Vitamin B6 deficiency alters tissue iron concentrations in the Wistar rat.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the effect of a vitamin B6 deficiency and pair-feeding on tissue trace element status.


METHODS
Tissue zinc, copper and iron concentrations were measured in 3 groups of young, male Wistar rats receiving a diet of 3.5mg/kg (control group), 0mg/kg (deficient group) and a pair-fed group over 8 weeks. The pair-fed group received the same diet consumed by the control. Tissue trace element analysis was performed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and plasma vitamin B6 status was determined using HPLC.


RESULTS
Deficiency resulted in elevation in liver iron concentration and reduction in muscle iron concentration. Muscle copper concentrations were reduced in the pair-fed and deficient groups vs. the control group. Tissue zinc concentrations remained unaffected by the deficiency. Kidney iron and heart copper levels were elevated in the pair-fed group.


CONCLUSIONS
The liver and muscle iron changes were due to the deficiency and not to reduced calorie intake and the latter may be due to impaired heme synthesis. The differences in copper between the groups were due to reduced food intake. Zinc seems to form a fixed pool in these animals. A dietary deficiency of vitamin B6 impacts on the trace element status of certain tissues in key metabolic tissues and hence needs to be factored into the amelioration of the condition.
Mackraj
Irene
I
Discipline of Human Physiology and Physiological Chemistry, School of Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa. mackraji@ukzn.ac.za
Thirumala
Govender
G
Gathiram
Premjith
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism*; D026681:Vitamin B 6 Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism
D014131:Trace Elements; D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc