Iowa State University
College of Human Sciences and College of Agriculture College of Human Sciences College of Agriculture


Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition

Ruth MacDonald - Biological Role of Zinc

 


image of Dr. Boyd O'Dell
In collaboration with Dr. Boyd O'Dell we have examined the cellular role of zinc that mediates the inhibition of food intake and growth seen with zinc deficiency. In cell lines, we found evidence that zinc depletion prevents IGF-1 signaling associated with cell division. We have observed that maintaining circulating IGF-1 concentrations in rats with mini-osmotic pumps during zinc depletion failed to prevent growth inhibition, or anorexia. Rats fed zinc-deficient diets become anorexic within 4 days. We found that administration of megestrol acetate improved food intake, but not growth in zinc-depleted rats. Furthermore, rats fed zinc deficient diets failed to respond (increase food intake) to intracerebral ventricular injection of neuropeptide Y, suggesting a potential defect in this signaling pathway.

In current work we are collaborating with Dr. Bernhard Hennig, University of Kentucky on a project related to the role of zinc in the immune system.

Related Publications:


  • Browning JD, MacDonald RS, Thornton WH, Jr., O'Dell BL. Reduced food intake in zinc deficient rats is normalized by megesterol acetate but not by insulin-like growth factor-I. Journal of Nutrition 128:136-142, 1998.
  • MacDonald RS, Wollard-Biddle LC, Browning JD, Thornton WH Jr, O'Dell BL. Zinc deprivation of 3T3 cells by use of diethylenetrinitrilopentaacetate impairs DNA synthesis upon stimulation with insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I). Journal of Nutrition, 128:1600-1605, 1998.
  • Thornton WH Jr, MacDonald RS, Wollard-Biddle LC, Browning JD, O'Dell BL. Chelation of extracellular zinc inhibits proliferation in 3T3 cells independent of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor expression. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, 219(1):64-68, 1998.
  • MacDonald, RS. Role of zinc in cell growth and proliferation. Journal of Nutrition.(review) Journal of Nutrition 130:1500S-1508S, 2000
  • Williamson P, Browning JD, Sullivan MJ, O'Dell BL, MacDonald RS. Neurepeptide Y fails to normalize food intake in zinc deficient rats. Nutritional Neurosciences, 5:19-25, 2002.
  • Williamson P, Browning JD, O'Dell BL, MacDonald RS. Megestrol acetate stimulates food intake in zinc deficient female but not male rats. Physiology and Behavior, 75:323-330, 2002.

Breast Cancer | Prostate Cancer | Colon Cancer | Biological Role of Zinc
Food Science and Human Nutrition