Zinc deficiency and the kidney. I. Effect on renal carbonic anhydrase activity
Ross, P.K.; Noordewier, B.; Hook, J.B.; Bond, J.T.
Mineral and Electrolyte Metabolism 7(5): 257-264
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0378-0392 PMID: 6820475 Document Number: 187219
Tissue Zn concentration and the activity of the Zn metalloenzyme, carbonic anhydrase, were quantified in whole blood and kidneys of weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats with diet-induced Zn deficiency. Zn-deficient rats were fed ad lib a commercially prepared diet containing < 1 ppm Zn. Zn-supplemented rats were ad lib or pair-fed a control diet containing 60 ppm Zn. All animals were fed their respective diets for 3-6 wk. Body and kidney growth were severely compromised after 3 and 6 wk of feeding the Zn-deficient diet. Plasma and kidney Zn concentrations were significantly decreased in Zn-deficient animals after 6 wk. While whole blood carbonic anhydrase activity of Zn-deficient rats was significantly greater than Zn-supplemented animals after 6 wk, no differences in renal carbonic anhydrase activity were found between Zn-deficient animals and pair-fed controls. Zn deficiency imposed at weaning in rats may be a contributing factor to retarded kidney maturation and alterations in blood carbonic anhydrase activity.