title: Evaluation of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium in biological samples of Pakistani viral hepatitis (A-E) patients and controls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to compare the level of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) in biological samples (serum, 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 ranged between 31-45 years. For comparative study, 255 age-matched subjects of both genders, residing in the same city, were selected as controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  The elements in the biological samples were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of the methodology was checked by using certified reference materials (CRMs) and values obtained by conventional wet acid digestion method on the same CRMs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of this study showed that the mean value of Na was higher in blood, sera, and scalp hair samples of hepatitis patients, while Ca, Mg and K levels were found to be lower than 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 < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results are consistent with data reported in literature, confirming that the deficiency of essential mineral elements and sodium overload can directly cause lipid peroxidation and eventually hepatic damage.
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. hassanimranafridi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Hassan Imran
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Afridi
authors.forename: Tasneem Gul
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Kazi
authors.forename: Naveed
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kazi
authors.forename: Ghulam Abbas
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Kandhro
authors.forename: Jameel Ahmed
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Baig
authors.forename: Abdul Qadir
authors.initials: AQ
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Sumaira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Nida Fatima
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Kolachi
authors.forename: Sham Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Wadhwa
authors.forename: Faheem
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis*; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
chemical_list: D012964:Sodium; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium