Zinc metabolism in fasted rats.

The effects of short-term starvation on serum and tissue levels of zinc, metallothionein (MT), and the activity of alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1, ALP) were investigated with 6-month-old rats. The rats were fed a diet with adequate zinc (92mg/kg of Zn, 1.12% phytic acid) before they were starved for 0h (control), 12h, 24h, and 36h and then killed by decapitation. Fasting was accompanied by typical changes in serum parameters such as reduced glucose and protein concentrations, elevated ketogenesis, and a rapid breakdown of liver glycogen. Fasting did not alter serum zinc levels, but it did lead to a significant elevation in the percent of unsaturated serum-zinc binding capacity. Liver concentrations of zinc and MT, based both on fresh and dry weight, were increased throughout starvation. However, total liver zinc was reduced by up to 23% in response to fasting and total liver MT was slightly elevated. The increased concentrations of liver zinc and MT are, therefore, mainly a consequence of reduced liver weight. A part of the liver zinc, however, was bound to newly synthesized MT to prevent greater zinc loss. Starvation evoked no altered mucosa MT levels. Changes in kidney zinc and kidney medulla MT caused by starvation were small and not significant. In contrast to this observation some variation of kidney cortex MT was apparent. Starvation produced a permanent reduction of the serum and intestinal activity of ALP. In the liver and the medulla of the kidneys no significant differences of ALP activity could be observed. However, kidney cortex ALP was induced after 36h of fasting.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)