Zinc Status and Interleukin-1β-Induced Alterations in Mineral Metabolism in Rats:

AbstractChanges in zinc (Zn) metabolism and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) release occur as part of the physiological response to tissue injury and trauma. In the present study, the influence of Zn status on the response to continuous low-dose IL-1β administration was evaluated. Rats were fed 50 μg Zn/g (adequate zinc; AZn) or 5 μg Zn/g (marginal zinc; MZn) diets for 14 days. On day 15, rats were infused via osmotic minipumps, with IL-1β (2.3 ng/hr) or saline (control, C) and euthanized 1, 3, or 7 days later. In the AZn rats, IL-1β infusion resulted in increased plasma copper (Cu) concentrations and ceruloplasmin (Cp) activity, and decreased iron (Fe) concentrations throughout the 7d period. These effects were most pronounced on d1 and d3. A similar trend was observed in the MZn rats, but IL-1β-induced increases in plasma Cu and Cp activity were less than in the AZn fed rats. In MZn and AZn IL-1β infused rats, plasma Zn was decreased on Day 1, and Day 3, respectively, compared with their respective controls. AZn ...