Serum Zinc Levels in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and its Correlation with Severity of Disease

Abstract

Background: Liver cirrhosis is a worldwide slowly progressing health problem. It is the end stage of liver fibrosis characterized by nodule formation in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, ultimately preventing the liver functioning. Liver plays an important role in regulating zinc homeostasis, while zinc is necessary for proper liver function.
Aim and objectives: In view of the above facts, the present study was aimed to evaluate serum zinc levels in patients with liver cirrhosis and to establish any correlation between severity of the disease and serum zinc status.
Methods: The present study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry in collaboration with Department of Medicine, M.M Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, MMDU, Mullana, Ambala on 100 males divided into 2 groups. Group I included 50 diagnosed cases with liver cirrhosis, further divided according to severity of liver cirrhosis and Group II included 50 healthy control subjects. Estimation of Serum Zinc was carried out by Colorimetric Method.
Results: The mean zinc levels were lower in the study group (64.47±21.01) compared to the control group (87.65±15.01) and the difference was statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Serum zinc levels were compared in the various stages of cirrhosis and it was found that with increasing severity of the disease, the fall in the level of the zinc was more.
Conclusion: There was fall in the levels of Zinc in patients with liver cirrhosis. The zinc deficiency was more profound in patients with increasing severity of the disease. Low Zinc levels can be implicated in the development of liver cirrhosis. Therefore, zinc level is useful in the timely management of these patients and to prevent worsening of cirrhosis and development of hepatic encephalopathy.