The effectiveness of oral zinc supplementation in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy

Abstract

The role of zinc in biochemical reactions in the human body and the need for sufficient intake of zinc have been known to science for long time. Zinc is a cofactor of more than 300 biochemical reactions, including those occurring in the liver. The human genome encodes about 3,000 zinc proteins. At least thirty proteins homeostatically control the vesicular accumulation and intracellular distribution of zinc, as well as the concentration of zinc ions (1). In 20% of patients with compensated and 50% of patients with decompensated cirrhosis of the liver, both quantitative and qualitative nutritional problems are observed (2). There is still not much work and recommendations on the diet of patients with hepatic encephalopathy in the modern doctor’s arsenal. A review of articles describing the effectiveness of adding zinc to the diet of patient with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy, as we know, has not been conducted yet. The purpose of this review is a detailed analysis of the available scientific data on the effectiveness of zinc in patients with hepatic encephalopathy and, if it is possible, the development of specific recommendations for medical practitioners, as well as identification of perspective directions for further researches.