Factor Analysis as well as Regression Analysis there is evidence of a high correlation between Fe and P contents in beta-thalassemia. The latter finding led us to propose tentatively an accumulation of Fe as a complex with P-containing molecules.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie Inorganiche e Metallorganiche, Università di Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Aragoni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Crisponi
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Nurchi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silvagni
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sciot
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ambu
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004602:Elements; D006527:Hepatolenticular Degeneration / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004602:Elements; D010758:Phosphorus; D013455:Sulfur; D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium