Clinical trials assessing zinc supplementation in liver diseases do not show benefits in terms of clinical improvement or disease halting .
There are possible benefits of zinc supplementation on hepatic encephalopathy , however , this is based on limited evidence .
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Zinc deficiency has been associated with poor prognosis in chronic liver disease .
This systematic review and meta- analysis aim ed to evaluate the role of zinc supplementation in the management of chronic liver diseases .
ORAL ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION IMPROVES HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY: Results of a Randomised Controlled Trial
22 cirrhotic patients with chronic encephalopathy were given oral zinc supplementation or placebo in a double-blind r and omised trial . In the group which received zinc acetate 600 mg a day for 7 days , serum zinc had been restored to normal by day 8 . On day 8 hepatic encephalopathy , as assessed by a trailmaking test , was improved in the supplemented group but not in the placebo group . There was also a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen in the supplemented group . Short-term oral zinc supplementation probably improved hepatic encephalopathy by correcting the zinc deficiency that compromises conversion of ammonia to urea . The duration of this improvement requires further investigation
Clinical trials assessing zinc supplementation in liver diseases do not show benefits in terms of clinical improvement or disease halting .
There are possible benefits of zinc supplementation on hepatic encephalopathy , however , this is based on limited evidence .
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Zinc deficiency has been associated with poor prognosis in chronic liver disease .
This systematic review and meta- analysis aim ed to evaluate the role of zinc supplementation in the management of chronic liver diseases .