The effect of exercise and zinc supplement on the hematological parameters in rats

• Published in: Biological trace element research Vol. 39; no. 1; p. 13
• Main Authors: Cordova, A, Navas, F.J, Escanero, J.F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.1993
• Subjects: ABSORCION DE SUSTANCIAS NUTRITIVAS; ABSORPTION DE SUBSTANCES NUTRITIVES; Acidosis - etiology; Acidosis - prevention & control; ACTIVIDAD FISICA; ACTIVITE PHYSIQUE; Animals; BLOOD; Blood Cells - drug effects; CINC; Erythrocytes - drug effects; HEMATOLOGY; Male; MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS; MINERALES; MINERALS; MINERAUX; NUTRIENT UPTAKE; PHYSICAL ACTIVITY; Physical Conditioning, Animal; RAT; RATA; RATS; Rats, Wistar; SANG; SANGRE; ZINC; Zinc - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0163-4984; 1559-0720
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02783805

This study evaluates the consequences of a session of intensive short-duration exercise and Zn supplementation on different hematological variables. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 10): the first nonsupplemented, maintained at rest (R); the second nonsupplemented, undergoing exercise (E); the third supplemented with Zn, kept at rest (ZnR); and the fourth supplemented with Zn, undergoing exercise (ZnE). Zinc supplements (200 ppm) were given in drinking water. The exercise consisted of a single session of swimming until exhaustion. At rest, RBC, Hb, and Hto fell (p < 0.05), whereas red cell indices, MCV, and MCH rose (p < 0.05) in +ZnR compared with R; MCHC remained unchanged (ZnR vs R). After exercise, RBC, Hb, and Hto increased significantly in E and in ZnE compared with R and ZnR, respectively. In addition, RBC and Hb were lower (p < 0.01) in ZnE compared with E; however, MCV and MCH were higher (p < 0.05) in the group ZnE vs E. With respect to white blood cells--leukocytes (WBC), lymphocytes (LYMPH), and neutrophils (NEUT)--no significant differences were observed between groups at rest (ZnR vs R). WBC and LYMPH increased significantly in E with respect to the rest situation (E vs R), but this did not happen in supplemented animals (ZnE vs ZnR). Level of pH decreased after exercise both in E and in ZnE, but the fall was lower in the latter. We believe that a single session of swimming until exhaustion leads to an increase in RBC, Hb, and Hto without causing changes in MCV, MCH, and MCHC.