Molybdenum (Mo) in urine (chromatography)
Molybdenum is one of the trace elements necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Its main biochemical role is to accelerate the oxidation reaction of purine nitrogenous bases carried out with the help of xanthine oxidase. In addition, this metal is needed for the operation of some other enzymes (aldehyde oxidases, sulfytoxidases). In the blood, molybdenum binds to alpha-2-macroglobulin, as well as erythrocyte spectrin. This is the reason for another function of molybdenum - providing osmotic stability of erythrocyte membrane.
Molybdenum ions also prevent tooth decay. The main source of molybdenum intake is food, vegetables are the richest in this micronutrient, water and air contain small amounts of molybdenum. It is absorbed in the small intestine and stored in the liver, kidneys and skin. Excess of this metal is excreted mainly in the urine, as well as with bile and feces. The elimination of molybdenum from the body is a long process that takes up to several weeks. The concentration of molybdenum in the blood is measured to diagnose imbalance of this trace element.