Abstract: Introduction: Trace elements play crucial roles in the maintenance of health since they are involved in many metabolic pathways. The liver largely regulates most of the metabolism of trace elements. A deficiency or an excess of some trace elements, including zinc, copper and magnesium frequently causes some metabolic disorders. Thus, the administration or depletion of these trace elements can improve metabolic disorders and liver dysfunction.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum trace elements with liver function tests among chronic liver disease (CLD) patients.
Materials and Methods: The study was carried out from January to December 2021 in the Department of Biochemistry, Teerthanker Mahaveer Hospital, and Moradabad. 100 subjects, 50 patients with chronic liver disease and 50 healthy controls were included. Serum copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations were measured by using an automated method.
Results: Serum Cu was significantly higher in the CLD group than in the control group (p<0.001), whereas serum Zn and Mg were significantly lower in the CLD than that in the control group (p<0.001 and p<0.05) respectively. Serum Cu was significantly positively correlated with serum total, direct & indirect bilirubin, SGOT and GGT. However, serum Zn and Mg were correlated negatively with SGPT and ALP respectively (p<0.001 for all).
Conclusion: Increasing liver dysfunction alters the metabolism of trace elements towards an excess of copper and deficiency of zinc and magnesium. Supplementation of zinc, magnesium and reduction of copper intake would delay the progression of chronic liver disease and can improve the survival of patients.
