Molybdenum body content

Although trace element abnormalities occur in chronic renal failure, few symptoms have been attributed to them in nondialyzed patients. In dialysis patients these disturbances appear to be qualitatively similar but more severe (T7). They have been extensively reviewed by Alfrey (A5). Total body zinc (except in erythrocytes), strontium, aluminum, and tin are generally increased, whereas total body rubidium is decreased. Iron stores tend to be increased in the spleen and liver in dialyzed patients, especially after ferrous sulfate therapy. Copper is increased in lung tissue and decreased in heart tissue and erythrocytes. Molybdenum and cadmium are decreased in renal tissue but increased in liver tissue of dialyzed and nondialyzed patients. Total body zinc content is significantly increased (A5), but hypozincemia, frequently observed in dialysis patients, has been blamed for taste impairment and impotence and there is conflicting evidence on whether zinc repletion corrects these abnormalities (K4, Ml2). Nickel is also increased in the serum of uremic patients, but this does not appear to be associated with a corresponding increase in tissues (S5). It cannot be concluded that trace element retention in renal failure is of no clinical importance, as shown by the problem of aluminum intoxication, to be discussed later. In addition, trace elements such as rubidium and bromine, which are rapidly depleted in uremic patients on maintenance dialysis (A5), may prove to be essential in normal metabolism. Thus the clinical importance of these element alterations remains unclear. 

The total content of molybdenum in the human body is about 5-10 mg. The molybdenum content in the Uver is approximately 0.36-0.9 mg/kg, in kidney 0.4mg/kg and in brain and muscles 0.03 mg/kg. The molybdenum content in the blood fluctuates over a very wide range of concentrations (0.003-0.41 mg/1). Mean concentrations are 0.01-0.07 mg/1. 

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