Assessment of copper and zinc in liver diseases

Abstract

The liver is a primary storage site for a variety of metabolites. It plays a role in wide variety of metabolic, toxic, excretory, circulatory and defence functions inside the body. Damage to the organ may not evidently affect its activity since the liver has considerable functional reserve. Liver disease is a common term for any damage that reduces the functioning of the liver. Chronic liver disease is identified by gradual destruction of liver cells resulting in fibrosis. It is affected by different conditions including viral hepatitis, excessive alcoholism, genetic, autoimmune and NAFLD. The present study was carried out in Govt. Medical College, Jalaun at Department of Biochemistry. The diagnosis of Liver disease was done by ultrasonographic examination of liver. This study comprised a total of 50 patients, 25 of whom were healthy controls and 25 of whom were Liver Disease patients. After overnight fasting 8-12 hours (under aseptic condition) blood sample (8ml) was drawn from antecubital vein of each subject using a plain vial and was analyzed for serum Cu, Zn & liver profile parameters (serum bilirubin, serum SGOT, serum SGPT and serum ALP done by colorimetric method and calmagnite method, diazo method, IFCC method and assessed by kinetic method respectively. The present study’s findings, indicates that the level of serum copper in liver disease patient was 127.38±28.81µg/dl, which is significantly higher than that of 86.54 ± 15.88µg/dl found is healthy controls (p<0.001). Also, serum copper is strongly linked with biochemical parameters of liver enzyme (SGOT & SGPT). Likewise, the mean value of serum zinc in liver disease were 58.08 ± 13.11µg/dl, which is significantly lower than that of69.88± 6.67µg/dl found in healthy subjects. Further, serum zinc has shown a significant weakly linked with serum SGPT.Therefore, during routine assessments of individuals with liver disease, serum trace elements (Cu and Zn) can be highly effective indicators for detecting the severity of liver damage. Thus, based on the findings of our current investigation, zinc and copper supplementation, as well as a reduction in copper intake, may help to enhance patient survival and preventing the development of hepatitis B to liver cirrhosis.Considering findings of the study, it is recommended that serum trace element concentrations be corrected on a regular basis to help with various problems of liver cirrhosis and maybe to slow the progression of liver disease.