Influence of dietary picolinic acid on mineral metabolism in the rat.

Male rats were fed isonitrogenous, isocaloric diets containing different amounts of dietary zinc and picolinic acid (PA) (25, 60, 120 ppm Zn, 0, 20, 40, 60 mmol PA/kg diet) and balance collections of urine and faeces made over a 4-day period. Rats fed 25 ppm Zn were in negative Zn and Cu balance during the experiment. Faecal Zn, but not urinary Zn excretion was elevated with increasing dietary Zn supply. Urinary Zn, Cu and Mg excretion increased with increasing intakes of dietary PA, regardless of Zn intake. Tissue Zn levels were unaffected by dietary Zn or PA. It is concluded that dietary PA forms soluble complexes with metal ions which are rapidly absorbed but are then re-excreted in urine and may not be available for metabolism or incorporation into tissues.