The application of affinity chromatography for quantitative determination of metallothionein in physiological fluids by an indirect method based on analysis of metal contents.

An indirect method, based on the analysis of metal contents, for the determination of metallothionein (MT) in body fluids is described. Affinity chromatography gel was used as a solid phase extraction (SPE) support for preconcentration of MT Proteins and metals bound to MT from spiked water and human urine samples. The results showed a good correlation between the concentration of MT proteins added to water or physiological human urine and the concentration of protein indirectly determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) recovered by the SPE-affinity chromatography technique and calculated from the metal concentration. The present method can be used in toxicological analysis for determination of MT concentration in physiological fluids in subjects exposed to heavy metals.