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Effect of oral zinc therapy in cirrhosis

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Summary

In 15 subjects with cirrhosis receiving oral zinc therapy at a dose of 90 mg. daily for 3 mo., no clinical response could be detected when comparison was made with control periods. In 12 subjects with cirrhosis, reduced serum zinc levels were observed, confirming previous studies. At variance with these results was the reduced urinary excretion of zinc. In 10 patients with cirrhosis a 1-wk. course of zinc elevated the serum zinc levels significantly but did not affect urinary excretion.

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Hammond, J.B., Black, H.R., Cullison, J.L. et al. Effect of oral zinc therapy in cirrhosis. Digest Dis Sci 5, 923–930 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02232860

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