Serum zinc, copper, and ceruloplasmin levels in male alcoholics

Twenty male alcoholics aged 29 to 69 years (mean 45.80 + SD 10.97) were compared with controls for serum zinc, copper, and ceruloplasmin levels. The serum zinc level of the alcoholic patients was significantly lower than that of the control group (t = 3.3005, p less than 0.005). The serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels of the alcoholics tended to be higher than those of the controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. A significantly positive correlation between serum zinc and albumin levels (r = 5.41, p less than 0.01) was also found. The nutritional state of the alcoholics may not be an adequate explanation for their low serum zinc level. It is suggested that further research on alcohol as a toxic agent might focus on trace element-containing enzymatic defects in brain peptides and hormones to promote fuller understanding of the psychopathology associated with alcohol abuse.