Determination of Ca, Mg, K and Na in human myometrium

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the macro element content of myometrium. STUDY DESIGN: Ca, Mg, Na and K were analysed in the myometrial tissue specimens obtained from the cases of pre and postmenopausal women who underwent hysterectomy due to benign reasons. In order to determine regional differences, samples from both upper and lower segments of the uterus were examined. Tissue samples were wet digested followed by elemental analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES) technique. RESULTS: Mg was detected to be significantly higher in the upper segment compared to lower segment both in pre and postmenopausal group (p<0.001 and p<0.05 respectively). The comparison of pre and postmenopausal group with respect to the macroelement content of myometrium revealed significant difference only for Ca in the upper segment which was significantly higher in the postmenopausal period (p<0.05) CONCLUSION: Based on our results it is concluded that there are regional differences in the distribution of elements in the uterus of pre and postmenopausal women. These differences may correspond with the physiological functions of upper and lower segments.