Zinc and copper concentration in plasma and erythrocytes of patients with chronic renal failure.

Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations were studied in plasma and erythrocytes in patients with chronic renal failure that were on hemo or peritoneal dialysis together with the effect of dialysis treatment on these element concentrations. Plasma Zn was found to be significantly reduced in both groups of patients. On the other hand, erythrocyte zinc levels were higher. This considered more as a metabolic adaptation than as a pathological fact. Plasma Cu increase was observed in hemodialysis patients; however in the group on peritoneal dialysis it was found to be normal. Dialysis did not alter significantly plasma levels in any of these two elements; on the contrary, Zn and Cu levels were decreased in erythrocytes. Ceruloplasmin increased with hemodialysis and decreased with peritoneal dialysis possible due to protein loss resulting in this procedure.