Independent effects of protein and energy deficiency on acute-phase protein response in rats
Jennings, G.; Elia, M.
Nutrition 7(6): 430-434
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0899-9007 PMID: 1724942 Document Number: 369847
The effect of restricting protein intake alone or all dietary constituents on the acute-phase protein response was assessed during a 3-week period after a standardized "injury" (i.e., subcutaneous injection of turpentine 0.5 ml/kg body weight) to rats. Sequential measurements were made of the circulating concentrations of alpha 2-macroglobulin ( alpha 2-M), albumin and total protein and were compared with those obtained from normally fed rats that were also injected with turpentine, and with saline-injected rats (controls) receiving each dietary regimen. Turpentine-treated rats showed a decrease in albumin concentration by about 10 g/litre within 2 to 4 days. In the protein-deficient rats, recovery to pre-injection levels had not occurred by 3 weeks, but in the other groups, it was complete by 7 to 9 days. The protein-deficient rats also showed an attenuated response in alpha 2-M and total protein and delay in their recovery toward normal. Maximal alpha 2-M and total-protein responses in this group was only 44 and 39%, respectively, of the control group. It is concluded that protein deficiency attenuates the magnitude and alters the time profile of the positive ( alpha 2-M and total protein) and negative (albumin) acute-phase protein responses to injury, independent of the severity of the stimulus.