Effects of protein deficiency and rehabilitation on growth and tissue composition in growing rats

The objective of the present work was to study the influence of protein quantity and quality on some biochemical parameters in the liver, brain and plasma of rats at 51 days of age. This profile was sketched through the weight of the liver and brain and their content of DNA, RNA and protein and through the total amount of protein, the ratio NE/E and the activity of transaminase GOT and GPT in the plasma. During gestation and lactation, diets of 20% casein, 8% casein and 8% corn were used. At weaning, five experimental groups, with and without nutritional recuperation, were established. As a result, it was observed that the groups fed on a hypoprotein diet (8% casein or 8% corn) were the most seriously compromised in body weight and biochemical parameters with the group fed on corn being the most seriously affected. The animal which were recuperated nutritionally presented a net improvement in all of the parameters. However, the values describing the development of the body and organs in these groups remained inferior to those obtained in the control group. The success of reversibility will depend on the phase of development during which malnutrition occurred and the duration and intensity of the original deficit and the subsequent rehabilitation treatment. Organs in a phase of accelerated development will be especially sensitive to the irreversible effects of malnutrition.