INVESTIGATION OF ZINC-DEFICIENCY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC COR-PULMONALE BY ORAL PLASMA ZINC TOLERANCE-TEST

In this study plasma and hair zinc levels were determined in 33 patien ts with chronic cor pulmonale and 11 healthy controls. Plasma and hair zinc levels in patients were significantly lower than the control (p < 0.001), Zinc absorption was examined by oral plasma zinc tolerance t est comparing the results to the healthy control group. The increases in plasma zinc were significantly lower in the patients than the contr ol group (p < 0.001). In addition to this, we have seen increase in ur inary excretion of zinc. We can conclude that chronic cor pulmonale is frequently associated with zinc deficiency, The cause of zinc deficie ncy is due to both decreased absorption in the edematus intestine and increased excretion from kidney.