[Nutritional and energy metabolism changes in abdominal irradiation--experimental study]

In this study the effects on nutritional status and energetic metabolism due to abdominal irradiation were analysed. Adult male Wistar rats (48), were divided in two groups Control (C) and Radiated (R). The rats were maintained all time in metabolic cages. The study was done in two periods: Period 1 begun at 0 day, where rats adapted to cages and oral diet, had food and water "ad libitum". At the day 4 indirect calorimetric measurements were performed (calorimetry I). At Period 2, group R rats abdominal radiation at a 300cGy/day rate, for 5 consecutive days, and group C started a pair feeding process linked individually to R rats and suffered application of simulated-radiation. Two other calorimetric measurements (II,III) were performed during Period 2. After radiation the last calorimetry was performed (IV). At sacrifice (day 14) blood was collected for determination of hemoglobin, haematocrit, albumin and transferrin. There were no statistical differences among groups C and R during Period 1 (p < 0.05). Great reduction in food intake and weight variation were found in Period 2, but weight loss was significantly higher in R rats. Nitrogen balance decreased in Period 2, but without difference among the groups (p < 0.05). Serum albumin was significantly lower in R rats. Respiratory quotient decreased in both groups during Period 2, but R rats kept it lower (p < 0.05). The energy expenditure level decreased after radiation in Group R. During Period 2 total substrate oxidation decreased in R rats. Radiation decreased glucose and protein oxidation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)