Résumé
Red wines contain many components such as polyphenols and ethanol that may influence mineral absorption. We report on studies in a rat model that were designed to investigate the extent to which short- and long-term intake of red wine or ethanol may influence 67Zn and 65Cu absorption in rats. Rats (n = 96) were divided into three groups, a control group that received demineralized water, a group that received red wine diluted with water (v/v) and an ethanol group that received 6% ethanol. Half of each group was used for the short-term study; the others were used for the long-term study. After 3 d (short-term study) or 28 d (long-term study) of beverage consumption, the rats were gavaged with 2 mL of solution containing 2027 nmol 67Zn and 902 nmol 65Cu. Subsequently, 3-d urinary and fecal collections were performed and analyzed for total and isotopic Zn and Cu. In the long-term study, blood, tibia and liver were also sampled for mineral status assessment. Neither short- nor long-term intake of red wine altered 67Zn or 65Cu absorption. In contrast, long-term (but not short-term) ethanol consumption significantly increased both 67Zn and 65Cu absorption compared with the control and red wine groups. The long-term consumption of ethanol or red wine did not affect blood or tissue Zn or Cu levels. In conclusion, short- or long-term consumption of red wine did not have a negative effect on intestinal absorption or tissue levels of zinc and Cu in rats.