Dietary nicotinic acid supplementation improves hepatic zinc uptake and offers hepatoprotection against oxidative damage

In rats, supplementing with high levels of nicotinic acid in diet before experiencing cell damage (induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide injections) helped protect the liver, preserving its normal structure and improving its ability to absorb zinc, a beneficial element. This effect was less pronounced if the NA was increased after the cell damage had occurred. Rats with a deficiency of nicotinic acid in their diet exhibited the highest level of liver damage.