RESUMO
Serum ascorbic acid, copper, iron, ceruloplasmin and transferrin were studied in intestinal bilharzial patients with liver cirrhosis as well as for urinary bilharzial patients [infected with viral hepatitis] before and after treatment. Ascorbic acid, serum iron and transferrin decreased markedly, whereas, serum copper, ceruloplasmin significantly increased in cases with liver cirrhosis and cases infected with viral hepatitis as compared to normal controls. After treatment of hepatitis, ascorbic acid, ceruloplasmin, serum iron and transferrin showed lower levels, but copper increased than controls. Moreover, total proteins, albumin, total globulins, alpha-and beta-lipoproteins were examined. Total proteins, albumin slightly decreased for liver cirrhosis, while those infected with viral hepatitis slightly increased. Total globulins were almost at normal level. In liver cirrhosis, alpha-lipoprotein significantly decreased. On the other hand, beta-lipoprotein slightly increased. In cases with viral hepatitis, beta-lipoprotein markedly increased but alpha-lipoprotein slightly decreased. Total globulins and beta-lipoprotein slightly increased after treatment, but total proteins, albumin, alpha- lipoprotein showed decreased levels as compared to normal controls