Determination of Lithium in Human Serum by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract An efficient method was developed for the determination of nanogram levels of lithium in biological samples. Serum samples from human subjects from southeastern Spain, treated or not treated with lithium carbonate, were analyzed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were previously treated with a matrix modifier consisting of 0.1%Triton X-100 and injected through a graphite tube with L'vov platform. The Li concentrations measured by the procedure described for the 3 certified reference samples used were not significantly different (p > 0.05) than certified levels. Sample recoveries and variability during several days, with coefficients of variation from 4.00 to 14.8%, demonstrated the reliability and accuracy of this technique. Mean Li concentration determined in the serum of individuals with psychiatric disorders treated with Li (n = 117, 5.077 ± 1.795 μg Li/mL) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that in individuals not treated with Li (n = 24, 1.902 ± 2.054 ng Li/mL).

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Simultaneous multi-element determination of hydride-forming elements by “in-atomiser trapping” electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry on an iridium-coated graphite tube

Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry ◽

10.1039/a904468j ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 14 (10) ◽

pp. 1593-1600 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

James Murphy ◽

Gerhard Schlemmer ◽

Ian L. Shuttler ◽

Phil Jones ◽

Steve J. Hill

Keyword(s):

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Atomic Absorption ◽

Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Graphite Tube ◽

Element Determination

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Measurement of strontium in serum, urine, bone, and soft tissues by Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1093/clinchem/43.1.121 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 121-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Patrick C D’Haese ◽

Glen F Van Landeghem ◽

Ludwig V Lamberts ◽

Vera A Bekaert ◽

Iris Schrooten ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Renal Failure ◽

Chronic Renal Failure ◽

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Atomic Absorption ◽

Soft Tissues ◽

Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

Triton X

Abstract To study the possible accumulation of Sr in chronic renal failure patients, methods were developed for the determination of the element in serum, urine, bone, and soft tissues by using Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry. Serum samples were diluted 1:4 with a Triton X-100–HNO3 mixture, whereas urine samples were diluted 1:20 with HNO3. Bone samples were digested with concentrated HNO3 in stoppered polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®) tubes, whereas soft tissues were dissolved in a tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution in water. For serum and urine we used matrix-matched calibration curves, whereas bone and tissue samples were measured against aqueous calibrators. Atomization was performed from the wall of pyrolytically coated graphite tubes for all of the matrices under study. Both inter- and intraassay CVs were <6% (n = 12, n = 10, respectively), and the recovery of added analyte was close to 100% for all of the biological matrices under study. Detection limits were 1.2 μg/L (serum), 0.3 μg/L (urine), 0.4 μg/g (bone), and 2.2 ng/g (soft tissues), whereas the sensitivity determined by the slope of the calibration curve, i.e., the amount of Sr producing a 0.0044 integrated absorbance change in signal, was 2.4 pg, 2.4 pg, 3.9 pg, and 2.6 pg for these matrices respectively. We conclude that the present methods are precise and accurate and easily applicable for both routine use and research investigations. They will allow us to study the metabolism of the element in chronic renal failure patients and shed some light on the association that was recently noted between increased bone Sr concentrations and the development of osteomalacia in these individuals.

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