Gradient centrifugation to isolate platelets for determination of trace elements by neutron-activation analysis.

A nonionic iodinated compound, Nycodenz, was used for density-gradient isolation of platelets before analysis for trace elements by instrumental neutron activation. The platelet samples were almost free from plasma and erythrocytes, and the trace element contribution from additives was insignificant for the elements investigated. The reproducibility of the trace element analysis in platelets attests to the usefulness of density-gradient separation. Platelet samples were obtained twice, three weeks apart, from 10 healthy young women (ages 24 +/- 2 years). The mean (SD) concentrations were as follows: Se, 0.62 (0.16) mg/L and 4.7 (1.4) ng/10(9) platelets; Zn, 44 (10) mg/L and 333 (80) ng/10(9) platelets; Rb, 3.0 (0.5) mg/L and 23 (5) ng/10(9) platelets; and Cs, 24 (5) micrograms/L and 0.18 (0.04) ng/10(9) platelets.