Time dependent study to evaluate the efficacy of zinc on hepatic marker enzymes and elemental profile in serum and liver of protein deficient rats

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the time dependent protective effects of zinc sulfate on the serum and liver marker enzymes along with elemental profile in protein deficient Sprague Dawley (S.D.) female rats. Zinc sulfate in the dose of 227 mg/l in drinking water was administered to normal control as well as protein deficient rats for a total duration of 8 weeks. The effects of different treatments were studied on enzymes like alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferases (AST) and alanine aminotransferases (ALT) in rat serum at different time intervals of 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks and in the rat liver at the end of study. The status of different essential elements in liver was also studied. The serum ALP activity got significantly depressed when estimated at the intervals of 4 and 8 weeks. Activity of serum ALT was significantly increased after 4 weeks interval in protein deficient rats and the increasing trend continued upto 8 weeks of protein deficiency. On the other hand, activity of AST showed a significant increase just after 2 weeks and activity continued to be increased up to 8 weeks. Moreover activities of all the hepato marker enzymes showed a significant increase in liver of protein deficient rats. Interestingly, supplementation of Zn to protein deficient rats helped in regulating the altered activities of ALP, AST and ALT both in serum and liver. However, zinc treatment alone to normal rats did not indicate any significant change in the activities of all the enzymes in liver as well serum except at the interval of 2 weeks where a marginal increase in the activity of AST was seen. It has also been observed that concentrations of zinc, copper, iron and selenium were found to be decreased significantly in protein deficient animals. However, the levels of these elements came back to within normal limits when zinc was administered to protein deficient rats.

Oxidative-antioxidant status of Fasciola hepatica-infected rats supplemented with zinc. A mathematical model for zinc bioaccumulation and host growth

“…A prolonged Zn treatment almost normalized the Zn balance leading to increased SOD and GPX activity in control and infected animals. Our results are in a good agreement with those of Sidhu et al (2005) who established protective effects of Zn. These authors have studied the effects of Zn supplementation on antioxidant enzymes CAT, GPX, GR, and SOD in rat liver.…”

Altered Uptake and Biological Half-Lives of 65Zn on Arsenic Exposure—Modulation by Zinc Treatment

“…This may be due to the ability of zinc to compete with arsenic absorption at the intestinal levels, leading to its later retention. This has been depicted in the previous studies which illustrate the ability of zinc to inhibit the uptake of heavy metals like cadmium and nickel [41,42]. On the other hand, zinc levels were significantly down in the liver of arsenic-treated rats, which further supports the accumulation of arsenic and lower levels of metallothionein.…”

Tissue Mineral Distributions are Differentially Modified by Dietary Protein Deficiency and a Murine Nematode Infection

“…In the absence of infection, the impact of protein deficiency on body mineral distribution has been studied almost exclusively in the liver, where the findings are surprisingly inconsistent. Reduced liver zinc concentrations were found in most animal studies [14][15][16], except that of Kilicalp et al [17] who showed no change. Whereas some authors have reported lower copper [15,16] concentrations in livers of protein-deficient rats, others have demonstrated no change of copper, manganese [17,18], calcium, and magnesium concentrations [17].…”

“…Reduced liver zinc concentrations were found in most animal studies [14][15][16], except that of Kilicalp et al [17] who showed no change. Whereas some authors have reported lower copper [15,16] concentrations in livers of protein-deficient rats, others have demonstrated no change of copper, manganese [17,18], calcium, and magnesium concentrations [17]. Higher liver iron concentrations have been detected in several studies [16][17][18], but one study reported no change [15].…”

“…Whereas some authors have reported lower copper [15,16] concentrations in livers of protein-deficient rats, others have demonstrated no change of copper, manganese [17,18], calcium, and magnesium concentrations [17]. Higher liver iron concentrations have been detected in several studies [16][17][18], but one study reported no change [15]. Such inconsistencies may be related to mineral malabsorption, excessive mineral utilization against oxidative stress [19], or antagonistic effects between minerals [20].…”