EFFEC T OF HEMODI ALYSIS ON TRACE ELEMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE AND CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE

Hemodialysis is being implicated in the development of metabolic disturbances, as complications have been observed and the role of trace metals in their development has been questioned. In 78 renal failure patients who underwent hemodialysis, serum levels of zinc and copper were determined before and after first hemodialysis. Acute and chronic renal failure patients were found to have lower serum zinc levels before hemodialysis and higher levels after hemodialysis, while serum copper levels were found to be higher before hemodialysis and to increase further after hemodialysis. Disturbances in acid-base balance lead to acidosis which can alter the binding, transport and excretion of these elements. Dialysis fluid containing salts of trace elements may have also contributed to this alteration of trace element levels.