Altered [65Zn]chloride accumulation by aged rats' adipocytes in vitro

Accumulation of [65Zn]chloride by isolated adipocytes from rats 11-13 months and 23-25 months old was investigated in vitro. While size and total protein per cell did not differ at the two ages, uptake of 65Zn was depressed 40% in the adipocytes of the older animals. In contrast, serum zinc concentration was reduced marginally (15%) in the older rats. Our results suggest that altered cellular zinc metabolism may be part of the aging process.