title: Zinc, copper and iron balance in the vitamin B-6-deficient rat.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Human Physiology and Physiological Chemistry, University of Durban-Westville, South Africa.
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Channa
authors: F J
authors: FJ
authors: Burger
authors: J B
authors: JB
authors: Ubbink
authors: S G
authors: SG
authors: Reinach
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D004435:Eating; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D026681:Vitamin B 6 Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D015430:Weight Gain; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc; D011736:Pyridoxine