Dietary zinc deficiency and fatty acid metabolism rats

Several clinical features of zinc deficiency in rats are similar to those of essential fatty acid deficiency suggesting a role of zinc in fatty acid metabolism. In order to find out the role of zinc in fatty acid metabolism, several zinc deficiency studies in rats have been carried out. The results of those studies are reviewed in this paper with respect to the effects of zinc deficiency on the desaturation of fatty acids, the incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids into tissue lipids and the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes. Zinc deficiency experiments indicate that zinc plays a role in Delta 5 and Delta 6 desaturation although there are some reports that did not support such a function of zinc. The effects of zinc deficiency on Delta 9 desaturation are contradictory. Some results suggested that zinc deficiency increased Delta 9 desaturation, while others suggested reduced Delta 9 desaturation. Phospholipids of zinc deficient rats contained higher amounts of (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids and lower amounts of (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids, suggesting that zinc deficiency influences the incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids into phospholipids. In contrast, zinc deficiency had only slight effects on the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes. Consequences of changes in fatty acid metabolism by zinc deficiency may include synthesis of eicosanoids and properties of membranes.