Total-reflection X-ray fluorescence using synchrotron radiation (SR-TXRF) is a powerful analytical technique to study trace elements in biomedical samples. The aim of this study was to investigate possible changes in essential trace element concentrations caused by irradiation procedures. Fresh blood samples were obtained from the Dr. Eliel Figueiredo Laboratory, Rio de Janeiro. The samples were separated in two groups. The first was irradiated with doses of 1500, 2500 and 3000cGy, using a Gammacell 220 Exce irradiator, and the second was irradiated with doses of from 2 to 100 cGy, using gamma radiation in a Theraton 780 C irradiator. After irradiation, all samples were lyophilized to remove the water and then submitted to standard chemical digestion by adding nitric acid. All the measurements were carried out by X-Ray Fluorescence beamline at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS) in Campinas. While no positive association was found for variations in calcium, the variations in potassium were positively associated with the radiation dose for all analyzed samples. On the other hand, iron levels decreased for whole blood and plasma and zinc levels decreased only in whole blood as the dose increased.
Blood cells; radiation, ionizing; fluorescence
