[Serum levels of zinc and copper and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in alcoholic patients].

Serum Zn and Cu levels were measured in 18 chronic alcoholic patients, without clinical signs of hepatic failure, and in 10 control subjects. Low serum Zn levels were observed in the alcoholics, probably due to the low protein ingestion of these individuals. Unlike the control group, no correlation was found between serum Zn and albumin levels in the experimental subjects. High levels of dietary Cu, mostly derived from wine, resulted in hypercupremia in the alcoholic patients. No significant changes in the erthrocyte activity of superoxide dismutase were observed.