Zinc deficiency negatively affects alkaline phosphatase and the concentration of Ca, Mg and P in rats

• Published in: Nutrition research and practice Vol. 1; no. 2; pp. 113 - 119
• Main Authors: Cho, Young-Eun, Lomeda, Ria-Ann R., Ryu, Sang-Hoon, Sohn, Ho-Yong, Shin, Hong-In, Beattie, John H., Kwun, In-Sook
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 한국영양학회 01.01.2007; The Korean Nutrition Society and The Korean Society of Community Nutrition
• Subjects: Original Research; 생활과학; alkaline phosphatase; bone-related minerals(Ca, P, Mg); rats; Zinc; bone-related minerals (Ca, P, Mg)
• ISSN: 1976-1457; 2005-6168; 2005-6168
• DOI: 10.4162/nrp.2007.1.2.113

Zn is an essential nutrient that is required in humans and animals for many physiological functions, including immune and antioxidant function, growth, and reproduction. The present study evaluated whether Zn deficiency would negatively affect bone-related enzyme, ALP, and other bone-related minerals (Ca, P and Mg) in rats. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to one of the three different Zn dietary groups, such as Zn adequate (ZA, 35 mg/kg), pair fed (PF, 35 mg/kg), Zn deficient (ZD, 1 mg/kg) diet, and fed for 10 weeks. Food intake and body weight were measured daily and weekly, respectively. ALP was measured by spectrophotometry and mineral contents were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrophotometer (ICP-MS). Zn deficient rats showed decreased food intake and body weight compared with Zn adequate rats (p<0.05). Zn deficiency reduced ALP activity in blood (RBC, plasma) and the tissues (liver, kidney and small intestine) (p<0.05). Also, Zn deficiency reduced mineral concentrations in rat tissues (Ca for muscle and liver, and Mg for muscle and liver) (p<0.05). The study results imply the requirement of proper Zn nurture for maintaining bone growth and formation.