ZINC, COPPER AND IRON LEVELS IN TISSUES OF THE VITAMIN-B-6 DEFICIENT RAT

Tissue zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) were determined in three g roups of young male Wistar rats that received a daily pyridoxine hydro chloride (PN.HCl) intake of 45, 23 and 0 mu g respectively in their di ets over 8 weeks. No significant differences were found in the Zn and Cu levels in the liver, kidney, skeletal and cardiac tissue of all 3 g roups. The Fe levels were significantly higher in the heart and liver and significantly lower in the skeletal muscle of the group receiving no PN.HCl in the diet (P < 0.05). This study indicates that the increa sed fecal excretion of Zn and Cu observed during a previous balance st udy on the above vitamin B-6 deficient group of animals may be due to a decreased absorption of these elements from the diet rather than the ir excretion from tissue stores. The changes in Fe levels in the heart , liver and skeletal muscle points towards some alteration in tissue s tores of this element during a vitamin B-6 deficiency.