Zinc and magnesium status in patients with liver disease due to chronic alcoholism

Chronic alcoholism is associated with disturbances in trace element and ele ctrolyte metabolism. We studied zinc concentrations in human plasma and liv er tissue and plasma, intracellular and membrane magnesium content in patie nts with alcoholic liver disease. 35 healthy controls (CON), 24 patients wi th steatosis (ST), 19 patients with liver cirrhosis (CI) and 14 patients wi th hepatitis due to alcoholism were studied using atomic absorption spectro scopy. Plasma Mg and Zn was decreased in CI (850 +/- 120 and 10.2 +/- 4.8 m u mol/L respectively, p < 0.05) but not in ST vs. CON (970 +/- 150 vs 980 /- 100 <mu>mol/L, 13.7 +/- 3.8 mu mol/L). Liver tissue Zn was normal and th ere was no relation between plasma and liver Zn levels. Intracellular Mg wa s decreased in CI compared to CON,(1.3 +/- 0.25 vs. 1.88 +/- 0.16 mmol/L, p < 0.05). Membrane Mg content was decreased in ST and CI (0.35 +/- 0.04 and 0.16 +/- 0.04 vs 0.53 +/- 0.05 mmol/g membrane protein, p < 0.01). Intrace llular and membrane Mg concentrations are better parameter of Mg status tha n plasma levels. Alterations in zinc and magnesium status appear to be rela ted to the degree of liver disease.