Effect of vitamin B6 intake on tissue zinc levels in the rat

Effect of vitamin B6 intake on tissue zinc (Zn) concentrations was investigated in weanling, male Wistar albino rats (100-120 g). The animals were divided into two groups (n = 9) and treated for 4 weeks by intraperitoneal 5 mg/kg/day pyridoxine-HCl or placebo. The Zn content of the liver, spleen, right kidney and right femur were determined. Increases in weight gain in the control and Pyridoxine-treated group were 29.20 ± 1.43% and 51.20 ± 4.53%, respectively (P < 0.001). Dried weights of liver, kidney and femur were significantly higher than those of control group (p < 0.01; p < 0.02; p < 0.001, respectively). No significant difference was observed between the serum Zn concentrations of the experimental and control group (P > 0.05). The Zn content of the liver, spleen, kidney and femur for both total and dry weight per gram of organ weight were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to controls. These findings suggested that pyridoxine affects Zn metabolism in young rats.