A new zinc compound, beta-alanyl-L-histidinato zinc, stimulates bone growth in weanling rats

The effect of a new zinc compound. beta-alanyl-L-histidinato zinc (AHZ), on bone metabolism in weanling rats was investigated. Rats were orally administered AHZ (0.5-2.5 mg/100 g body weight) for 3 days, and 24h later they were killed. Administration of AHZ (1.0 and 2.5 mg/100 g) caused a significant increase of zinc content in the femoral diaphysis and a corresponding elevation of calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and DNA content. A dose of 0.5 mg/100g AHZ did not produce an appreciable increase in bone components. When zinc sulfate (0.55 mg Zn/100g) was orally administered in rats for 3 days, the bone zinc content, calcium content, and alkaline phosphatase activity were raised significantly, but bone DNA content was not appreciably affected. Thus, the stimulation of AHZ (2.5 mg/100g), which corresponds to 0.55 mg Zn/100g, on bone metabolism was more intensive than that of zinc sulfate. These results suggest that AHZ can stimulate bone growth in weanling rats, and that the compound has a greater effect in comparison with zinc sulfate.