Abstract
Abstract
Zinc; copper; total proteins; albumin; globulin, total bilirubin; ASAT and ALAT were determined in serum of 41 bilharzial patients with various degrees of periportal tract fibrosis (PTF). Zinc and copper in liver biopsies were also measured in addition to the intrasplenic portal pressure. 13 patients showed moderate PTF on histopathological examination. Ten of them have agreed to receive zinc sulphate. 7 H2O orally in gelatinous capsules t.d.s for 15 days. Each patient received 75 mg zinc/day. The same parameters were again determined after zinc therapy.
In all patients (11 male + 30 female), the degree of PTF showed inverse correlation with liver zinc content and direct correlation with serum zinc level. Also PTF showed inverse correlation with both serum and liver copper. However after zinc treatment in patients with moderate PTF, there was a marked increase in liver zinc content amounted to 82% while serum zinc was unchanged. Both serum & liver copper concentrations were significantly decreased by 45% & 38% respectively. Liver functions showed marked improvement following zinc treatment. The data reflected good therapeutic efficacy of zinc sulphate capsules in ameliorating the effects of bilharzial liver fibrosis.