Concentration of free calcium in erythrocytes and liver mitochondria of zinc-depleted rats.

Abstract

The concentration of Ca(2+)-ions in mitochondria and erythrocytes of zinc-depleted rats was determined with the fluorescent Ca(2+)-indicator fura-2. The zinc-concentration of the diet did not affect the mitochondrial Ca(2+)-concentration. There was an elevation of 5% for the Ca(2+)-concentration in erythrocytes of zinc-depleted and pair-fed rats compared to ad libitum-fed animals. The cause of this elevation could be ATP-depletion because of restricted food intake.