Abstract
Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) analysis have been employed to determine the elemental content of blood fractions. Blood fractions were collected pre-, during and post-operatively from patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery to investigate the changes in elemental concentration that occur during surgical intervention. Changes in elemental status in blood fractions are well recognised as being associated with a person's health. Eryhrocytes and leukocyte cells i.e. peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) and polymorphonuclearcytes (PMN), were examined because of their varying lifespans. In addition leukocytes are involved in inflammation and the immune response. Analysis of PBMC and PMN by INAA and PIXE analysis is new research. This study has verified that a contamination free separation method using density gradient separation is achievable with detection by INAA of Mg, Mn and Se. Calibration factors were determined for PIXE analysis and are to be implemented into a new PIXE analysis software database and used to describe the system when determining elemental concentrations, useful for both internal and external users of the ion beam analysis facilities. PIXE analysis was conducted on the surface of what are now recognised as very thin and fragile samples. Lack of homogeneity demonstrated by the leukocyte subfractions meant that conventional PIXE analysis software was unable to quantify elements. IBA (ion beam analysis) DataFurnace software, never previously used for PIXE analysis, was investigated and tested to see if its depth profiling capabilities could define inhomogeneous, multilayered samples. This proved successful. Major elements (C, N, O, Na, Cl) were determined by DataFurnace and the subsequent elemental concentrations (Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sn, I) of PBMC and PMN were achieved. Erythrocyte analysis demonstrated that P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br and Rb could be detected and differences in concentration of S, Cl, Fe and Ca from patients undergoing CABG surgery were found.