Lipoperoxidation, trace elements and vitamin E in patients with liver cirrhosis

Objective. To evaluate serum levels of malonaldehyde (as a marker of lipoperoxidation), copper, zinc, manganese (trace elements) and vitamin E in cirrhotic patients with respect to the severity of cirrhosis.Methods. Twenty patients with compensated cirrhosis, 22 with decompensated cirrhosis and 21 healthy subjects were studied. Malonaldehyde was measured by the thiobarbituric acid test; copper, zinc, and manganese were determined by atomic absorption, while vitamin E was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography.Results. Malonaldehyde levels were significantly higher in both groups of cirrhotic patients when compared with healthy subjects. Zinc and vitamin E levels were significantly lower in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. A significant correlation was also found between serum zinc and albumin levels in these patients. Copper and manganese levels were similar in the three groups examined.Conclusions. Our findings suggest that the increased susceptibility to lipoperoxidation observed in advanced cirrhosis might be because of a decrease in zinc and vitamin E levels, which have been reported to be critical for protecting cells against free radical mediated lipoperoxidation