Optimization of a GF‑AAS method for lead testing in blood and urine: A useful tool in acute abdominal pain management in emergency

Tudosie,Mihail Silviu; Caragea,Genica; Popescu,Dragos Marian; Avram,Oana; Serban,Dragos; Smarandache,Catalin Gabriel; Tudor,Corneliu; Badiu,Cristinel Dumitru; Socea,Bogdan; Dan Sabau,Alexandru; Comandasu,Meda; Spataru,Radu; Costea,Daniel Ovidiu; Tanasescu,Ciprian; Dascalu,Ana Maria

doi:10.3892/etm.2021.10417

Optimization of a GF‑AAS method for lead testing in blood and urine: A useful tool in acute abdominal pain management in emergency

Authors:
- Mihail Silviu Tudosie
- Genica Caragea
- Dragos Marian Popescu
- Oana Avram
- Dragos Serban
- Catalin Gabriel Smarandache
- Corneliu Tudor
- Cristinel Dumitru Badiu
- Bogdan Socea
- Alexandru Dan Sabau
- Meda Comandasu
- Radu Spataru
- Daniel Ovidiu Costea
- Ciprian Tanasescu
- Ana Maria Dascalu
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Affiliations: Faculty of Medicine, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020011 Bucharest, Romania, Military Medical Research Center, 010919 Bucharest, Romania, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania, Fourth Surgery Department, Emergency University Hospital Bucharest, 050098 Bucharest, Romania, Third Department, Faculty of Medicine, ‘Lucian Blaga’ University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania, Faculty of Medicine, Ovidius University, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Published online on: July 13, 2021 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.10417
Article Number: 985

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Abstract

Suspicion of lead poisoning is confirmed by its concentration in blood and protoporphyrin red blood cells. At low concentrations, lead influences the synthesis of the heme in the sense of lowering it. Acute and chronic lead intoxication is extremely polymorphic in regards to its clinical manifestations, with digestive, hematological, cardiovascular, renal hepatic and neurological features. The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence of lead in human whole blood and urine harvested before and during chelation treatment in the case of lead poisoning. An atomic absorption spectroscopic method for the analysis of lead was developed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GF‑AAS), Varian Spectra AA‑880 with a hollow cathode lead lamp and a deuterium lamp for background correction, coupled to a GTA‑100 atomizer and a programmable sample dispenser. Standard calibration solutions were used for the range 10‑100 µg/l. The linearity range was 10.0 to 100.0 µg/l with the correlation coefficient of 0.999. We established that the method can be applied for the determination of lead in whole blood and urine, and the results obtained are useful for monitoring chelation therapy in cases of acute lead poisoning, a neglected cause of abdominal colic pain in an emergency situation.

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