EFFECT OF SHORT TERM DIETARY ZINC DEFICIENCY AND ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION ON WISTAR RAT ERYTHROCYTE: BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES

Deficiency of zinc has been reported in developed and developing countries due to low zinc intake, which also accounts for crops grown in low zinc areas. 2 billion people still remain at risk of zinc deficiency affecting all age groups in spite of proven benefits of adequate zinc nutrition. The study evaluates the effect of dietary zinc deficiency on male Wistar rat erythrocytes for 2-, 4- and 6 weeks and 4 weeks zinc supplementation to the deficient groups. A significant decrease in the total protein of erythrocyte ghost membrane and erythrocyte cell suspension was recorded in zinc deficient groups. Increase (P< 0.05) in erythrocyte ghost membrane protein carbonyl, protein thiol, and lipid peroxidation (TBARS / induced) was observed. Erythrocyte cell suspension OH radical and hydroperoxide levels increased while α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid decreased in ZD groups. A decrease was observed in ghost membrane zinc concentration in zinc-deficient groups, while there was a gradual increase in copper level of ZD groups. Zinc supplementation studies revealed the same pattern of changes within its group /subgroups. There was an evident alteration in severity pattern when ZD group experiments were compared with dietary zinc supplementation experiments. Zinc deficiency from pre-pubertal age onwards revealed perturbations in the parameters indicative of radical generation and could be one factor contributing to oxidative stress which could lead to erythrocyte dysfunction. Zinc supplementation to zinc deficient group altered the severity to some extent (dose and duration dependent) indicating the essential role of zinc in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of erythrocytes.