ZINC-DEFICIENCY AND HEPATIC-ENCEPHALOPATH Y

Zinc deficiency appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Present publications of the zinc supplementation in HE are yet inconsistent. In the following the first results of the treatment study with Zinkaspartat in patients with chronic liver disea se (predominantly liver cirrhosis with HE) are presented. 55 patients (liver cirrhosis with HE n = 26; fatty liver n = 29) are involved in t he selection. Hence, 15 patients with liver cirrhosis and HE, and one patient with fatty liver receive by repeatly proofes of the reduced zi nc concentrations at the serum Zinkaspartat (Unizink 50, 3 x 1/day) d uring three months. The concentrations of zinc and ammonia, and the st ates of HE are criterions of the study. The present results show in 9 patients a positive effect. While the concentrations of zinc increased , the concentrations of ammonia decreased, and the states of the HE re duced.