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Biochemical changes and liver tissue pathology in weanling Wistar albino rats with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)
M Etukudo1, O Agbedana, E Akang
1Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Insights
This study developed a rat model for kwashiorkor, a severe malnutrition condition. The low protein diet induced kwashiorkor symptoms, which were reversed by nutritional rehabilitation, highlighting the importance of protein intake.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nutrition Science
- Pathology
Background:
- Kwashiorkor is a major cause of child mortality in tropical areas.
- Reproducible animal models are needed to study kwashiorkor's causes and effects.
- Existing models lack detailed etiological and biochemical insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and characterize a rat model of kwashiorkor.
- To investigate the biochemical and morphological changes associated with kwashiorkor.
- To evaluate the efficacy of dietary rehabilitation in reversing kwashiorkor symptoms.
Main Methods:
- 64 weanling male Wistar albino rats were used.
- Rats were fed high protein chow, high protein maize starch, or low protein maize starch diets for 4 weeks.
- The low protein group was switched to a high protein diet for 5 weeks; control groups continued their diets.
Main Results:
- The low protein diet induced kwashiorkor symptoms: growth failure, hair loss, edema, fatty liver, metabolic acidosis, hypoalbuminemia, and anemia.
- Dietary rehabilitation with a high protein diet reversed these symptoms.
- Reduced plasma retinol and increased liver enzymes in the low protein group suggest a role for free radicals.
Conclusions:
- A low protein diet in rats effectively models human kwashiorkor.
- Dietary protein repletion can reverse kwashiorkor's pathological effects.
- Free radicals may play a role in kwashiorkor's development.
Abstract:
Kwashiorkor remains a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in tropical regions. However, there are relatively few reproducible animal models to elucidate the aetiopathogenesis, biochemical derangements, and morphological changes of this condition. In the present study, 64 weanling male Wistar albino rats were divided into high protein chow, high protein maize starch, and low protein maize starch groups. After 4 weeks on these respective diets, animals on the low protein diet were commenced on the high protein maize starch diet, while those in the other groups were continued on their original diets for a further period of 5 weeks each The low protein group of animals initially showed growth failure, hair loss, oedoma, fatty liver, metabolic acidosis, hypoalbuminaemia, and anaemia, which are characteristic features of human kwashiorkor. These changes were all reversed by dietary rehabilitation with the high protein diet. The reduced plasma retinol, increased plasma alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and fatty liver observed in the low protein group of animals probably suggest an important role for free radicals in the aetiopathogenesis of kwashiorkor.
