Role of zinc supplementation in the management of chronic liver diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#chronic-disease #hepatic-encephalopathy #hepatitis-c-chronic #humans #liver-cirrhosis

Role of zinc supplementation in the management of chronic liver diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Diglio et al., 2020 | Ann Hepatol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Diglio Daniela C, Fernandes Sabrina A, ... Tovo Cristiane V. Role of zinc supplementation in the management of chronic liver diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Hepatol. 2020;19(2):190-196. doi:10.1016/j.aohep.2019.08.011

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Zinc deficiency has been associated with poor prognosis in chronic liver disease. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the role of zinc supplementation in the management of chronic liver diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases from inception to August 2018. We included randomized controlled trials evaluating adult patients with chronic liver disease of any etiology receiving zinc supplementation. Studies with other designs or evaluating chronic conditions other than liver disease were excluded. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data from eligible studies. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized studies. RESULTS: Of 1315 studies screened, 13 were included. Six assessed chronic hepatitis C treatment, with a relative risk of 0.83 indicating no protective effect of zinc supplementation on the improvement of sustained virological response. Three evaluated response to hepatic encephalopathy treatment, with a relative risk of 0.66 indicating a favorable effect of zinc supplementation on clinical improvement of this condition. Of four studies evaluating the management of cirrhosis, two analyzed the effect of zinc supplementation on serum albumin levels, with no statistical difference between zinc and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical trials assessing zinc supplementation in liver diseases do not show benefits in terms of clinical improvement or disease halting. There are possible benefits of zinc supplementation on hepatic encephalopathy, however, this is based on limited evidence. This research question is still open for evaluation in larger, well-designed, clinical trials.

Key Findings

Of 1315 studies screened, 13 were included. Six assessed chronic hepatitis C treatment, with a relative risk of 0.83 indicating no protective effect of zinc supplementation on the improvement of sustained virological response. Three evaluated response to hepatic encephalopathy treatment, with a relative risk of 0.66 indicating a favorable effect of zinc supplementation on clinical improvement of this condition. Of four studies evaluating the management of cirrhosis, two analyzed the effect of zi

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population chronic liver disease of
Sample Size 1315
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Chronic Disease
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • Liver Diseases
  • Serum Albumin
  • Sustained Virologic Response
  • Trace Elements
  • Zinc

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: zinc

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09