Pattern Recognition of Trace Element vs Heavy Elements in Patients with Membranous Nephropathy

The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of trace elements and heavy elements in the pattern recognition in patients with membranous nephropathy. Elements such as V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Sr, Cd, Cs, Ba, Pb, and Hg were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in blood and urine of 14 patients with membranous nephropathy, 14 patients with IgA nephropathy, and 13 normal controls. The blood levels of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Cd, and Ba and the urine levels of Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn in patients with membranous nephropathy were significantly lower than those in normal controls (P < 0.05), while the blood levels of Se, Pb, and Hg and the urine level of Hg were higher (P < 0.05). The blood levels of V, Cr, Co, Cu, As, Sr, Cd, and Ba and the urine levels of Sr and Ba in the patients with membranous nephropathy were significantly lower than those in the IgA nephropathy group (P < 0.05), while the blood and the urine levels of Pb and Hg were higher (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to analyze the results of elements. The results showed that Co, Zn, Hg, and Ba in the blood and Co and Ni in urine significantly contributed to the discriminant model of membranous nephropathy and normal controls; Sr in the blood and Pb and Sr in urine significantly contributed to the discriminant model of membranous nephropathy and IgA nephropathy.