Biochemical and electron microscopic studies of rat skin during zinc deficiency

Effect of zinc deficiency on appetite and plasma amino acid concentrations in the rat

1. Levels of zinc in liver and plasma of the Zn-depleted rats fluctuated with the feeding cycle and were significantly higher at the bottom than at the top of the cycle. As Zn deficiency became more severe fluctuations in plasma Zn diminished. Concentrations of Zn in liver, in contrast to levels in plasma and femur, were not markedly lowered by day 15. 2. In contrast to ad lib-fed (AL) and overnight-fasted (OF) controls, some pair-fed (PF) controls had elevated levels of Zn in liver and plasma. 3. Intakes of water and food were significantly correlated in Zn-deficient rats. Packed cell volumes were significantly higher for Zn-depleted than for AL and PF rats. 4. Food intakes and plasma glucose concentrations were related in AL, OF and PF control rats but not in Zn-deficient rats. 5. At day 15 of Zn deficiency the order of total plasma amino acid concentrations in the groups of rats was AL greater than Zn-deficient greater than OF greater than PF. Many of the differences between the AL and OF groups for individual plasma amino acids also appeared in the Zn-deficient group at the top and bottom of the feeding cycle. Differences in individual amino acid concentrations at the top and bottom of the feeding cycle tended to be opposite in the PF and the Zn-deficient group. Levels of tyrosine and tryptophan in plasma were correlated (P less than 0.05) with the cyclic feeding pattern of the Zn-deficient group; however, the ratios tryptophan or tyrosine: sum of other large neutral amino acids did not correlate significantly with the eating habits of Zn-deficient rats.

Acrodermatitis enteropathica

Acrodermatisis enteropathical has had a remarkable hist orical course beginning only 35 years ago, first passing through a period of empiric management with the 8-hydroxyquinoline drugs and culminating with the discovery of a biochemical effect in zinc absorption. This accomplishment has not only resulted in the cure of a serious and often fatal disease, but has opened the way to an understanding of the vital role played by the trace element zinc in many previously unrecognized areas of human physiology.