title: The influence of portosystemic shunting on zinc and vitamin A metabolism in liver cirrhosis.
abstract: To elucidate the possible role of portosystemic shunting on zinc and vitamin A deficiency which has been described in patients with cirrhosis of the liver, a study on 37 hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis was performed. Patients with surgical portosystemic shunt were found to have a significantly lower levels of zinc, vitamin A and retinol-binding protein (RBP) than controls and patients with cirrhosis without shunt. Patients with portal hypertension--considered to have spontaneous shunting--also has lower levels than those without this symptom. A significant correlation between zinc and vitamin A and RBP levels, respectively, was found. Also an increased renal zinc output was demonstrated. An influence of portosystemic shunting on zinc deficiency and subsequent vitamin A deficiency by decreased RBP release is concluded. The importance of these metabolic disorders for clinical symptoms is discussed.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011170:Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D014801:Vitamin A; D015032:Zinc