Enzyme activities in the epidermis of zinc-deficient rats.

Fifteen enzymes participating in epidermal energy metabolism in zinc-deficient and -supplemented rats were assayed utilizing fluorometric microchemical techniques. In the zinc-deficient group, the activities of six enzymes catalyzing glycolysis decreased by 30 to 50% of the control; the most dramatic decreases were found in phosphofructokinase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Zinc deficiency caused a 31% decrease in the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, a 63% decrease in fumarate hydratase, a 46% decrease in glutamate dehydrogenase, and a 30 to 40% decrease in aminotransferases.