Long-Term Zinc Supplementation Improves Liver Function and Decreases the Risk of Developing Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Background and Aim: Zinc plays a pivotal role in various zinc enzymes, resulting in the maintenance of liver function. Patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs) usually have lower concentrations of zinc, which decrease further as liver fibrosis progresses. It remains unknown whether long-term zinc supplementation improves liver function and reduces the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Patients and Methods: Two hundred sixty-seven patients with CLDs who received a zinc preparation (Zn-group; 196 patients), or who did not receive zinc (no Zn-treatment group; 71 patients) were retrospectively analyzed in this study. The Zn-group was divided into 4 groups according to their serum Zn concentrations at 6 months after the start of Zn treatment. Results: Liver function significantly deteriorated in the no Zn-treatment group, while no notable change was observed in the Zn-group. The cumulative incidence rates of events and HCC at 3 years were lower in the Zn-group (9.5%, 7.6%) than in the no Zn-treatment group (24.9%, 19.2%) (p<0.001). According to the serum Zn concentrations, the cumulative incidence rates of events and HCC were significantly decreased in patients with Zn concentrations ≥ 70 µg/dl (p<0.001). Conclusion: Zinc supplementation appears to be effective at maintaining liver function and suppressing events and HCC development, especially among patients whose Zn concentration is greater than 70 µg/dl.

Zinc deficiency in patients with chronic liver disease in Japan

“…Recently, it was reported that hypozincemia was associated with developing HCC in hepatitis C virus‐related cirrhosis . Because the long‐term administration of zinc to patients with CLD with zinc deficiency was reported to prevent worsening of liver function and progression of hepatic fibrosis, and to reduce the risk of developing HCC, zinc supplementation with zinc acetate hydrate might not only relieve various symptoms associated with zinc deficiency, but can also improve the quality of life and prognosis in patients with CLD. We hope that the present study will be helpful for better understanding zinc deficiency associated with CLDs.…”

Hypozincemia is associated with human hepatocarcinogenesis in hepatitis C virus‐related liver cirrhosis

“…Recently, many direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) targeting HCV have been developed and have made it possible to eradicate HCV in most patients suffering from chronic hepatitis and LC. Recent papers reported that long‐term zinc supplementation decreased the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis and zinc deficiency was improved after eradication of HCV by DAA treatment . However, future studies are required to validate these results using a larger cohort of patients with zinc deficiency.…”

Role of Zinc in the Development/Progression of Alcoholic Liver Disease

“…1 lowever, there have been few studies evaluating the role of zinc in the development of early ALD, mechanisms of action for zinc therapy in ALD, or effects of zinc on long-term outcome. Three recent studies published only in abstract form address these critical areas [60–63]. …”

“…Serum zinc concentrations tended to predict outcome. The authors concluded that oral zinc supplementation was effective at maintaining liver function and helped to prevent HCC [63]. …”