Evaluation of Serum Zinc Level in Egyptian Patients with Hepatitis C-associated Cirrhosis
Journal Title: Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences - Year 2014, Vol 6, Issue 2
Abstract
Hepatitis C viral infection is a common health problem in Egypt. The complications of HCV include cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Zinc is a micronutrient that plays role in immune system and antioxidant system. Zinc is thought to be associated with HCV-related hepatic complications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the level of serum zinc in patients with different stages of hepatitis C associated liver cirrhosis and HCC. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 75 patients with various stages of HCVassociated liver affections. They included 25 early cirrhotic patients on top of HCV with positive U/S and laboratory tests for cirrhosis with positive viral markers for HCV, 25 patients with advanced cirrhosis on top of HCV and 25 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma on top of HCV with a positive U/S and triphasic CT for malignant focal lesions with positive viral markers for HCV. In addition, 25 healthy subjects were recruited as a control group. Blood samples were obtained from each subject a subjected for full laboratory studies for biochemical liver functions tests, prothrombin time and Zinc determination. There were statistically significant differences in late cirrhosis, HCC and control groups regarding albumin (ALB) and total bilirubin (T. Bil) (P < 0.001). Prothrombin time had statistically significant prolonged time (P < 0.001) in early cirrhotic group, 14.75 ± 0.75 seconds, late cirrhotic group was 16.7 ± 2.2 seconds and in HCC group was 17.5 ± 2.9 seconds than the standard value of prothrombin time (11–13 seconds) and INR (0.9–1.1). There were statistically significant (P < 0.001) differences between early cirrhosis (103.8 ± 9.7) and control groups (122.4 ± 7.1) as regard to serum zinc. There were statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) between late cirrhosis (94.0 ± 12.7), HCC (94.0 ± 12.7) and control groups (122.4 ± 7.1) with regard to serum zinc. There were insignificant correlations between ALT, AST, bilirubin, albumin and serum zinc level. From the present study we can conclude that serum zinc level decreases significantly in chronic HCV infection with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The decrease of serum zinc can be used as a laboratory parameter for evaluation of liver status in cases of liver dysfunction on top of HCV. It is recommended to evaluate the role of zinc supplementation in treating clinical manifestation of liver cirrhosis and liver cell failure associated with HCV.
Authors and Affiliations
Nahla Hamed Anber
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP183926
- DOI -
- Views 102
- Downloads 0
Lipid Profiles in Sudanese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been one of the important public health problems in Sudan, which leads to medical consequences and ends up in sterility. Methods This study includes 40 PCOS women with age...
Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus in Eastern India
Context To study the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in type-2 diabetics and spectrum of thyroid dysfunction in view of importance of thyroid disorders on glycemic status and complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Ai...
Reason Analysis for Suspension/Early Termination of Drug Clinical Trial
Object To collect a scientific basis for improving the quality and success rate of drug clinical trials by analyzing the reasons for the suspension or termination of clinical trials in China and abroad. Method Drug Clini...
Preliminary Study on the Feasibility of p53 Gene Delivery Mediated by Novel Vectors Constructed with CTS and PEI
Cancer is one of the serious diseases threatening human health. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are major conventional therapies for cancer treatment. The pain, toxic and side effects limit their efficacy. Gene th...
Efficacy and Tolerability of Fixed Dose Combination Valsartan/Amlodipine to Achieve Blood Pressure Target in Iraqi Hypertensive Patients
Background Fixed dose combinations (FDCs) are one of the options for improving blood pressure (BP) goal attainment. However, it has not been studied previously in Iraqi patients. Objective The aim of the study is to eval...