EFFECT OF STARVATION AND UNDERNUTRITION ON ZINC DISTRIBUTION IN RATS

This study was aimed at establishing the effect of total 3-day starvat ion and that of 28-day food restriction (7-8 g standard pellet food da ily) on zinc levels in plasma and selected tissues of female Wistar ra ts. Zinc levels were determined in plasma, red blood cells, liver, and bones. The 3-day starvation led to a statistically significant decrea se in plasma, hepatic, and tibia zinc levels in comparison with the re spective levers in control animals fed standard pellet food ad libitum . The zinc concentration was also decreased in the liver and bones of rats fed the restricted diet, but they showed unaltered plasma values. No significant change in erythrocyte zinc was observed in either expe rimental group. The study demonstrated that the 3-day starvation and m ore prolonged undernutrition exerted marked effects on the organ distr ibution of zinc. In fast and undernutrition a regulatory system could be supposed that sustains the zinc distribution, according to the tiss ue priorities.