Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2005, 207(4)

Concentrations of Copper and Zinc in Liver and Serum Samples in Biliary Atresia Patients at Different Stages of Traditional Surgeries

CHIE SATO,1 HIROSHI KOYAMA,2,4 HIROSHI SATOH,2 YUTAKA HAYASHI,1 TSUNEO CHIBA3 and RYOJI OHI1,5

1Department of Pediatric Surgery, 2Environmental Health Sciences, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan, 3Department of Pediatric Surgery, National Hospital Organization Sendai Medical Center, Sendai, Japan, 4Department of Public Health, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan, and 5Miyagi Children's Hospital, Sendai, Japan

Many patients with biliary atresia (BA) have impaired metabolism of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) because of the obstruction of bile ducts. An excessive Cu accumulation is cytotoxic and results in fibrosis in hepatic tissues. Since Zn works antagonistically to Cu, lower Zn concentrations may deteriorate liver damage. In the 1980's, we performed a series of surgeries on BA patients for the construction and alteration of the bile flow route, which is the major excretion route for Cu. We obtained liver and serum samples at each surgery, and measured Cu and Zn concentrations by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Hepatic Cu concentration decreased with the improvement of cholestasis after the establishment of bile excretion. Conversely, when cholestasis persisted or recurred, increases in hepatic and serum Cu concentrations were noted. Hepatic Zn concentration was lower than previously reported normal values. High hepatic and serum Cu concentrations due to persistent or recurrent cholestasis and low hepatic Zn concentration may deteriorate hepatic fibrosis and liver cirrhosis.

keywords —— biliary atresia; copper; zinc; bile excretion; fibrosis

© 2005 Tohoku University Medical Press

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Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2005, 207, 271-277

Correspondence: Hiroshi Satoh, Environmental Health Sciences, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryomachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.

e-mail: h.satoh@ehs.med.tohoku.ac.jp