en Biological Sciences Biological Sciences Original Research Original Research Hemodialysis is being implicated in the development of metabolic disturbances, as complications have been observed and the role of trace metals in their development has been questioned. In 78 renal failure patients who underwent hemodialysis, serum levels of zinc and copper were determined before and after first hemodialysis. Acute and chronic renal failure patients were found to have lower serum zinc levels before hemodialysis and higher levels after hemodialysis, while serum copper levels were found to be higher before hemodialysis and to increase further after hemodialysis. Disturbances in acid-base balance lead to acidosis which can alter the binding, transport and excretion of these elements. Dialysis fluid containing salts of trace elements may have also contributed to this alteration of trace element levels. Blood trace metals, Hemodialysis, Renal failure. 329 331 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-298-285&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Z GHORESHI 20031947532846004269 20031947532846004269 No SK AHALEY 20031947532846004270 20031947532846004270 No I RASOOLI 20031947532846004271 20031947532846004271 Yes From the Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College, Miraj, India, and the Dept. of Biology, Shahed University, Tehran, I.R. Iran.