Decrease of brain zinc in experimental hepatic encephalography

Since zinc is an important factor in membrane stability, we assayed the levels of zinc in several brain areas during the development of hepatic encephalopathy due to D-galactosamine-HCl in rat. We now report that zinc is significantly reduced in all tested brain areas. This finding seems to indicate an involvement of zinc in the changes of membrane properties that lead to alteration of GABA receptors in hepatic encephalopathy.