Disturbance of the antioxidative-oxidative balance is a predisposing factor in the development of a variety of diseases. Microelements, including zinc and copper, are components of active enzyme regions participating in anti-oxidative systems. Patients with malabsorption syndrome may suffer from diseases related to the chronic deficiency of micro- and macroelements and vitamins, but also experience health problems due to an impaired antioxidative plasma defence, i.e. illnesses caused by oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to assess zinc and copper concentrations as well as the total antioxidant capacity of blood plasma in 33 patients hospitalized in the Department of Internal Medicine, Metabolic Diseases and Dietetics, presenting symptoms of intestinal malabsorption such as weight loss, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Blood donors made up the control group. Statistically significantly lower concentrations of zinc and copper were found in the study group as compared to the control group for women and men together as well as for women and for men separately (p

20(4)2015