title: Investigation of Alteration in the Levels of Iron and Copper in Scalp Hair Samples of Patients Having Different Types of Viral Hepatitis.
abstract: The aim of this study was to measure the alterations of copper and iron contents in scalp hair samples of hepatitis A-E patients of both genders, same age group, and socioeconomic status. For comparative study, the scalp hair samples of healthy individuals of the same age and socioeconomic status were collected. The concentrations of copper and iron were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, after microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of methodology was checked using a certified reference material. The results of this study showed that the mean values of copper and iron were higher in scalp hair samples of hepatitis patients than those of age-matched control subjects, while the difference was significant in the cases of patients having viral hepatitis B, C, and D as compared to those who have viral hepatitis A and E (p < 0.001). It was concluded that the overload of copper and iron in the human body may cause lipid peroxidation and eventually damage the hepatic system.
authors.affiliation: National Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, 76080, Pakistan, salma_arain67@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Salma Aslam
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Arain
authors.forename: Hassan Imran
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Afridi
authors.forename: Tasneem G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Kazi
authors.forename: Farah Naz
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Talpur
authors.forename: Faheem
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Sadaf Sadia
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Arain
authors.forename: Abdul Haleem
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Panhwar
authors.forename: Kapil Dev
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Brahman