zinc-methionine and zinc-chloride

The effects of dietary zinc on the immune function of equines have not been evaluated in detail so far. In the present study, eight healthy adult ponies and two healthy adult horses were fed a diet supplemented with either zinc chloride hydroxide or zinc methionine in six feeding periods of four weeks each (according to maintenance zinc requirement, 120 mg zinc/kg dry matter, and 240 mg zinc/kg dry matter, for both dietary zinc supplements, respectively). All animals received the six diets, with increasing amounts of zinc chloride hydroxide in the feeding periods 1-3, and with increasing amounts of zinc methionine in the feeding periods 4-6. At the end of each feeding period, blood samples were collected for a blood profile and the measurement of selected immune variables. Increasing dietary zinc chloride hydroxide doses increased the glutathione concentrations in the erythrocyte concentrate and the glutathione peroxidase activity in the erythrocyte lysate, decreased the numbers of total leukocytes and granulocytes in the blood, and also decreased the interleukin-2 concentrations in the plasma of the animals. The dietary supplementation of increasing doses of zinc methionine enhanced the mitogen-stimulated proliferative activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and decreased the glutathione concentrations in the erythrocyte concentrate and the glutathione peroxidase activity in the plasma of the animals. The percentage of blood monocytes with oxidative burst after

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Antioxidants; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Escherichia coli; Glutathione; Glutathione Peroxidase; Horses; Hydroxides; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Methionine; Zinc; Zinc Compounds

Topics: Animals; Chlorides; Feces; Horses; Hydroxides; Methionine; Microbiota; Organometallic Compounds; Zinc; Zinc Compounds

Zinc (Zn) is recognized as an essential nutrient, and is added as a supplement to animal and human diets. There are claims that zinc methionine (ZnMet) forms a stable complex that is preferentially transported into tissues, and this has contributed to uncertainty about conflicting reports on the bioavailability of various Zn compounds. This study evaluated the cellular and intestinal uptake of inorganic and organic forms of Zn. Steady-state uptake of 65Zn by human intestine epithelial cells, and monkey kidney fibroblasts was not significantly different with zinc chloride (ZnCl2), ZnMet, or zinc propionate (ZnProp) (P > 0.05). Uptake of 65Zn from zinc chelated with EDTA was significantly lower (P < 0.01). In live mice, 65Zn uptake by perfused intestine and deposition in intestine and liver showed no significant difference between ZnCl2 and ZnMet. Equimolar [65Zn]methionine and zinc[35S]methionine were prepared according to a patented method that yields "complexed" Zn. Cellular uptake of the radiolabeled methionine was <0.1% of the radiolabeled Zn from these complexes, indicating separate uptake of the Zn and methionine. Gel filtration did not distinguish between 65Zn in ZnCl2, ZnProp, or reagent ZnMet, though feed-grade ZnMet containing >10% protein did give a higher-mol-wt form of 65Zn. Results of this study show equivalent uptake of Zn from inorganic and organic compounds, and support recent feed trials on Zn bioavailability.

Topics: Animals; Biological Availability; Cells, Cultured; Chlorides; Chlorocebus aethiops; Chromatography, Gel; Epithelial Cells; Fibroblasts; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa; Kidney; Methionine; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Organometallic Compounds; Propionates; Sulfur Radioisotopes; Zinc; Zinc Compounds; Zinc Radioisotopes