Dietary zinc status is associated with ZnT3 (SLC30A3), IL-6 gene expressions and spinal cord tissue damage in spinal cord tissue in a cuprizone-induced rat Multiple Sclerosis model

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary zinc status on spinal cord tissue damage and ZnT3, IL-6 gene expressions in a cuprizone-induced rat Multiple Sclerosis (MS) model. The study was carried out on 46 adult male rats of the genus Wistar. The animals used in the study were divided into 5 groups (G) (Control 6, other groups 10). G1, Control. G2, Sham-MS: Carboxy-methyl-cellulose (KMS) solution in which Cuprizon was dissolved was given to rats by gavage daily for 8 weeks at the rate of 1 % of daily feed consumption. MS was formed by giving 1 % of the daily feed consumption cuprizon in KMS solution by gavage to the animals in G3, 4 and 5 for 8 weeks. G4 was fed with a zinc deficient (50 µg/kg zinc) diet. G5 was given intraperitoneal (ip) zinc sulfate (5 mg/kg/day) supplementation. MS formation in animals was determined by Rotarod tests and Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) gene expression analysis. ZNT3 and IL-6 gene expression levels in spinal cord tissue samples of animals by Real-Time-PCR method; MDA and GSH levels were determined by ELISA method. The highest spinal cord MDA and IL-6 levels were obtained in G3 and G4 (P<0.05). Zinc supplementation in G5 prevented the increase in the mentioned parameters and turned them into control values (P<0.05). The spinal cord GSH and ZnT3 levels of G3 and G4 were lower than all other groups (P<0.05). Zinc supplementation prevented suppression in the same parameters in G5 and reached the control values (P<0.05). The findings of the current study suggest that zinc supplementation in addition to treatment for MS may be beneficial in reducing the severity of the disease.