Site-specific distribution of copper, selenium, and zinc in human kidney by synchrotron radiation induced X-ray fluorescence

Distribution of trace elements such as Cu, Se, and Zn in human kidney was examined by use of nondestructive synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) imaging technique. All elements measured were more accumulated in the renal cortex than in the medulla. The renal Cu and Zn distributions obtained by SR-XRF imaging were consistent with those obtained by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Furthermore, correlation analysis based on the X-ray intensity data of each analytical point showed a positive correlation of the distribution of these elements.