Decreasing Ethanol Consumption in Ethanol-Dependent Rats through Supplementation of Zinc and Copper Amino Acid Chelates: A Preliminary Study

Objective: Ethanol abuse exacerbates copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies resulting in metabolic alterations that frequently lead to increased ethanol intake. This preliminary study examined the effect of Cu and Zn amino acid chelate (AAC) supplementation on ethanol intake in ethanol-dependent rats compared to non-supplemented ethanoldependent rats. Methods: After creating ethanol dependency in two groups of 10 rats each, the animals in the treated group were each gavaged with 100 μg Zn and 45 μg Cu daily as AAC for 21 consecutive days. All animals in both groups had free access to water and also to a 5% ethanol/95% water mixture (v/v) throughout the study period. Measurements included voluntary consumption of ethanol/water and of water and changes in weights. Pathological and histopathological examinations and Cu and Zn analysis of certain tissues were also done. Results: While both groups of animals exhibited initial behavior suggesting ethanol dependency, which was subsequently confirmed by pathological examinations of their tissues, the group receiving Cu and Zn AAC voluntarily began restricting its ethanol/water intake (P<0.001) and increasing its water consumption (P<0.001) compared to non-supplemented control animals. Conclusions: Oral supplement of copper and zinc amino acid chelates appeared to reduce the physical dependency for ethanol. INTRODUCTION When ingested in small quantities, ethanol is utilized as a source of energy through its oxidation to acetaldehyde by zinc (Zn)2+ activated alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) followed by further oxidaDecreasing Ethanol Consumption in Ethanol-Dependent Rats through Supplementation of Zinc and Copper Amino Acid Chelates: A Preliminary Study H. DeWayne Ashmead, PhD* Darrell J. Graff, PhD† *Albion Advanced Nutrition, Inc., Clearfield, Utah †Weber State University (retired), Zoology Department, Ogden, Utah