Effect of pinealectomy and melatonin supplementation on metallothionein, ZnT2, ZIP2, ZIP4 and zinc levels in rat small intestine

We investigated the relations among levels of metallothionein (MT); zinc (Zn) transport proteins, ZnT2, ZIP2 (ZRT and IRT-like proteins); and ZIP4, which enable Zn absorption in the small intestine of rats. We also investigated tissue Zn levels in the small intestine. We used four groups of adult male rats: group 1, control; group 2, pinealectomy (Px); group 3, Px + melatonin (MEL); group 4, MEL only. Animals in groups 3 and 4 were administered 5 mg/kg/day MEL for four weeks. At the end of the study, all animals were sacrificed and samples of duodenum, jejunum and ileum were harvested to analyze ZnT2, ZIP2, ZIP4 and MT levels using immunohistochemistry, and tissue Zn levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The lowest ZnT2 levels in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, and the lowest ZIP2 levels in the duodenum and ileum were found in group 2. The lowest ZIP4 levels were found in the duodenum and jejunum, and the lowest MT levels in the duodenum and ileum were found in group 2. The highest MT values in the ileum were found in group 4. We found that ZnT2, ZIP2, ZIP4 and MT levels were reduced in the ileum compared to controls following Px, but levels approached control values after MEL administration. By its effects on ZnT2, ZIP2, ZIP4 and MT levels, MEL participates in the absorption of Zn in the rat small intestine.