Liver cirrhosis and liver diabetes mellitus are linked by zinc deficiency

The association between liver cirrhosis and variations of glucose tolerance has been extensively documented and discussed. Zinc is an essential trace element necessary for normal protein metabolism, for the function of more than 200 zinc metalloenzymes, and for a host of physiologic functions. A poor zinc status is common in both liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus. Many of the clinical features of liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus have been linked to zinc deficiency. Zinc supplementation improved in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy with and without diabetes mellitus neurological symptoms and signs of malnutrition. Furthermore, zinc supplementation increased glucose disposal. Summarising these facts, we hypothesise that zinc deficiency is a link between liver cirrhosis and the liver diabetes mellitus. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.