Alterations in the intestinal wall due to protein malnutrition in rats: evaluation of the rupture strength and the tissue's collagen.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of protein malnutrition on the intestinal wall of rats by evaluating alterations in the rupture force and dosing tissue collagen in the ileum and distal colon.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty rats, that had an average weight of 100g, were used. They received water and a standard diet with 20% protein during 7 days for adaptation to the diet itself and to environmental conditions. After that period, the animals were randomly distributed in two groups of 60 rats each: Group 1 - the animals received a control diet with 20% casein for 21 days; Group 2 - hypoprotein diet with 2% casein for 21 days. After the adaptation period, 12 animals of each group were sacrificed at 5 moments: the beginning of experimental period (M0), 4 degrees day (M1), 7 degrees day (M2), 14 degrees day (M3) and 21 degrees day (M4). The diet to the other rats was maintained until the last sacrifice. The following variables were evaluated: body weight, blood albumin rate, tissue's hydroxyproline, hydroxyproline/total protein ratio and rupture strength in the intestinal wall of the ileum and the distal colon.


RESULTS
It was observed that the rupture strength in the ileum segment and distal colon was lower in malnourished animals (Group 2); the loss of mechanical resistance was higher in the distal colon segment than in the ileum probably due to the smaller concentration of tissue collagen in the distal colon.


CONCLUSIONS
Protein malnutrition induces the loss of mechanical resistance of the ileum and distal colon and may be associated with a smaller percentage of collagenous tissue formation in the intestinal wall.
Nakajima
Victor
V
Department of Otorrinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University, Brazil. nakajima@fmb.unesp.br
Kobayasi
Shoiti
S
Naresse
Luís Eduardo
LE
Leite
Celso Vieira de Souza
CV
Curi
Paulo Roberto
PR
Montovani
Jair Cortez
JC
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis*; D003106:Colon / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000032:analysis; D007082:Ileum / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012421:Rupture / Q000503:physiopathology; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D011506:Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D003094:Collagen; D006909:Hydroxyproline