Micronutrient zinc is an essential trace element being crucial for maintaining the normal biological functions. Pre-pubertal male Wistar rats (35- 45 gm) were divided into 4 groups: (1) Negative Control (NC) - fed with standard feed (Ashirwad Industries, Chandigarh) and tap water was provided ad libitum. (2) Zinc Control (ZC) - Fed with diet containing 100 μg/gm zinc. Tap water was provided ad libitum. (3) Pair fed (PF) - Fed with 100 μg/gm Zn diet but the amount of feed given was equal to the feed consumed by Zinc deficient group. Tap water was provided ad libitum. (4) Zinc Deficient (ZD) - fed with 1.00 μg/gm zinc diet and demineralized water was provided ad libitum. Experiments were conducted for 2-, 4- and 6- weeks. Total protein, protein carbonyl, glutathione, superoxide dismutase (Total SOD, Cu-Zn SOD and MnSOD) and catalase were assessed. Results revealed significant (P<0.05) decrease in total protein, glutathione and CuZnSOD activity after dietary zinc deficiency while concentration of protein carbonyl and activities of total SOD, MnSOD and catalase increased. Study indicates that insufficient dietary zinc results in alteration of total protein, glutathione, SOD and catalase with consequent formation of protein oxidation (carbonyl) indicating the generation of reactive oxygen species leading to oxidative stress which would impede the functional aspects of brain sub-regions.

Keywords : Zinc deficiency, Brain sub regions, total protein, protein carbonyl, glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase.