Study of Trace Elements in Liver Cirrhosis Patients and Their Role in Prognosis of Disease

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to evaluate trace elements in patients with liver cirrhosis and to assess their association with severity of the disease. One hundred fifty cirrhotic subjects of either sex ranging in age from 20-70 years were included in the study, and the results were compared with 50 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. All cirrhotic subjects were assessed for severity of disease as mild (Child A), moderate (Child B), and severe (Child C) as per Child-Pugh classification. Routine investigations were done and trace elements (Cu, Zn, Se, and Mg) were analyzed on atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum level of copper was found significantly increased in patients with liver cirrhosis as compared to control group. Whereas serum zinc, selenium, and magnesium levels were significantly decreased in cirrhotic subjects as compared to controls. Trace elements were compared with severity of liver cirrhosis. Serum copper concentration was slightly increased in patients with more severe clinical state of liver cirrhosis; however, mean level difference of copper among the Child-Pugh groups were statistically not significant. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between copper and Child-Pugh Score. However, copper showed a significant negative correlation with zinc. Serum zinc, magnesium, and selenium levels were significantly decreased with advancement of liver disease as compared to early stage of liver cirrhosis and showed a significant negative correlation with Child-Pugh Score. Trace element abnormalities may reflect the condition of liver dysfunction. These results suggest that liver dysfunction may alter the metabolism of trace elements. Our study shows that micronutrients status in liver cirrhosis correlates well with severity of liver cirrhosis. Micronutrients supplementation in liver cirrhotic patients may prevent progression of disease and development of complications; however, further research needs to be done.

Association between Serum Selenium Concentrations and Levels of Proinflammatory and Profibrotic Cytokines—Interleukin-6 and Growth Differentiation Factor-15, in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis

“…Our results indicate a selenium deficiency in patients with liver cirrhosis and are consistent with previously published study findings. Nangliya et al showed the relationship between the severity of liver cirrhosis and reduced concentration of selenium [10]. Kazi et al noticed that the concentrations of selenium and zinc were reduced in patients with cirrhosis and liver cancer and negatively correlated with the concentrations of heavy metals (cadmium and arsenic) [11].…”

Circulating copper and zinc levels and risk of hepatobiliary cancers in Europeans

“…In fact, information from case–control studies indicates higher circulating copper and lower zinc levels in patients with hepatitis C (Ko et al , 2005) and liver cirrhosis (Rahelic et al , 2006; Nangliya et al , 2015). Additional evidence suggests a link between hepatitis C infection and higher antioxidant enzyme Cu/Zn-SOD activity which has also been observed to be high in liver biopsies of NAFLD patients (Ko et al , 2005; Perlemuter et al , 2005).…”

The Influence of Lithium and/or Selenium Treatment on Homeostasis of Chosen Bioelements in Rats

“…During the first 48 h of the experiment, no alterations were observed, but after 72 and 96 h, a slight decrease vs. control was obtained [10]. No influence of any treatment used in our experiment on the liver Mg is also very substantial as the proper functioning of this detoxifying organ is an issue of great importance, particularly that psychiatric subjects must undergo a long-term therapy [2] and some connections among magnesium, selenium and disturbances of the liver have already been reported [32, 33]. …”