The variation and significance of hepatic metallothionein Level in burned zinc deficiency rats

Objective: To observe burn how to affect the zinc metabolism in zinc deficiency rats and the relation between liver metallothionein （MT） level and zinc metabolism. Methods: After being burnt, zinc deficiency rats were fed different zinc content diets, and the serum zinc, MT and zinc of liver were determined. Results: The liver zinc and MT of zinc deficiency rats increased, but the serum zinc decreased, When the rats intook different amount of zinc from diet, the three parameters rised and the MT of liver was closely related to zinc of liver （r=0.86, P ＜0.01）. The regularity among serum zinc, MT and zinc of liver in different time after being burnt was studied. Conclusion: There is a dual directional regulation mechanism between MT and zinc in the body. The liver is the important organ to regulate metabolism of zinc. So the level of MT of liver is a good index to show the zinc metabolism state in the body.