Hypoalbuminemia in energy-malnourished rats infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nematoda).
Rats fed a restricted amount (60% of ad libitum intake) of a well-balanced diet (protein energy:total energy ratio of 0.20) had a reduced growth rate but maintained near-normal plasma albumin concentrations. However, when such animals were infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (a hookwormlike intestinal parasite), plasma albumin values fell precipitously, from a preinfection value of 34.7 g/L to 21.3 g/L on d 10 postinfection (p.i.). The hypoalbuminemia developed rapidly, without changes in body weight and despite an adequate amount of dietary protein. Similarly infected well-nourished animals showed a much less severe effect, plasma albumin values falling from 34.8 to only 31.3 g/L by d 10 p.i. Two measurements of gastrointestinal integrity, [51Cr]albumin leakage from the plasma and intestinal permeability to mono- and disaccharide sugars, suggested that the alterations in plasma albumin values could be explained on the basis of protein leakage into the gastrointestinal tract through parasite-induced lesions. Much greater changes in the indices of mucosal integrity were observed in the undernourished animals and overall it was clear that the energy-restricted animals had been far more severely affected by the parasite than their well-fed counterparts. The results are discussed with reference to the etiology of kwashiorkor in humans.
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D006128:Growth; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D009559:Nippostrongylus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000469:parasitology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency*
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin