Zinc concentration in different tissues of infected mice with Giardia intestinalis

Abstract

It is well recognized the association of giardiasis with malnutrition and micronutrients malabsorption, but the link giardiasis caused by Giardia intestinalis with low serum zinc levels in children remains controversial. The lack of knowledge on the adequate zinc levels in different human tissues may is contributing to the poor understanding of the mentioned link. Therefore, the assessment of the association between zinc content in different tissues of Giardia ‐infected mice may provides new knowledge about the interaction giardiasis‐zinc in humans. To assess and to associate the zinc content in tissues of the small intestine, liver, kidneys, testes, long bones and serum of Giardia‐infected mice. Seventy two CD1 mice were randomly categorized (males 4–5 weeks) based on the dietary zinc requirements (low, 12.8 Zn mg/kg diet; normal, 24.6 Zn mg/kg; high, 57.9 Zn mg/kg and very high, 309.3 Zn mg/kg) (groups of n=20, n=20, n=20, n=12). Subsequently half of each group was categorized in Giardia‐infected and Giardia‐free groups (6 groups of n=10 and 2 groups of n=6). The tissue samples were obtained at 0 and 30 days post‐infection. Zinc concentrations were determined by atomic absorption. All statistical analysis were performed using NCSS (2002) at level of α= 0.05%.. Giardiasis had a negative effect on zinc concentrations in serum, testes, kidney, small intestine and long bones (p < 0.05) at 30 days post‐infection. However, no change was found in the liver tissue (p > 0.05). Zinc homeostasis apparently plays a key role in regulating the zinc tissue contents in mice, despite of the low dietary zinc. In addition, giardiasis was a risk factor associated to the low zinc content in different mice tissue