Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Hepatic Enzymes in Healthy Rats

Zinc ion is the second essential element in living organisms and is necessary for lots of enzymes activity e. g. alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. This ion also takes part in biological processes as human growth, immune response, and nerve function. Zinc deficiency causes significant decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase or increase in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activity. Increase in these two later enzymes, in turn, is an indicator of tissue damage even though there are controversies among researchers. Accordingly, we decided to study the effect of 0. 6 gm/L of zinc sulfate in drinking water in a period of 3 months treatment on serum activities of hepatic enzymes in adult rats. Twenty female rats were selected in two equal groups as control and treated groups. For a period of three months, zinc sulfate dissolved in tap water was used to drink by the treated group while the control group drank tap water. Both groups had full access to pellet food during this study. Serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphates and lactate dehydrogenase were measured finally. Zinc sulfate significantly decreased alanine aminotransferase while it showed no effects on the three other enzymes. Dietary zinc sulfate not only exerts no damage to liver but also as food supplement seems to have protective effect on this organ.