Longitudinal evaluation of developmental protein malnutrition resembling marasmic-kwashiorkor condition in Wistar rats

INTRODUCTION: Objectives: Protein malnutrition (PMN) is a significant public health concern that aggravates pathological states. Impact of early malnutrition on metabolism needs extensive evaluation. Current models employ short-term diet-restriction, and are neither ethically right nor clinically relevant. This study outlines the development of a PMN rat model to evaluate the effects of low protein diet (LPD) on physiological, hematological, biochemical, and histological changes affected by malnourishment from post-weaning to 40th week.


METHODS: Materials and methods: The PMN model was developed in Wistar rats (post-weaning) by assigning randomized animals to patented LPD (10% protein) and the control group to normal diet (18% protein).
RESULTS: Results: LPD-induced PMN showed stunted growth, altered biochemical and hematological markers, and significantly affected hepatic histology. Long-term study was conducted to analyze the pattern of developmental PMN and its stabilization over time.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Conclusion: The developed PMN rat model imitates the clinical condition and is confirmed as a stable, reproducible, and reliable model for short- and long-term studies. Its clinical relevance opens the avenue for research in treatment, drug development, molecular interactions, and disease model development.