THE DETERMINATION OF HEAVY-METALS IN HUMAN GALLSTONE BY ANODIC-STRIPPING VOLTAMMETRY

Anodic stripping voltammetry was applied to the analysis of the heavy metal content of human gallstones extracted surgically from patients c oming from the region of south-western Greece. The stones were analyze d for lead, copper and zinc. The results obtained did not show any cor relation of the analytical concentration of the heavy metals with the cholesterol or bilirubin content of the stones. Copper was found to be present in high concentrations while the mole fractions of cadmium an d lead in the stones showed a linear log-log relationship with the tot al heavy metal concentration. The simplicity of the instrumentation in volved, the extremely high sensitivity of the method and the high accu racy obtained make anodic stripping voltammetry a useful tool for the further investigation of the role of heavy metals in the pathogenesis of gallstones.