Zinc Deficiency in Rats and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Activity: Comparative Effects on Lung and Testis

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Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare the effect of zinc deficiency on the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in lung and testis of rats. Two groups of 32-d-old male albino rats were fed ad libitum or pair-fed a low zinc (P < 0.001) than that in the zinc-adequate controls. On the other hand, lung ACE activity of deficient rats was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that of controls. Pair-feeding had no significant effect on ACE activity in testes, but lung ACE activity was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in pair-fed than in ad libitum-fed controls. Pair-feeding of the deficient diet had no effect. Low ACE activity in testes of zinc-deficient rats may be the result of under development of the germinal epithelium. The cause of elevated ACE activity in lungs of deficient rats is not apparent.