Erythrocyte, plasma, urine and dialysate zinc levels in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Abnormalities in zinc metabolism of patients with renal disease have been reported. However, accurate descriptions regarding zinc content in various biological compartments of a patient population on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) including a dietary zinc intake assessment, are lacking. This study measured zinc content of erythrocytes, plasma, urine and dialysate in patients on CAPD, non-dialyzed chronically azotemic patients and a control group. Zinc and protein intake, serum albumin, protein and creatinine were quantified. Zinc analysis of erythrocytes, plasma, urine and dialysate was performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with special emphasis on immediate and complete separation of erythrocytes from plasma. Zinc levels in erythrocytes of patients on dialysis were increased whereas plasma zinc was slightly decreased compared to normal controls (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that zinc in CAPD patients is distributed similarly to non-dialyzed azotemic patients and that CAPD does not alter zinc distribution in erythrocytes and plasma.