Determination of Cu/Zn and Fe in human serum of patients with sickle cell anemia using radiation synchrotron

In this work we analyzed serum samples from patients with Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) using Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence using Synchrotron Radiation (SRTXRF). The SRTXRF measurements were performed at the X-Ray Fluorescence Beamline at the Brazilian National Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). We studied forty-three patients aged 18–50 suffering from SCA and sixty healthy volunteers aged 18–60. It was possible to determine the concentrations of the following elements: P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br and Rb. Moreover, there are evidences of an association among Fe, Cu, Zn and Cu/Zn in the SCA pathogenesis process. The concentrations of Fe and Cu in the serum samples of patients with SCA were larger, 120% and 20%, respectively, when compared with the CG. The serum level Cu/Zn ratio was significantly higher (60%) in the serum samples from patients suffering from SCA than from the CG. Therefore, the Cu/Zn ratio can be used as an adjuvant index in enhancement for diagnosis of SCA.

► Serum samples from patients with Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) were analyzed by SRTXRF.
► It was possible to determine the concentrations of the P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br and Rb.
► There are evidences of an association among Fe, Cu, Zn and Cu/Zn in the SCA process.
► The results indicate that the Cu/Zn ratio can be used as an adjuvant index for diagnosis of SCA.