Decreased Serum zinc, selenium, and vitamin E as possible risk factors of hepatic fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

This article focuses on the relationship between serum levels of zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and vitamin E and the development of hepatic fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In a case-control study involving 80 NAFLD patients and 40 healthy controls, serum Zn and Se levels were found to be significantly lower in NAFLD patients with hepatic fibrosis compared to those without fibrosis and controls, while vitamin E levels showed no significant association with fibrosis severity. Logistic regression analysis identified Zn and Se levels, along with factors such as weight and body mass index (BMI), as independent predictors of hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD. The findings suggest that deficiencies in Zn and Se may contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD, whereas vitamin E serum levels do not correlate with disease severity. The study recommends further research to confirm these associations and to explore the therapeutic potential of micronutrient supplementation in NAFLD management.