DIETARY ZINC DEPLETION WORSENS THE OUTCOME OF ACUTE MYOCARDIAL ISCHAEMIA

Zinc (Zn) supplementation in acute myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) is cardioprotective, however the effect of dietary Zn deficiency on I/R outcomes is unknown. Furthermore, Zn deficiency leads to VSMC apoptosis, but its effect on vascular function has not been determined. The aims of this study were therefore to determine the effect of a Zn deficient diet in rats on the outcome of I/R and ex vivo vascular function. Male rats were allocated to one of three groups: 1) Zn adequate (ZA) diet (35mg Zn/kg) fed ad libitum; 2) Zn deficient (ZD) diet (