SERUM ZINC LEVEL IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS C PATIENTS: DOES IT HAVE A ROLE IN THE PROGRESSIONOF LIVER DISEASE?

Abstract

Introduction:Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most frequent disease states responsible
for the induction of liver fibrosis. Zinc(Zn) has a protective effect against liver fibrosis. Aim
of study: To estimate serum zinc levels in patients with chronic HCVand determine the
correlation between their levels and clinical, laboratory and histopathological profilesto assess
its role in the pathogenesis of chronic HCV. Subjects and methods:Seventy five patients
with chronic HCV. Their age ranged from 22 to 58years with a mean age ± SD of 40.5 ± 6.5.
They were 48 (64%) males and 27(36%) females. In addition to twenty-five healthy
individuals matched in age and sex as a control group. All subjects were submitted to full
clinical and laboratory investigations, serum zinc levels estimation by atomic absorption
spectrophotometry. Liver biopsy was done for patients to assess liver fibrosis.Results: A
statistically significantly lower serum levels of zinc was observed among patients with
chronic HCV when compared with control group (46± 3.1 and 67± 7.2, respectively).There
was an inverse correlation between serum zinc level and age. No significant correlation was
found between amounts of HCV RNA,duration of interferon therapy.The serum zinc
concentration of the patients on interferon therapy group was significantly higher than that of
the untreated group. A high significant difference was found between the different grades of
histopathological changes in liver biopsy findings as regard serum zinc levels. In conclusion:
The serum concentration of zinc decreased significantly in chronic HCV and has been
implicated in liver disease progression.
Keywords: Zinc, chronic hepatitis C virus, HCV, chronic liver disease.