Zinc deficiency worsens ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats.
The effects of zinc deficiency on ethanol-induced ulcers were studied. Rats fed with zinc-deficient diets for 5 weeks showed markedly lowered serum zinc levels and body weights. Ethanol 30% given orally produced gastric mucosal lesions and reduced the glutathione content in the gastric glandular mucosa in their pair-fed non-zinc-deficient controls. Zinc deficiency potentiated the glutathione-depleting and ulcer-producing effects of ethanol. N-acetylcysteine, a sulfhydryl-containing agent, protected non-zinc-deficient rats from lesions produced by 50% ethanol, whereas N-ethylmaleimide, a sulfhydryl-blocking agent, worsened ulceration. It appears that zinc deficiency intensifies ethanol-induced ulceration by permitting greater depletion of the glutathione content in the stomach.
Cho
C H
CH
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong.
Fong
L Y
LY
Wong
S H
SH
Ogle
C W
CW
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005033:Ethylmaleimide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013270:Stomach / Q000032:analysis / Q000473:pathology; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
D000431:Ethanol; D005978:Glutathione; D015032:Zinc; D005033:Ethylmaleimide; D000111:Acetylcysteine