Relationship between zinc and prostaglandin metabolisms in plasma and small intestine of rats

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Abstract
The effect of zinc nutriture on levels of prostaglandin (PG) E2, F2α and 6-keto-PGF1α in the plasma and small intestine of rats, and that of PGE2 and PGF2α on unidirectional uptake of 65Zn by everted gut sac of rats was determined. When zinc was given intraperitoneally, plasma PGE2 and intestinal PGF2α levels increased, while the intestinal PGE2 and the plasma PGF2α and 6-keto-PGF1α levels decreased in accordance with the amount of zinc given. Oral administration of excess zinc increased intestinal PGE2, PGF2α and 6-keto-PGF1α levels and the plasma 6-keto-PGF1α levels. The intestinal levels of PGE2 increased significantly only in rats on zinc excess diet, and of PGF2α only in rats on a zinc deficient diet. The plasma PGE2 levels in rats on both zinc deficient and zinc excess diets increased but PGF2α levels in zinc deficient rats were greatly reduced compared to controls. Unidirectional zinc uptake by everted gut sac of the rat is also enhanced by PG metabolites. These results are consistent with the view that PGs participate in regulating the zinc transport mechanism in small intestine.