concentration of serum zinc in celiac patients compared to healthy subjects in Tehran

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated serum levels of zinc in patient with CD compare to healthy subjects. Celiac disease [CD] is characterized by small intestinal malabsorption of nutrients as a consequence of ingestion of wheat gluten. Zinc is an essential trace element that it has vital biological functions. Sera of 30 celiac cases and 30 healthy normal cohorts as control group were obtained. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was employed for estimating serum zinc level. Zinc concentrations in patients diagnosed with CD were significantly lower than healthy subjects [75.97 +/- 12 compared with 92.83 +/- 18, P-value < 0.0001]. The result of this study shows that serum zinc concentration is decreased in celiac patients compare to healthy controls. Serum zinc may thus be a marker of CD in adults presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms