INTERACTIONS OF COPPER AND IRON WITH OTHER ELEMENTS IN THE OSSEOUS TISSUE OF THE FEMUR HEAD

The information on interactions between metals with toxic proprieties and of physiological meaning shows that shortages of essential elements influence one's health. Therefore a suitable dose of physiological elements in food is indispensable for the prevention and the elimination of toxic influence of metals. The aim of the work was to qualify the interaction between copper and iron as well as the types of interaction between these metals and other elements (Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, K, Na, Mg, Ca) occurring in the femur head. The objects of the research were samples of the femur head with diverse degenerative and deforming changes in the hip-joint obtained from a group of inhabitants of several cities in Upper Silesia. The concentrations of Cu, Fe and Ni, Cd, Cr, Ph, Zn, Mn, Na, K, Mg, Ca were determined by a Philips Pye Unicam SP-9 atomic absorption spectrometer (ASA) in the acetylene and oxygen flame. The work confirmed the interactions of copper with chrome, nickel and zinc and the interactions of iron with manganese. Most of all the considerable interactions of copper and iron were observed in the trabecular bone and least in the articular cartilage.