Status of Essential Trace Minerals and Oxidative Stress in Viral Hepatitis C Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may be an important factor leading to altered trace mineral homeostasis, thereby accelerating the progression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Our aim was to determine whether NAFLD influenced the status of certain essential trace minerals and oxidative stress in chronic HCV-infected patients.Design and Methods: Blood biochemical parameters were determined in a group of 30 healthy, non-obese, non-diabetic participants (CNL group), and hepatitis C patients without NAFLD (HCV group, n = 30) and with NAFLD (HCV-NAFLD group, n = 32).Results: Concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS; a measure of oxidative stress), C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, aminotransferases, lipid profiles, and insulin metabolism were markedly abnormal in both patient groups than in CNL subjects. Compared to patients in the HCV group, those with HCV-NAFLD group had lower high-density lipoprotein concentrations, higher low-density lipoprotein and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values, disrupted antioxidant enzyme activities, and elevated TBARS concentrations, as well as decreased plasma concentrations of trace minerals zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) and increased copper (Cu). The alterations in mineral homeostasis were also linked to TBARS, CRP, ferritin, lipoproteins, and HOMA-IR values in the HCV-NAFLD group.Conclusions: There is a progressive deterioration in the homeostasis of minerals (Zn, Se, and Cu) in HCV-NAFLD patients, which may reflect greater oxidative stress and inflammation. These results suggest that the disturbance in mineral metabolism by NAFLD has an impact on the effectiveness of treatment for chronic HCV infection.

Oxidative stress biomarkers among Saudi patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis versus chronic hepatitis C

“…To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the level of oxidative stress and anti-oxidative markers among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection versus nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The main finding of our study proved excess level of oxidative and lower anti-oxidant markers in patients with NASH than patients with CHC and healthy volunteers, these results are in line with many previous studies (42,43).…”

“…However, Patients with HCV and HCV-NAFLD groups had altered blood lipid profiles, higher IR, elevated liver enzyme activities, imbalances in anti-oxidant defense (42). To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the level of oxidative stress and anti-oxidative markers among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection versus nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.…”

Rimonabant Improves Oxidative/Nitrosative Stress in Mice with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…This decline is in agreement with published data that indicate the ability of zinc to modulate hepatic gene expression and lipid homeostasis [ 73 ]. Zinc finger transcription factors, peroxisome proliferation activator receptor- α (PPAR- α ) and hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 α (HNF-4 α ), play important roles in regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism [ 73 , 74 ]. However, excessive lipid accumulation in the liver is associated with the formation of ROS and release of proinflammatory cytokines [ 7 , 75 ].…”

How Trace Element Levels of Public Drinking Water Affect Body Composition in Turkey

“…At the same time, the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats in humans is connected with zinc, copper and iron; and obesity's emergence could implicitly relate to disturbances in homeostasis [7]. For instance, several epidemiological studies have found a negative correlation between cellular zinc levels and the prevalence of obesity [8,9], whereas others have reported linkage between obesity and serum copper levels [10,11]. Abnormal cellular chromium, selenium, iron and other mineral concentrations have been reported in obese patients as well [12,13].…”