Influence of Reduced Food Intake on Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism in Zinc-Deficient Rats

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Abstract
The influence of reduced food intake on metabolism of liver phospholipids (PL) in zinc-deficient (ZD) rats was measured. Wealing male Long-Evans rats were fed ad libitum zinc-deficient (2 µg Zn/g diet) and zinc-adequate (20 µg Zn/g diet) diets for 21 days. A pair-fed (PF) group was included. ZD and PF rats displayed significantly increased levels of linoleic (18:2ω6) and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (20:3ω6). Both ZD and PF rats displayed increased levels of γ-linolenic acid (18:3ω6), but the increase was significant only in PF rats. ZD and PF rats displayed decreased levels of arachidonic acid (20:4ω6), but the decrease was significant only in PF rats. Both ZD and PF rats displayed significantly reduced levels of 22:5ω6. Both ZD and PF rats displayed increased products of Δ6 desaturation and decreased products of Δ5 and Δ4 desaturation. Significantly increased products of Δ9 desaturation were noted in both ZD and PF rats. ZD and PF rats displayed significant increases in C20 elongation products. ZD and PF rats displayed significantly decreased levels of ω6 metabolites but not total ω6 acids. ZD rats showed significantly increased levels of total ω3 acids and ω3 metabolites. ZD and PF rats showed significant increases in ω9 acids but not significant changes in ω9 metabolites. This study does not indicate that zinc affects the Δ6 desaturase in the metabolism of essential fatty acids. The aberrations previously attributed to zinc deficiency are probably due to the accompanying decreased food intake.