TRACE-METAL ANALYSIS IN THE AORTA WITH AND WITHOUT ATHEROSCLEROTIC LESIONS

Trace metal analysis has been carried out in 32 human aortic tissues ( autopsy) of with (n = 16) and without atherosclerotic lesions (n = 16) . The tissue concentrations of zinc, copper and manganese was estimate d in atomic absorption spectrophotometer, High concentration of zinc w as observed in atherosclerotic lesions tissue, Low copper and manganes e concentration was also observed in atherosclerotic lesions tissue. T he mean +/- SD levels of zinc, copper and manganese of with atheroscle rotic lesions and without atherosclerotic lesions are 67.2 +/- 25.5, 3 .14 +/- 2.05 and 0.35 +/- 0.24 mu g/g and 58.4 +/- 40, 4.22 +/- 4.27 a nd 0.68 +/- 0.5 mu g/g wet tissue, respectively. Thus, it has been hyp othesized that low copper and manganese in the tissue of lesions seem to be a shift of these minerals into the serum, The high concentration of zinc in the tissue of lesions shows the prevalence of deficiency o f zinc in atherosclerosis.