Neutron Activation Analysis of Trace Elements in Plasma from Normal Subjects and from Chronic Uraemic Patients

Trace concentrations of such elements as As, Au, Cu, Hg, Mo, Sb and Zn were determined in lyophilized human plasma from normal and chronic uraemic subjects by a neutron activation method. Irradiations were carried out for 24 to 120 h in the RS 1 pool reactor, at fluxes of about 1013 n/cm2s. Radiochemical procedures were developed to provide a sufficiently high decontamination from the prevailing activities induced in the matrix (24Na, 32P, 82Br), a good cross-decontamination for the activities to be counted, and quantitative chemical yields. Hg separations were carried out by a distillation method. Other elements were separated and purified by a simple, single-step column procedure allowing the successive trapping of each element in the same medium on selective beds, by a combination of different techniques (ion-exchange, isotopic exchange, reversed phase chromatography, reduction and precipitation reactions). The experimental technique is reported and discussed, and some results are given concerning plasma from both normal and uraemic subjects. (author)