Changes in the activities of three diagnostic enzymes in the heart of rats following the consumption of diets deficient in zinc and essential fatty acids.

Changes in the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in the heart following the consumption of diets deficient in zinc and essential fatty acids (EFA) by rats were investigated. The study was a 2 x 2 factorial design in which rats were fed diets deficient in zinc (5 micrograms/g) or EFA (4% hydrogenated coconut oil) or both. The control diet was adequate in both zinc (100 micrograms/g) and EFA (4% soybean oil). The experimental diets were fed for forty-two days after which time the activities of the enzymes were terminally determined in the heart of the rats. The result showed that the activity of ALP was markedly elevated in rats consuming either zinc or EFA deficient diet and slightly in the group deficient in both EFA and zinc. LDH and GDH activities were significantly depressed by EFA only. An interactive effect of zinc and EFA was indicated only for ALP activity. The data indicate a resistance of cardiac tissue to moderate zinc deficiency. However, the effects of EFA were apparent.