Relationships between iron and zinc metabolism: predictive value of digestive absorption on tissue storage.

The responses of animals to intake of a trace element could vary if it is ingested with a single test meal or due to chronic intake. The metabolic relationships between zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) were assessed in the young animal by comparing their digestive absorption studied at the beginning of the study with their tissue storage after two months of being fed on experimental diet. Diets supplied adequate intakes of Fe (45 and 300mg/kg diet) and Zn (14 and 45 mg/kg). A significant effect of Fe supply (p < 0.0001) but not of Zn was displayed on Fe absorption; both Fe and Zn diet concentrations influenced Zn absorption (p < 0.01, p < 0.0001). Fe and Zn organ contents significantly correlated with the amount absorbed during the metabolic balance (p < 0.0001). There was a positive correlation between liver, bone, and muscle Fe and Fe absorption (mg/d)(p < 0.0001), and Fe absorption and bone and muscle Zn (p < 0.04) and a negative one with liver Zn (p < 0.0001); a positive correlation was displayed between Zn absorption (mg/d) and Zn organ content (p < 0.0001). There was no correlation between Zn absorption and Fe tissue content (p > 0.05). This study suggests that interactions occur at every step of Fe and Zn metabolism; Fe is more efficient in altering Zn storage than the reverse. The organism seems to be unable to diminish the consequences of an unbalanced diet and digestive absorption. Care must be taken to give the young growing balanced diets.

Effect of small variations of aluminum intake on calcium metabolism in young rats.

BACKGROUND: While in the adult Al intoxication requires high dosages, little is known on the threshold level of Al toxicity in the young. METHODS: Weaning rats were fed for 90 days ore of four diets differing by their content in Ca (7.5 vs < 0.5 g/< g diet)(Ca+/-) and Al (10.6 vs 8.4 mg/kg)(Al+/-); Al supplementation was 30% above the standard level of diet. Ca and Al levels were measured in liver, bone (femur), and brain. RESULTS: Ca- had a significant negative effect on growth which was further reduced by Al+; in Ca sufficient/Al+ animals, Al concentrations were significantly increased in bone and brain and tended to increase in liver; Ca decreases observed in these three organs were only significant in brain. Ca deficiency further enhanced the Al deposit in bone at both levels of Al intakes, and reduced Ca concentrations in these three organs in Al+ animals; in Ca-/Al- animals, the decrease in Ca displayed in the three tissues reached a significant level in brain. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in the growing subject the side effects of small variations of Al intake can be enhanced when they are combined with other mineral imbalances.

Determination of metallothioneins by HPLC: application to zinc metabolism.

Metallothioneins (MT) are well known Zn and Cu tissue proteins. Their level is mainly regulated by Zn. Therefore, they have been suggested as an index of Zn status. The determination of MT has been performed by HPLC (fitted with UV-detector) following a preparation phase (heating, ultracentrifugation and filtration). This method allows direct quantification of MT in tissues and shows a good correlation between MT concentrations and peak heights (r2 = 0.995; a = 774.73; b = -148.38) from 0 to 10 micrograms/100 microL. MT determination by RP-HPLC method allows to assess the tissue zinc status as displayed by the correlation between hepatic zinc and metallothionein concentrations (r2 = 0.82; p < 0.001). Variations of MT in response to Zn intakes are observed within 24 hours and for a physiological range of dietary Zn intakes.