| [ Summary ] |
The significance of the biochemical and nutritional rolls of trace elements is widely recognized, since metals are found as constituent components of many metalloproteins and metalloenzymes. Some trace elements, such as copper, act as cofactors against hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver diseases, particularly in the biosynthesis of collagen. As the diseases progress from chronic hepatitis to liver cirrhosis, serum calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc concentrations decrease, while the copper concentration increases. In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, serum concentrations of trace elements are similar to those of liver cirrhosis. In patients with acute hepatitis, serum calcium, magnesium and zinc concentrations decrease, while phosphorus, iron and copper concentrations decrease. These trace element abnormalities may reflect such pathological conditions as liver dysfunction, cholestasis, hepatic fibrosis or liver regeneration. Zinc tolerance tests in patients with chronic diseases revealed significant decreases in the peak level from two hours to three hours after admisnistration in patients with liver cirrhosis, comparised with those in healthy adult control groups, confirming decreased zinc absorption. This suggests that digestive tract lesions may be related to portal hypertention secondary to liver cirrhosis. |