title: Long-term effect of early protein malnutrition on growth curve, hematological parameters and macrophage function of rats.
abstract: To evaluate the long-term effect of mild-early maternal protein malnutrition on weight gain, hematological parameters and macrophage function in rats at adult age, we compared rats whose dams were fed diets containing either 9.5% (low protein-LPD) or 23% protein (normal-NPD) for the first 12 d of lactation. At 80 d of age, the functions of spreading, phagocytosis and killing Candida albicans were determined in resident peritoneal macrophages, whereas leukocytes and red blood cells were counted in peripheral blood. The number of resident peritoneal macrophages from LPD was the same as from NPD, but the ability of spreading and phagocytosing opsonised yeast was impaired. Besides, they were not able to block the germ tube formation or kill C. albicans to the same extent as in the control group. The low protein diet produced a significant reduction in the pups' growth and in hematological parameters although no difference was found in leukocyte counts. Taken together the data suggest that protein malnutrition during early lactation induces permanent alterations in macrophage function, body composition and hematological status, which are not restored completely even after a normal protein diet is supplied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University of Oeste Paulista, Presidente Prudente, Brazil. luiz@unoeste.br
authors.forename: Luiz Euribel
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Prestes-Carneiro
authors.forename: Rodrigo Domingues
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Laraya
authors.forename: Paula Roberta Colacino
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Ricardo Alberto
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Moliterno
authors.forename: Ionice
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Felipe
authors.forename: Paulo Cezar
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Mathias
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D001835:Body Weight; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted / Q000379:methods; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006128:Growth / Q000276:immunology; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007774:Lactation / Q000276:immunology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D011488:Protein Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013995:Time; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D006454:Hemoglobins