Urinary Excretion of Radiosulfur Following Taurine- 35 S Injection in Zinc Deficient Rats

Abstract

Summary

The effect of zinc deficiency on taurine oxidation was studied by comparing the amounts of labeled-³⁵S found in urinary inorganic sulfate and taurine following injection of taurine-³⁵S into zinc-deficient and zinc-supplemented rats. The results show that rats receiving a diet low in zinc excreted significantly more ³⁵S, more ³⁵SO₄ ^2- and taurine-³⁵S than control animals. These findings suggest zinc deficiency enhanced the rate of taurine oxidation. This conclusion is supported by data showing a significant increase in excretion of 24 hr urinary ¹⁴C by zinc-deficient rats over zinc-supplemented control rats following injection of taurine-1,2-¹⁴C. The radioactivity in the fecal lipid extract was not affected by zinc deficiency, indicating that zinc-deficient rats were capable of forming taurine-bile acid conjugate.