European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:  Chronic liver disease (CLD) and its complications are becoming a major public health problem. The relation between trace elements and chronic liver disease has been studied in recent times. Objectives of the study: To study the levels of various trace elements like copper and zinc in cases of CLD and to compare and correlate them with healthy controls. Materials and methods: This was an observational case control study conducted in department of Medicine of KIMS Koppal for a duration of 18 months. A total of 100 subjects were prospectively included in the study (50 cases of CLD and 50 matched controls). The concentration of trace elements like serum zinc and copper were measured in all subjects and correlated. Results: There was significant reduction in the levels of zinc whereas copper levels were significantly increased in chronic liver disease. Conclusion: The functions of trace elements like coper and zinc  have a dual role. In normal levels, they are important for stabilization of the cellular structures, but in deficiency states may stimulate alternate pathways and cause diseases. These trace elements have clinical significant and these can be estimated using different analytical method.