Serum zinc level : a possible index in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer syndrome

The present investigation shows a possible correlation between serum zinc level and peptic ulcer disease/syndrome and a plausible mechanism for the finding. Clinicopathological study of patients with peptic ulcer diseases followed by confirmed endoscopic findings shows a significant low serum zinc level, 0.846 +/- 0.15 ug/ ml +/- S.D. (P < 0.001) with an exception of approx. 10% of the patients. To understand the cellular mechanism of low zinc levels in serum, tissue zinc content of gastric mucosa was determined. A significant increased value (P < 0.01) of zinc content in gastric mucosa of patients with peptic ulcer diathesis was noted. Carbonic anhydrase, a major zinc containing enzyme was also determined in erythrocytes. However, no change of erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase content was noted. To assess the nutritional status of the patients in relation to the low serum zinc value, serum albumin level was also determined. The low serum zinc level of the peptic ulcer patients is possibly due to the positive shift for the zinc from serum to the gastric mucosa.