ABSTRACT

Different analytical tools have long been used to acquire information demanded in various fields of the life sciences. The results obtained through chemical analyses contribute in qualitative and quantitative characterization of the biological systems, in elucidation of the biological pathways in living organisms, in better understanding of different pathological processes and provide insight to possible toxicological aspects. The analytical task is usually difficult with low levels of target compounds in complex chemical matrices. Thus, the important features of an analytical methodology for such studies are the high selectivity and sensitivity. The current analytical approach is to use coupled techniques, based on combining the separation and detection step into one operating on-line system. Moreover, a clear tendency can be observed toward using element specific detectors and, in particular, inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This highly sensitive multi-element detection system offers   detection limits on the order μg 1^-1 (ppb) down to ng 1 ^–1 (ppt) and the wide dynamic range of up to eight orders of magnitude. Such characteristics allow for monitoring chromatographic effluents for their elemental composition, for specific determination of the target element in the presence of co-eluting elements/compounds, for compensation of incomplete chromatographic resolution from complex matrices and for the detection of number of elements, virtually simultaneous. In this chapter, recent applications of ICP-MS in studies of biological and clinical significance are presented. The first part focuses total element determination in clinical samples, followed by studies on element  bioavaliability  and uptake and distribution in the living organisms. The use of ICP-MS in research on the pharmocokinetics of metal- based drugs is reviewed and some examples are given on the role of this detection tool in studying the pathways of biologically mediated transformation reactions, Finally, the applications concerning metal/metalloid interactions with biological molecules and protein analysis are presented.