Clinical and biochemical understanding of Zinc interaction during liver diseases: A paradigm shift

Zinc (Zn) is an essential and the second most abundant trace element after Iron. It can apply antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activity. It is assumed to be indispensable for cell division, cellular differentiation and cell signalling. Zinc is essential for proper liver function which is also the site of its metabolism. Depleted Zn concentrations have been observed in both acute and chronic hepatic diseases. It is reported that Zn deficiency or abnormal Zn metabolism during majority of liver diseases is attributed to deficient dietary intake of Zn, augmented disposal of Zn in the urine, activation of certain Zn transporters, and expression of hepatic metallothionein. Undoubtedly, Zn is involved in generating many diseases but how and whether it plays role from acute to fulminant stage of all chronic liver diseases remains to be cleared. Here, we will discuss the role of Zn in development of different diseases specifically the involvement of Zn to understand the aetiology and intricate mechanism of dynamic liver diseases.