Estimation of Zinc Levels in Blood, Liver and Stomach Contents using ICP-AES: A Cross Sectional Autopsy Based Study
Journal Title: Journal of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology - Year 2019, Vol 5, Issue 1
Abstract
Zinc is an essential component of the body, but its excess quantity is harmful and long term intake above upper limits causes acute or chronic toxicity. Normal levels of zinc in serum is 75-120 µg/dL while in blood it is 1200 µg/dL. A study was conducted to determine the level of zinc in various biological samples from the medicolegal autopsies conducted at mortuary, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Biological samples were taken from 100 cases comprising of Blood, Liver & Stomach contents from each case. They were analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrophotometry (ICP-AES). The data obtained were analysed using various demographic profiles and treatment history to know prevalence & distribution of these metals in general population so as to help later in investigation of alleged deaths due to metal toxicity & metallic compounds poisoning. The result showed mean blood zinc levels were 14.21 μg/ ml (range 0-77.36 μg/ml), mean zinc levels in liver and stomach contents were 25.66 μg/g (range 0.72–127.03 μg/g) and 7.95 μg/ml (range 0–60.94 μg/ml) respectively. The data analysis on the basis of treatment history showed that mean zinc levels in blood, liver and stomach contents were higher in cases where treatment was not given i.e. 14.97 µg/ml, 15.25 µg/g and 8.18 µg/ml respectively.
Authors and Affiliations
Anita Yadav
Keywords
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- EP ID EP655657
- DOI 10.21088/jfct.2454.9363.5119.7
- Views 138
- Downloads 0
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