Original scientific paper

Serum Zinc Concentrations in the Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Štefica Dvornik
Mira Ćuk
Sanjin Rački
Luka Zaputović

Abstract

Zinc is necessary for growth and cells’ division. Its deficiency may seriously affect antioxidant defense system and is usually related to renal failure, gastrointestinal diseases and alcoholism. It is very important to know zinc status in dialyzed patients and to prevent hypo- or hyperzincemia. Serum samples from 89 patients with chronic terminal renal failure on regular hemodialysis were withdrawn for the estimation of zinc concentrations immediately before and after dialysis. Serum zinc concentrations showed to be highly dependent on hemodialysis. In 57 (64%) patients, serum zinc concentrations
decreased, sometimes from very high to normal values. In remaining 32 (36%) patients serum zinc concentrations tended to increase, but remained within normal range. Zinc supplementation may be recommended only in the patients with proven zinc deficiency, but for all chronic renal failure patients it is questionable.

Keywords

zinc; hemodialysis; trace elements

Hrčak ID:

8901

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/8901

Publication date:

16.3.2006.

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