EFFECT OF ZINC-DEFICIENCY ON LIPID-PEROXIDATION STATUS AND INFARCT SIZE IN RAT HEARTS

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary z inc on endogenous production of lipid peroxides, and on myocardial inf arct size in rats. Male rats were fed a zinc-deficient diet containing 4 ppm zinc, or a standard diet containing 60 ppm zinc. After 3 weeks of diet, half of the animals underwent occlusion of the left coronary artery. The remaining animals underwent sham operation without occlusi on. Forty-eight hours later, the hearts were sampled and lipid peroxid e levels and infarct size were evaluated. Coronary occlusion was assoc iated with an increase in cardiac lipid peroxide levels which were mor e pronounced in the zinc deficient group. However, infarct size appear ed to be independent from zinc deficiency, despite the free radical-me diated lipid peroxide augmentation reported here. The pharmacological limitation of infarct size in rats with permanent coronary occlusion i s discussed.