Effect of zinc or copper status on the conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A

Conference · Thu Mar 14 23:00:00 EST 1991 · FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (United States)

OSTI ID:5213007

Dulin, A M; Smith, Jr, J C; Bieri, J G ^[1]

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1. Dept. of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD (United States)

Studies were performed to determine the effect of copper or zinc status on beta-carotene (BC) conversion to vitamin A (VA) as measured by total liver VA. Weanling rats were randomly assigned by weight to one of the following diets: Cu deficient, ({approximately}1ppm Cu); Cu adequate, (pair-fed); Cu adequate, (ad lib); Zn deficient, (marginal ({approximately}5 ppm Zn)); Zn adequate, (pair-fed); and Zn adequate, (ad lib). Two pups from each group were sacrificed at weaning to determine baseline Cu or Zn and VA status. To deplete liver stores, all diets were VA deficient. After 4 wk, 6 rats in each group were sacrificed to confirm Cu or Zn and VA depletion. Diets were then supplemented with BC for 2 wk. The remaining rats were sacrificed and Cu or Zn and VA status determined. Body wts were similar for deficient and pair-fed animals within Cu and Zn groups. Cu deficiency did not affect conversion of BC to VA. Pair-fed +Zn rats had higher total VA stores than {minus}Zn rats, 75 and 59 ug/liver, respectively (NS), but liver VA was significantly higher in +Zn rats, 17.5 and 11.2 ug/g, respectively. The data indicate that Zn but not Cu deficiency may alter conversion of BC to VA.

• OSTI ID: 5213007
• Report Number(s): CONF-9104107--
• Journal Information: FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (United States), Journal Name: FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (United States) Vol. 5:5; ISSN 0892-6638; ISSN FAJOE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COPPER
DIET
ELEMENTS
MAMMALS
METABOLISM
METALS
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
RATS
RODENTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES
VITAMIN A
VITAMINS
ZINC