Clinical studies on renal function and trace elements

: The serum trace elements aluminum (Al), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn), and creatinine clearance (Ccr) were measured in twenty normal volunteers and 40 patients; 5 patients had mild renal dysfunction, 10 patients had chronic renal failure 5 patients had uremia and 20 patients had been undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Serum Al, Cu, Zn, Ni and Mn were measured with a flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum Al levels increased with decrement of the Ccr value. The serum Al level was abnormally high in chronic hemodialysis patients. The serum Cu level in the patients was similar to that in the healthy subjects. Serum Zn, Ni and Mn levels decreased with the decrement of the creatinine clearance level. These results suggest that measurement of serum Al, Zn, Ni and Mn levels can be used as an indication of renal function clinically. In conclusion, serum Al, Zn, Ni and Mn levels are clinical indicators of renal function.