Relationship between zinc and cellulose intakes in growing rats

We have studied the effect of cellulose on the intestinal absorption of zinc and its metabolism with weanling male rats. Experimental diets were cellulose (5, 8 or 20%) and noncellulose containing normal zinc (AIN-76 mineral mix., 3.0 mg%) or high zinc (10 times of normal, 30 mg%). Weanling rats fed on these diets ad libitum for 16-42 days. There were no significant differences between noncellulose-feeding and cellulose-feeding groups in body weight gain or protein and DNA concentrations in the liver. The inhibitory effect of 20% cellulose on zinc absorption was observed in the long term experiment, as the concentrations of plasma zinc of the group receiving 20% cellulose were decreased significantly more than that of noncellulose-feeding group.