[Plasma protein deficiencies and variations in plasma proteins].
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The effects of feeding, throughout gestation, a diet deficient in protein, of pair-feeding, and of supplementing the deficient diet late in gestation on maternal body weight and weights of the products of conception were investigated in the rat. Protein deprivation resulted in net loss of maternal body weight, smaller and thinner placentas with decreased DNA content and placental labyrinth size, reduced uterine tissue weight, and smaller fetuses with retarded bone development. Pair-feeding caused a less severe reduction in maternal, uterine, placental, and fetal weights. Placentas from pair-fed dams had normal cell numbers with reduced cell size. Diet supplementation late in gestation resulted in increased net and total maternal body weight and uterine, placental, and fetal fetal weights, and an apparent partial recovery in fetal bone development. Placental cell size also increased significantly. The results suggest that placental and uterine development in protein-deficient dams is not the limiting factor in fetal development. Availability of protein may be the primary limiting factor, and energy deficit may play a secondary role.
OBJECTIVE: D-bifunctional protein deficiency is an autosomal recessive inborn error of peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation. Although case reports and small series of patients have been published, these do not give a complete and balanced picture of the clinical and biochemical spectrum associated with this disorder. METHODS: To improve early recognition, diagnosis, prognosis, and management of this disorder and to provide markers for life expectancy, we performed extensive biochemical studies in a large cohort of D-bifunctional protein-deficient patients and sent out questionnaires about clinical signs and symptoms to the responsible physicians. RESULTS: Virtually all children presented with neonatal hypotonia and seizures and died within the first 2 years of life without achieving any developmental milestones. However, within our cohort, 12 patients survived beyond the age of 2 years, and detailed information on 5 patients with prolonged survival (> or =7.5 years) is provided. INTERPRETATION: Biochemical analyses showed that there is a clear correlation between several biochemical parameters and survival of the patient, with C26:0 beta-oxidation activity in cultured skin fibroblasts being the best predictive marker for life expectancy. Remarkably, three patients were identified without biochemical abnormalities in plasma, stressing that D-bifunctional protein deficiency cannot be excluded when all peroxisomal parameters in plasma are normal.
The current study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective role of zinc after lead (Pb) treatment of protein-deficient (PD) rats. The animals were subjected to seven different treatment groups: G-1 (normal control, 18% protein), G-2 (protein-deficient, 8% protein), G-3 (Pb-treated, 100 mg/kg body weight of lead acetate), G-4 (Zn-treated, zinc sulfate at a dose level of 227 mg/L drinking water), G-5 (PD + Pb-treated), G-6 (PD + Zn-treated), and G-7 (PD + Pb + Zn-treated). Serum albumin levels and total serum protein contents were estimated to assess the severity of protein deficiency at the end of 8 weeks in all the treatment groups. Also, the study explored the role of zinc on antioxidative defense system enzymes in liver of protein-deficient rats subjected to lead toxicity treatment. Further, the study was extended to elucidate the levels of zinc and lead in liver tissue after different treatments of rats using positron-induced X-ray emission technique (PIXE). The current study indicated a significant change in the levels of various antioxidative enzymes and serum albumin as well as total protein contents of protein-deficient rats subjected to lead treatment. A significant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was seen after 8 weeks of lead treatment of protein-deficient rats. On the contrary, levels of albumin, total protein content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), GSH, were found to be decreased. Interestingly, zinc supplementation has tended to normalize the altered levels of these enzymes to a significant extent. The levels of zinc in liver tissue was found to be decreased significantly in protein-deficient as well as lead-treated rats. However, hepatic zinc concentration was increased to a significant extent in protein-deficient rats supplemented with zinc when compared with protein-deficient rats. Further, the presence of lead was also observed in livers of lead-treated animals. In conclusion, the study revealed the antioxidative role of zinc in hepatotoxic conditions induced by subjecting the rats to protein-deficient diet and lead treatment.
D-bifunctional protein is involved in the peroxisomal beta-oxidation of very long chain fatty acids, branched chain fatty acids and bile acid intermediates. In line with the central role of D-bifunctional protein in the beta-oxidation of these three types of fatty acids, all patients with D-bifunctional protein deficiency so far reported in the literature show elevated levels of very long chain fatty acids, branched chain fatty acids and bile acid inter-mediates. In contrast, we now report two novel patients with D-bifunctional protein deficiency who both have normal levels of bile acid intermediates. Complementation analysis and D-bifunctional protein activity measurements revealed that both patients had an isolated defect in the enoyl-CoA hydratase domain of D-bifunctional protein. Subsequent mutation analysis showed that both patients are homozygous for a missense mutation (N457Y), which is located in the enoyl-CoA hydratase coding part of the D-bifunctional protein gene. Expression of the mutant protein in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae confirmed that the N457Y mutation is the disease-causing mutation. Immunoblot analysis of patient fibroblast homogenates showed that the protein levels of full-length D-bifunctional protein were strongly reduced while the enoyl-CoA hydratase component produced after processing within the peroxisome was undetectable, which indicates that the mutation leads to an unstable protein.
The influence of low levels of protein and vitamin A on indicators of the immune response was assayed in rats. The levels of protein and vitamin A intake of the Cuban population affected by epidemic neuropathy in 1993 was reproduced in 4 diets: control, protein deficiency (DP), vitamin A deficiency (DA), protein and vitamin A deficiency (DAP). The Peyer's patches evaluated the Interleukin 1 expression gene and was related with corporal weight, food intake, serum protein, vitamin A, immunology indicators and histology evaluation (spleen, thymus and liver). Protein deficiency generated a significant decrease of the expression gene of Interleukin 1. Atrophy signs in lymphoid tissues and morphologic changes in the liver were associated with the dietary protein utilization. Protein and vitamin A deficiency generated significant stimulation of the Interleukin 1 expression gene with increase of the level of the inflammatory state indicators as serum alpha protein, total complement and neutrophils. This stimulation could be generated by a deficient retinol mobilization to tissues. These results support the hypothesis of the function of cytokines as mediators of subclinical symptoms of the immune system during the nutritional affectations.
Both ethanol abuse and protein deficiency result in pancreatic injury. Moreover, these two variables frequently coexist. As lysosomal enzymes may play a role in the initiation of pancreatic injury, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of ethanol consumption and protein deficiency on pancreatic lysosomal stability. For 3 weeks, male Sprague-Dawley rats were match-fed (in groups of four) isocaloric amounts of one of the following liquid diets: (1) protein-sufficient diet, (2) protein-sufficient diet containing ethanol as 36% of the total energy, (3) protein-deficient diet, and (4) protein-deficient diet containing ethanol as 36% of energy. Pancreatic lysosomal stability was assessed by determining (a) latency, as indicated by the percentage increase in lysosomal enzyme activity in pancreatic homogenate induced by Triton X-100, and (b) by the percentage of lysosomal enzyme remaining in the supernatant after sedimentation of the lysosomal pellet from the pancreatic homogenate. Protein deficiency was associated with a decrease in latency and an increase in supernatant enzyme. Ethanol administration was associated with a decreased latency. Both protein-deficient and ethanol-fed animals exhibited higher pancreatic activities of cathepsin B, a lysosomal protease capable of activating trypsinogen. In addition, protein-deficient animals exhibited higher pancreatic activities of acid phosphatase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, and beta-glucuronidase. As lysosomal enzymes are postulated to play a role in the initiation of pancreatitis, these results suggest that ethanol consumption and protein deficiency may at least partly exert their toxic effects on the pancreas by altering pancreatic lysosomal stability and increasing the glandular content of cathepsin B.
The effects of moderate protein deficiency on the in vitro response of spleen cells to phytohemagglutinin in A/Jax mice were studied. The response of spleen cells from protein-deficient mice to phytohemagglutinin was found to be enhanced as compared with that of cells from control animals. Since inadequate development or function of suppressor cells in the protein-deficient mice offered a possible explanation for the enhanced lymphoproliferative activity, cocultures of spleen cells from protein-deficient and control animals were tested for their responses to phytohemagglutinin. Suppression of [3H]thymidine incorporation was detected in coculture of 25% mitomycin-treated spleen cells from control animals and 75% spleen cells from protein-deficient mice. The suppressor (regulator) elements in control spleens were found to reside in the adherent cell population.
This study was designed to determine the toxic effects of nickel sulfate on the biochemical and elemental profile of liver in protein deficient rats. Nickel sulfate in the dose of 800mg/l in drinking water was administrated to Sprauge Dawley (S.D) normal control as well as protein deficient rats for a total duration of eight weeks. The effects of nickel treatment and protein deficiency when given separately and in combination were studied on rat liver marker enzymes like Alkaline phosphatase (ALP),Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), Glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and also on the status of essential elements in rat liver. Protein deficient, Ni treated as well as combined protein deficient and nickel treated rats showed significant reductions in the body weight and hepatic protein contents as compared to normal control rats. Hepatic alkaline phosphatase activity and alanine aminotransferase showed a significant elevation in rats subjected to protein deficiency, nickel treatment and combined protein deficiency and nickel treatment. As regards to hepatic levels of aspartate aminotransferase a significant elevation was observed in protein deficient and nickel treated protein deficient animals. Nickel administration to normal and protein deficient rats has resulted in a significant increase in concentrations of nickel, phosphorus and sulfur in liver tissue. The concentration of zinc and copper in liver tissue decreased significantly in protein deficient, nickel treated and nickel treated protein deficient animals. Tissue iron concentrations were found to be decreased in protein deficient animals, but the concentrations of iron got elevated significantly in nickel treated and nickel treated protein deficient animals. It has been observed that selenium got decreased significantly in protein deficient, nickel treated and nickel treated protein deficient animals when compared to normal animals. The elevation of selenium in nickel treated protein deficient animals was also significantly higher when compared to protein deficient animals.
Persons afflicted with protein malnutrition are generally deficient in a variety of essential micronutrients like zinc, copper, iron, and selenium, which in turn affects number of metabolic processes in the body. To evaluate the protective effects of zinc on the enzymes involved in oxidative stress induced in liver of protein-deficient rats, the current study was designed. Zinc sulfate at a dose level of 227 mg/L zinc in drinking water was administered to female Sprague-Dawley normal control as well as protein-deficient rats for a total duration of 8 weeks. The effects of zinc treatment in conditions of protein deficiency were studied on rat liver antioxidant enzymes, which included catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reduced (GSH), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Protein deficiency in normal rats resulted in a significant increase in hepatic activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase and the levels of lipid peroxidation. A significant inhibition in the levels of reduced glutathione and the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase has been observed after protein deficiency in normal rats. Interestingly, Zn treatment to protein-deficient animals lowered already raised activity catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase and levels of lipid peroxidation to significant levels when compared to protein-deficient animals. Also, Zn treatment to the protein-deficient animals resulted in a significant elevation in the levels of GSH and SOD activity as compared to their respective controls, thereby indicating its effectiveness in regulating their levels in adverse conditions. It has also been observed that concentrations of zinc, copper, iron, and selenium were found to be decreased significantly in protein-deficient animals. However, the levels of these elements came back to within normal limits when zinc was administrated to protein-deficient rats. This study concludes that zinc has the potential to regulate the activities of oxidative stress enzymes as well as essential hepatic elements.
In rats fed a normal (22% protein) diet, injection of clenbuterol (1 mg/kg/d for 21 d) did not affect energy intake, energy expenditure or weight gain, but reduced energetic efficiency, and fat and energy gains and increased body protein content. Presenting a low-protein (8%) diet reduced energy intake, gain and efficiency, body protein content and the mass of the gastrocnemius muscle when compared to rats fed the control diet. Injection of the protein-deficient rats with clenbuterol (1 mg/kg/d for 21 d) caused hypophagia and reduced body weight and energy gains, energy expenditure and total body fat. However, the total body content of protein was not significantly reduced and the percentage of body protein in this protein deficient, clenbuterol-treated group was greater than that of untreated rats on both the high- and low-protein diets. The ratio of body protein to fat following clenbuterol treatment was increased by over 50% in both normal and protein-deficient rats. The results show that in protein deficient animals, clenbuterol treatment may help conserve body protein at the expense of fat, resulting in a smaller, but leaner body mass.
1. A state of protein deficiency has been produced in rats by feeding a low protein diet, thereafter a period of rehabilitation with a normal protein but a low iron supply followed. 2. For characterization of the iron metabolism during both periods haemoglobin, total iron binding capacity, liver non-haemin iron, intestinal iron absorption and the uptake of 59Fe in the liver was determined. 3. Under these conditions the amount of 59Fe incorporated into the mucosal transferrin and the ferritin fractions has been measured. Both fractions were obtained from the supernatant of a mucosal homogenate after chromatography on sepharose 6B. 4. In anemia due to protein deficiency the typical increase of 59Fe incorporation into the fraction of mucosal transferrin--usually occuring in iron deficiency--could not be observed. This coincides with the absence of an increased iron absorption. Moreover a decrease of iron absorption is observed, which is associated with a decreased 59Fe ratio of transferrin/ferritin-fraction. 5. After normalization of the protein supply the ratio of 59Fe incorporated into the mucosal transferrin and ferritin fractions was changed remarkably in favor to transferrin together with a several fold increase of the intestinal iron absorption. 6. The conclusion is drawn that mucosal transferrin and ferritin enable the body not only to adapt the absorption to a higher but also to a lower requirement as it is the case in protein deficiency.
This study examined the effect of age and protein deficiency on the function of mouse neutrophils. Compared with appropriate controls aging and protein deficiency caused significant reductions in respiratory burst activity, exocytosis, and enzyme release from neutrophils. Individually, neither aging nor protein deficiency caused decreases in the ability of the neutrophil to phagocytose or kill bacteria. When aged animals were fed a protein deficient diet, however, further reductions in neutrophil function occurred that resulted in significant decreases in phagocytosis and bacterial cell kill. These findings indicate that both aging and protein deficiency compromise neutrophil function. When both variables are present the abnormalities become sufficient to affect the neutrophils' most critically important functions. The results emphasize the importance of protein deficiency in the aged and help explain the high prevalence of bacterial infection in malnourished older individuals.
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The in vivo effects of protein malnutrition and protein rehabilitation on lactase phlorizin hydrolase (LPH) synthesis were examined. Five-day-old pigs were fed isocaloric diets containing 10% (deficient, n = 12) or 24% (sufficient, n = 12) protein. After 4 wk, one-half of the animals in each dietary group were infused intravenously with [(13)C(1)]leucine for 6 h, and the jejunum was analyzed for enzyme activity, mRNA abundance, and LPH polypeptide isotopic enrichment. The remaining animals were fed the protein-sufficient diet for 1 wk, and the jejunum was analyzed. Jejunal mass and lactase enzyme activity per jejunum were significantly lower in protein-deficient vs. control animals but returned to normal with rehabilitation. Protein malnutrition did not affect LPH mRNA abundance relative to elongation factor-1alpha, but rehabilitation resulted in a significant increase in LPH mRNA relative abundance. Protein malnutrition significantly lowered the LPH fractional synthesis rate (FSR; %/day), whereas the FSR of LPH in rehabilitated and control animals was similar. These results suggest that protein malnutrition decreases LPH synthesis by altering posttranslational events, whereas the jejunum responds to rehabilitation by increasing LPH mRNA relative abundance, suggesting pretranslational regulation.