Long-Term Zinc Supplementation Improves Liver Function and Decreases the Risk of Developing Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Takuya Yamada,Eiji Kimura,Yuka Sueyoshi,Sumiko Abe,Kengo Matsumoto,Atsushi Hosui,Kousaku Onishi,Naoki Hiramatsu,Motohiro Hirao,Takashi Tanimoto,Yukihiro Kusumoto

doi:10.3390/nu10121955

Takuya Yamada, Eiji Kimura + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10121955

Copy DOI

Journal: Nutrients	Publication Date: Dec 10, 2018
Citations: 48	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Osaka Rosai Hospital

Abstract

Zinc plays a pivotal role in various zinc enzymes, which are crucial in the maintenance of liver function. Patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs) usually have lower concentrations of zinc, which decrease further as liver fibrosis progresses. Whether long-term zinc supplementation improves liver function and reduces the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development remains unknown. Two hundred and sixty-seven patients with CLDs who received a zinc preparation (Zn-group; 196 patients), or who did not receive zinc (no Zn-treatment group; 71 patients), were retrospectively analyzed in this study. The Zn-group was divided into 4 groups according to their serum Zn concentrations at 6 months after the start of Zn treatment. Liver function significantly deteriorated in the no Zn-treatment group, while no notable change was observed in the Zn-group. The cumulative incidence rates of events and HCC at 3 years were observed to be lower in the Zn-group (9.5%, 7.6%) than in the no Zn-treatment group (24.9%, 19.2%) (p < 0.001). According to serum Zn concentrations, the cumulative incidence rates of events and HCC were significantly decreased in patients with Zn concentrations ≥ 70 µg/dL (p < 0.001). Zinc supplementation appears to be effective at maintaining liver function and suppressing events and HCC development, especially among patients whose Zn concentration is greater than 70 µg/dL.

Highlights

Zinc, an essential trace element, has been reported to play various pivotal roles in the human body
Serum zinc concentration gradually decreases as liver fibrosis progresses, and zinc suppressed the exacerbation of the disease in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs)
Alkaline phosphatase and Superoxide dismutase (SOD); researchers have speculated that the administration of zinc may polymerase, RNA polymerase, alkaline phosphatase and SOD; researchers have speculated that exert a positive effect on liver function and inhibit cancer development

Summary

Introduction

An essential trace element, has been reported to play various pivotal roles in the human body. In the liver, zinc is needed for the activation of many enzymes, such as ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), which are utilized in the urea cycle and the glutamine synthetase cycle respectively. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), which requires zinc for its activation, has strong antioxidant activity. Zinc deficiency may cause SOD inactivity, followed by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). Takeda et al recently reported that zinc deficiency delays both extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) clearance and adenosine generation, followed by enhanced inflammation [1]. Especially in chronic liver diseases (CLDs), were explained by Himoto in a review article [2]

Methods

Results

Conclusion