Of particular interest is transport at the blood-brain barrier. Additionally, I want to identify physiological factors that regulate the directional movement of zinc into and across this cellular barrier. This knowledge should enhance our understanding of the regulation of zinc distribution among tissues, specially during periods of inadequate intake, and may aid in the development of a reliable test of nutritional zinc status. Research models include a porcine animal model and in vitro cultures of bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells and porcine aortic, venous, and brain capillary endothelial cells.
Albumin facilitates zinc acquisition by endothelial cells.
The influence of zinc status on the kinetics of zinc uptake into cultured endothelial cells. Zinc-related metallothionein metabolism in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Zinc transport across an in vitro blood-brain barrier model. Hypothalamic extract influences the permeability of a blood-brain barrier model of porcine brain capillary endothelial cells. Zinc transport across an endothelium includes vesicular cotransport with albumin.