Biochemical Analysis of Inorganic Ions in Normal and Hepatitis C Patients

Role of Trace Elements in Hepatitis C Patients

  • Fahad Ali Department of Pharmacology, Lahore Medical and Dental College, Ghurki Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan :
  • Iram Khan School of Chemistry, University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Sidra Amer Department of Chemistry, Government Queen Mary Graduate College, University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Aleena Mohsin Department of Chemistry, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Maria Fawad Department of Chemistry, Government Queen Mary Graduate College, University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Maha Qasim Department of Chemistry, Government Queen Mary Graduate College, University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan :
  • Aneeza Saleem Department of Chemistry, Government Queen Mary Graduate College, University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Kanwal Fatima Department of Chemistry, Government Queen Mary Graduate College, University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Keywords: adsorption, trace elements, hepatitis, iron, copper, lead

Abstract

Trace elements are crucial for human metabolism, primarily processed in the liver. Liver diseases can alter their levels, especially during viral infections like Hepatitis C (HCV). HCV can lead to chronic liver problems. The blood samples were collected in ‘gel and clot activator’ tubes, allowed to clot and the serum was separated. Nitric acid was added to the serum to coagulate proteins and the samples were heated for one day at 150 °C for protein digestion. The pH was adjusted to 7 using ammonium hydroxide. Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), researchers found that HCV patients had higher levels of iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co) and copper (Cu) but lower levels of zinc (Zn) compared to healthy individuals.

 

 

Published
2025-10-23
Issue
Vol 68 No 3 (2025): Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research Series A: Physical Sciences
Section
Articles