Investigation of metallothionein concentration with preconcentration by solid phase extraction on covalent affinity chromatography gel for quantitative determination of exposure to heavy metals

The aim of this study was to test a new method for the quantitative determination of metallo- thionein (MT), in order to determine the level of exposure to heavy metals. For MT preconcentration, the solid phase extraction (SPE) method with covalent affinity chromatography with thiol-disulphide interchange (CAC-TDI) gel was applied. In experiment Cd-thionein (Cd-Th) obtained from rats exposed to cadmium salt was used. Protein concentration was determined by indirect method based on metal analysis, bonded with MT protein by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The results showed satisfactory correlation between Cd-Th concentration and the level of exposition for heavy metals.