Raised serum nickel concentrations in chronic renal failure.

We have measured serum nickel concentrations using flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In 71 normals the median concentration was 1.0 micrograms/L, range less than 0.6-3.0 micrograms/L. Increased concentrations (p less than 0.05) were found in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) treated conservatively (median 1.6 micrograms/L, range less than 0.6-3.6 micrograms/L). Significantly increased concentrations (p less than 0.001) were found in patients treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) (median 8.6 micrograms/L, range 5.4-11.4 micrograms/L) and haemodialysis. In patients on haemodialysis, post-dialysis concentrations (median 8.8 micrograms/L, range 3.0-21.4 micrograms/L) were significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than pre-dialysis values (median 8.6 micrograms/L, range 0.6-16.6 micrograms/L).