Na+,K+-ATPase in developing rat brain during undernutrition

Na+,K+-ATPase was studied in developing rat brain during undernutrition. The activity of Na+,K+-ATPase was significantly lower in animals that were undernourished from 6 to 17 days after birth than in well-nourished controls. The decreased activity of the enzyme was partially recovered after 4 weeks of rehabilitation. No change in the cation contents of brain following undernutrition was observed. The decrease in Na+,K4-ATPase activity was possibly due to the reduction in cholesterol contents and could be responsible for the observed functional changes associated with malnutrition or undernutrition during development.