Trace element status in alcoholism before and during disulfiram treatment

Trace element status was ascertained in 19 alcoholic patients under long-term treatment with disulfiram and in 12 alcoholic patients treated for the first time; the latter group was re-examined after four weeks of treatment. Both groups were compared to matched controls with a moderate alcohol intake. The copper/zinc ratio in serum was increased in the patients under long-term treatment, and a significant decrease occurred during the first four weeks of treatment in the second group. Blood lead was slightly increased in the second group, but not in the patients under long-term treatment. Blood cadmium was high in both groups, perhaps related to excessive tobacco smoking. Blood mercury concentrations were uniformly low. Urinary nickel excretion in the first group was above reference values, and an increase was seen in the second group during the treatment period. Although trace element concentrations in body fluids may not reflect tissue levels, the results support the notion that trace element balances are influenced by alcoholism and disulfiram treatment.