[Body composition changes in cancer: an experimental study]

With the aim to study body composition changes in tumor bearing rats submitted to different nutritional conditions, Wistar rats were separated in three diet groups: regular chow, aproteic diet and regular chow after three weeks of aproteic diet. Afterwards the animals were divided in two subgroups: Waler 256 carcinossarcoma bearing rats and tumor free controls. After the sacrifice body composition measurements by the carcass analysis method were performed. Tumor bearing rats presented significant waste of total body fat, body cell mass and increase of Na/K ratio without relation to the nutritional regimen. From this data we conclude that Walker 256 carcinosarcoma causes protein caloric malnutrition even in already depleted rats. After adequate refeeding, body composition rebuilding was obtained in tumor bearing malnourished rats.