Zinc deficiency decreases plasma erythropoietin concentration in rats

Authors: Konomi, Aki; Yokoi, Katsuhiko

Source: Biological Trace Element Research, Volume 107, Number 3, December 2005 , pp. 289-292(4)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $42.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

In 1985, Paterson and Bettger found hypoplastic hematopoiesis in severely zinc-deficient rats. Therefore, we investigated plasma erythropoietin concentration in zinc-deficient rats. Forty 4-wk-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into 4 dietary treatment groups of 10 for the 4-wk study: zinc-deficient group (4.5 mg zinc and 35 mg iron/kg; −Zn), iron-deficient group (30 mg zinc/kg, no supplemental iron; −Fe), zinc/iron-deficient group (4.5 mg zinc/kg, no supplemental iron; −Zn−Fe), and control group (AIN-93G; Cont). Water intake determined at d 19 was similar among all treatment groups. At d 27-28, bioimpedance was measured. The intracellular water/extracellular water ratio was significantly increased in the −Zn group (p<0.05). Compared to the Cont, group, the plasma erythropoietin concentration was increased by iron deficiency and decreased by zinc deficiency (p<0.01). Hematocrit was significantly decreased in both the −Fe and −Zn−Fe groups and was significantly increased in the −Zn group (p<0.01). Transferrin saturation in the −Fe and −Zn−Fe groups was significantly lower than the Cont group (p<0.01), and that of the −Zn group was highest among all groups. The low plasma erythropoietin concentration might account for depressed hematopoiesis associated with zinc deficiency.

Keywords: Erythropoietin; zinc deficiency; hemoglobin; hematocrit; rats

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1385/BTER:107:3:289

Affiliations: 1: Department of Human Nutrition, Seitoku University Graduate School Matsudo, 271-8555, Chiba, Japan,

Publication date: 2005-12-01