The aim of the study is to determine the levels of toxic metals (cadmium and lead) and trace elements (zinc and copper) in the liver tissues of autopsy cases in Ankara and to evaluate the statistical relationship of these metals with subjects physical properties, smoking status, occupational exposure and environmental factors. Results are expected to establish the average burden of involved metals in liver tissue of Turkish population. Hepatic trace elements and toxic metal levels were assessed in 119 autopsy cases. Digestion procedure for liver tissues was carried out using a Mars Xpress microwave system (CEM, Matthews, USA) with PTFE microwave digestion vessels. Lead and cadmium were analyzed by Graphite Furnace Atomic Spectrometry; copper and zinc were analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Average liver levels of metals and trace elements were found 29.5 µg/g, 216 µg/g, 0.39 µg/g and 4.38 µg/g dry weight for copper, zinc, lead and cadmium, respectively. Copper and lead levels were found higher in men. There was a significant decrease in copper levels with age. Lead levels in city dwellers were significantly higher and there was no correlation between metal levels and occupations of the individuals. Significant increase in copper, lead and cadmium were observed in smokers liver tissues. All metal levels were compared with each other and positive correlation was found between zinc-copper, lead-zinc and copper-zinc levels (p˂0.01). In Turkey, it is the first study which gives liver tissue levels of trace elements and heavy metals of autopsy samples in a city which has a median-scale industrial development.
Key words: Liver tissue, Autopsy, Copper, Zinc, Lead, Cadmium, Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS),
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