A Controlled Study of Potential Therapeutic Effect of Oral Zinc in Manifesting Carriers of Wilson Disease

The assumption is that in some of the carriers, the increase in enzymes reflects tissue damage due to excess copper. The reduction of the amount of copper absorbed will decrease excess copper in the liver, which will result in a decrease in the level of liver enzymes. Zinc causes the induction of metalothionines in the intestine, which in turn prevents absorption of copper from the digestive system. Zinc administration in Wilson's patients causes the depletion of copper deposits and constitutes one of the cornerstones in the treatment of this disease.