title: Multivariate statistical evaluation of trace metal levels in the blood of atherosclerosis patients in comparison with healthy subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Numerous epidemiological studies have suggested that metal exposure may promote the atherosclerosis disorder in humans.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study is carried out to assess the distribution, correlation and multivariate apportionment of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in the blood of atherosclerosis patients in comparison with healthy donors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The quantification of metals is done by atomic absorption spectrometry, after wet-acid digestion of the blood samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly higher concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron and manganese are found in the blood of atherosclerosis patients. The correlation study shows diverse relationships among the metals in blood of the patients and controls. Multivariate cluster analysis based on the metal levels in patients and controls reveals clearly separate grouping for the patients and healthy donors. Moreover, principal component analysis shows divergent grouping of the metals for the patients and healthy donors, which may be associated with the altered metabolism of the metals in atherosclerosis patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the distribution, correlation and multivariate apportionment of selected metals in atherosclerosis patients and healthy donors are significantly divergent. Hence, present findings suggest that the trace and redox metals accumulated in the body may pose a high risk for atherosclerosis development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Asim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ilyas
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Munir H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Shah
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Atomic spectroscopy; Clinical biochemistry; Medical science