[Plasma zinc content in patients with chronic renal insufficiency before and after kidney transplantation].

Zinc content in blood plasma was measured in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) before and after kidney transplantation by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry. Plasma zinc was revealed to be lowered. However, routine intake of vitamin A by the patients led to an elevation in zinc content. Hemodialysis did not alter blood plasma zinc concentration. It was noted that during the postoperative period, the zinc level returned to normal. Patients with CRF show marked disturbances of taste sensitivity, which are manifested in the increased threshold of taste sensitivity and perversion of taste sensations.