**2.1.1 Introduction**

6 Macro to Nano Spectroscopy

Atomic absorption spectroscopy is a sensitive means for the quantification of some 70 elements and is of use in the analysis of biological samples (Skoog & West, 1984). FAAS allows the detection of Ag, Al, Au, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Te, Sb and Sn with great sensitivity (Taylor et al., 2002). For most elements, the EAAS has lower detection limits than the FAAS. The incorporation of the new technology in the Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry opened the possibility of approaches which had been unthinkable until then. For many of them it meant a reinforcement in the central position they held in hospital research. For those which incorporated spectroscopy it meant the possibility of new diagnostic, therapeutic and toxic

In this chapter, a series of research studies are presented as example of the above mentioned. Thus, with respect to the Sr, refer to section 2.1, the first paper deals with the discrimination factor between Ca/Sr in absorption intestinal mechanisms. Afterwards, the different behavior of these metals in the binding to serum proteins is studied. And finally, the possibility of a hormonal regulation mechanism of serum levels of this element is

The quantification of element bound to protein derived towards the direct applications for the study of medical problems such as the distribution of Zn in the acute and chronic

Later, in section 2.2, a specific problem resulting from industrial development among other causes, threatening a part of the population –Pb poisoning– was tackled, analysing the serum and urine concentration of Pb and the hem biomarkers. This example is particularly useful not only because of what the technology meant for the diagnosis and control of this disorder but also because it has allowed to observe how the levels of this element in our city

Finally, in section 2.3, an actual research is included: the design of a new strategy or approach possibility in the knowledge of the physiopathology of different neurological conditions based on the concentration of certain trace elements in the CSF, as well as of

This first group of papers serves as a model to analyze how this new technique allows evolving from the specific research problems (intestinal absorption, transport of element bound to proteins, etc.) to applications in medical pathology, such as the binding of Zn and

One variant of the graphite oven is the carbon bar atomizer. The main advantages of electrothermal atomic absorption are:

b. small volumes of liquid samples (5–100 μL);

controls.

**2.1 Strontium** 

d. low noise level of the oven (Willard et al., 1991).

a. high sensitivity (absolute quantity of analyte of 10-8 to 10-11 g);

c. the possibility of analysing solid samples directly without pretreatment and,

**2. Applications of atomic absorption spectroscopy in medicine** 

evaluated, given the similarity of its biological behavior with the Ca.

and, in general, in the West has declined over the years.

Cu to plasma proteins after myocardial infarction.

overload and de Zn and Cu in the serum proteins in myocardial infarction.

other parameters such as the cellularity, the proteins concentration, etc.

The disintegration of uranium and plutonium atoms in atomic explosions provokes the appearance of a series of elements with maxima in atomic weight of around 90 and 140. The isotopes of heavier atomic weight (140) fall in the area of the explosion while those of lower atomic weight (90) enter the troposphere and stratosphere. The particles which enter the troposphere spread out forming a gigantic belt around the area and are later deposited in local rain. Those others which reach the higher zones – the stratosphere – can be disseminated in over wide areas.

Atmospheric and tropospheric precipitation follow more or less quickly but the contaminants in the stratosphere may take many years before falling into the troposphere and being deposited in zones of greater rainfall.

Among the elements thrown into the troposphere and stratosphere are found those of the first peak of atomic weight (about 90), with two of the artificial isotopes of Sr, 89Sr and 90Sr, with different half lives. In particular, the half life of 90Sr is 28.79 years.

The Sr deposited by the rain together with the Sr present in nature is absorbed by plants through the roots and that which is deposited on the leaves may also be absorbed. From here it enters the human organism, either directly by consuming the plants or, indirectly, by eating the animals which have eaten them.

Once the Sr has entered the organism it is carried in the blood to the cartilage and bone, choice sites for bonding. Far lower rates are found in other tissues.

In face of this threat, the analyses of animal milk for human consumption as markers of radioactive contamination and strategies to prevent the uptake (intestinal absorption) or to facilitate the elimination of 90Sr from the bone once it has bonded are priority research into Sr domain (Escanero, 1974).
