Levels of arsenic in liver cirrhosis

The present studies were conducted to determine the arsenic levels in liver specimens obtained at autopsy from human subjects suffering from liver cirrhosis. Arsenic content was determined using the neutron activation analysis technique. Increased levels of arsenic were found in cirrhotic liver samples including alcoholic cirrhosis. Various surveys were conducted in different places to find the cause for high arsenic in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. It was found that patients were consuming 'home-made brew' which was contaminated with arsenic. The study suggests that elevated levels of arsenic may be associated with liver damage in cirrhotic patients.