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Vasculopathic and cardiomyopathic changes induced by low-protein high-carbohydrate tapioca based diet in bonnet
1Department of Pathology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Studies & Tech, Trivandrum, India.
Abstract:
Mucoid vasculopathy is an entity characterized by a generalized mucopolysaccharidosis of blood vessels. It has been observed in patients from our Institute. Bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata) were given low-protein normal-carbohydrate and low-protein high-carbohydrate tapioca based diets for experimental periods of 3 or 5 months. The latter diet is similar to that consumed by people from this part of India (Kerala) where mucoid vasculopathy is observed. Vascular lesions were seen in all test animals as a generalized mucopolysaccharidosis and as hyperplastic changes in intimal and medial smooth muscle cells. In 6/31 animals gross cardiac lesions were found. They consisted of biventricular hypertrophy and atrophy owning to myopathic changes and endocardial thickening. The cardiovascular lesions were enhanced in animals that received low-protein high-carbohydrate diet for a longer period. Our experiments established an etiologic role for diet, especially protein deficiency, in the induction of both vascular and cardiac changes.
Insights
Dietary protein deficiency causes mucoid vasculopathy and cardiac lesions in Bonnet monkeys. These vascular and cardiac changes were exacerbated by a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet over longer periods.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Nutritional Science
- Primate Research
Background:
- Mucoid vasculopathy, characterized by generalized mucopolysaccharidosis of blood vessels, has been observed in patients.
- A similar diet to that consumed in Kerala, India, where mucoid vasculopathy is prevalent, was used in this study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the etiologic role of diet, specifically protein deficiency, in inducing vascular and cardiac changes.
- To examine the effects of different dietary compositions on cardiovascular health in Bonnet monkeys.
Main Methods:
- Bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata) were fed either a low-protein normal-carbohydrate or a low-protein high-carbohydrate tapioca-based diet.
- Experimental periods were either 3 or 5 months.
- Vascular and cardiac tissues were examined for lesions.
Main Results:
- All test animals exhibited vascular lesions, including generalized mucopolysaccharidosis and smooth muscle cell hyperplasia.
- Gross cardiac lesions, such as biventricular hypertrophy and endocardial thickening, were found in 6/31 animals.
- Cardiovascular lesions were more severe in animals on the low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet for 5 months.
Conclusions:
- Diet, particularly protein deficiency, plays an etiologic role in the induction of mucoid vasculopathy and cardiac changes.
- Low-protein, high-carbohydrate diets can exacerbate these cardiovascular pathologies.
- Findings suggest a link between specific dietary patterns and the development of vascular and cardiac diseases.