Zinc, copper and iron balance in the vitamin B-6-deficient rat
Channa, M.L.; Burger, F.J.; Ubbink, J.B.; Reinach, S.G.
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Internationale Zeitschrift für Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal International de Vitaminologie et de Nutrition 64(3): 204-211
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9831 PMID: 7814236 Document Number: 431071
Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) balance was assessed over 8 weeks in 3 groups of young male Wistar rats receiving a daily pyridoxine hydrochloride (PN-HCl) intake of 45, 23 and 0 micrograms respectively. Although all 3 groups remained in a positive balance throughout the study the Zn and Cu balance, growth and food intake was significantly lower in the group receiving no PN-HCl (p < 0.05). The lowered Zn and Cu balance in this group resulted from a decreased food intake coupled with an increased excretion of Zn and Cu. The group receiving 23 micrograms/d of PN-HCl showed no significant difference in growth, food intake and Zn and Cu balance when compared to the group receiving 45 micrograms/d, indicating that subminimal levels of vitamin may still be exerting beneficial effects on the balance of these trace elements.