Journal article

Publication year: 1996

Pages: 60-65

Journal: Trace Elements and Electrolytes

Volume number: 13

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0174-7371

Publisher: Dustri-Verlag

Abstract: 
The present paper reviews the effects of zinc deficiency on concentrations of lipids in liver and plasma of rats. Results originate either from classical zinc deficiency experiments or from experiments with force-fed rats. Classical zinc deficiency experiments have the disadvantage that zinc-deficient rats largely reduce food intake, and therefore the effects of zinc deficiency on lipid metabolism are confounded by low food intake. This disadvantage can be overcome by force-feeding rats sufficient quantities of a zinc-deficient diet. Experiments with force-fed rats have shown that the effect of zinc deficiency on concentrations of hepatic lipids depends on the type of dietary fat. Feeding a zinc-deficient diet with predominately coconut oil causes a fatty liver characterized by largely elevated concentrations of triglycerides with saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids compared with control rats. in contrast, feeding zinc-deficient diets with linseed oil or fish oil does not produce a fatty liver. Since zinc deficiency also affects the regulation of hepatic lipogenic enzymes it is probable that the fatty liver in zinc-deficient rats is due to increased lipogenesis. Additionally, experimental data indicate that secretion of lipids from liver into blood may be impaired by zinc deficiency. Zinc-deficient rats force-fed different types of dietary fat develop hyperlipidemia which may be a compensatory way to avoid triglyceride accumulation in the liver. In contrast to force-fed rats, rats consuming a zinc-deficient diet ad libitum do not gain a fatty liver. This may be due to the low food intake in those rats which suppresses hepatic lipogenic enzymes. The results about the effects of zinc deficiency on concentrations of lipids in plasma of rats fed ad libitum zinc-deficient diets are not consistent. However, most of the studies point to a hypolipidemia in zinc-deficient rats which is in contradiction to results in force-fed rats.

Harvard Citation style: Eder, K. and Kirchgeßner, M. (1996) Effects of zinc deficiency on concentrations of lipids in liver and plasma of rats, Trace Elements and Electrolytes, 13(2), pp. 60-65

APA Citation style: Eder, K., & Kirchgeßner, M. (1996). Effects of zinc deficiency on concentrations of lipids in liver and plasma of rats. Trace Elements and Electrolytes. 13(2), 60-65.