Tissue Malondialdehyde Levels in Zinc Deficient Rats

Free radicals have recently acquired great importance in pathogenesis of an array of diseases. In this report we present the results of two series of rat experiments in which tissue concentrations of malondialdehyde and zinc were investigated. In the first series of experiments the animals were given normal rat chow and tap water ad lib while the second group received zinc deficient diet and deionized water. Signs of zinc deficiency developed beginning the end of two weeks at which time the animals were sacrificed and the samples taken. Tissue zinc and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were determined.
It was found that the zinc content in the kidney and the liver was significantly reduced in the experimental group (p<0.05). MDA concentrations were however higher in the brain and the heart of the experimental animals (p<0.05).