Selenium, Iron, Copper, and Zinc Levels and Copper-to-Zinc Ratios in Serum of Patients at Different Stages of Viral Hepatic Diseases

Abstract

Viral hepatic diseases, especially those induced by the hepatitis B virus, can progress into more serious pathological outcomes and eventually to hepatocellular carcinoma. A growing body of evidence indicates that many trace elements play important roles in a number of carcinogenic processes that proceed through various mechanisms. To examine the status of trace elements during the development of hepatic carcinoma, we determined the selenium, iron, copper, and zinc levels and copper-to-zinc ratios in the serum of patients at different stages of viral hepatic disease. We observed significant changes in the selenium, iron, copper, and zinc levels in the serum of patients having hepatocellular carcinoma, relative to those of healthy controls (p < 0.05). The mean serum copper level in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly higher than that of the control group. In contrast, the mean selenium, iron, and zinc levels in patients having hepatocellular carcinoma were significantly lower than those of the control group. In addition, the mean zinc level in the serum of patients with hepatic cirrhosis was significantly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, we found markedly elevated Cu: Zn ratios (p < 0.05) in patients having hepatic cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Our findings imply that the levels of some trace elements, such as selenium, iron, copper, and zinc, and Cu: Zn ratios, might serve as biomarkers for the increased severity of viral hepatic damage.

Compared Levels of Specific Divalent Trace Elements in Hyperlipidemia and Hepatitis Sera Patients

“…The biological role of trace metals, especially serum Zn, Cu, Cr and Mn, in different physiologic conditions has been extensively investigated in recent years (Hambidge M 2000). Similar observations were made (Lin CC et al 2006), and paramoolsinsa PC (Pramoolsinsap C. et al1996). They reported statistically significant decreased levels of serum Mn, Cu and Se in patients with hepatitis.…”

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Viral Response in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C and Beta Thalassemia Major, A Pilot Study

“…Comparison of zinc levels in both groups before and after the study did not show any significant difference (p = 0.274 in the zinc group and p= 0.218 in the placebo group) either. dIScuSSIOn Serum zinc level has been found to be low in the patients with hepatitis C [13][14][15]. On the other hand, several mechanisms have been suggested indicating that zinc may improve the response to standard anti-HCV pharmacotherapy.…”

Role of heavy metals in human health and particularly in respect to diabetic patients

“…In case of Cu deficiency, cytochrome oxidases decrease its activity which might lead to the distortion of mitochondria in metabolically active tissues such as pancreatic acinar cells, hepatocytes etc. (Lin et al, 2006;Quilliot, 2001). The Cu deficiency is one of the reasons for the progress of cardiovascular diseases (Klevay, 2000) and Cu is also beneficial to prevent arthritis linked inflammation and epilepsy (Chwiej et al, 2008).…”