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Biomedical subjects

R C De Angelis

Publications and source records attributed to R C De Angelis.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Marginal protein deficiency in pregnant rats. Changes in offspring body composition.

The influence of protein on some biochemical parameters in the liver, brain and plasma of rats at weaning was studied. The tissue parameters studied were the amounts of DNA, RNA and protein in the liver and brain. For the plasma, the parameters studied were the total amount of protein and the ratio of non-essential to essential amino acids (ratio NE/E). During the gestation and lactation period, the rats were divided into three groups according to the diet received: group 1, 20% casein; group 2, 8% casein; and group 3, 8% corn. As a result we can assert that groups 2 and 3, fed on hypoprotein diets, were seriously compromised in body weight and in the biochemical parameters and these alteration were enhanced by the corn diet. These results suggest that the alterations depend on the duration and intensity of the malnourishment and that the quality of the protein is an important factor to be considered.

Animals↗

[Effect of lactose ingestion on body development. Study in rats].

Dams (rats) and their offsprings were fed on diets containing casein (Cas) or rice and beans (RB) as protein source. The presence of lactose improved the whole animal as well as the intestinal development in Cas diet but not from RB ones. It is suggested that lactose must be maintained permanently in diet but in low concentration. In this investigation it was also observed that the small intestinal development occurs initially by enhancement of length and weight, while after weaning only weight continues to increase independently of the presence or not of lactose in diet.

Animals↗

Effects of protein deficiency and rehabilitation on growth and tissue composition in growing rats.

The objective of the present work was to study the influence of protein quantity and quality on some biochemical parameters in the liver, brain and plasma of rats at 51 days of age. This profile was sketched through the weight of the liver and brain and their content of DNA, RNA and protein and through the total amount of protein, the ratio NE/E and the activity of transaminase GOT and GPT in the plasma. During gestation and lactation, diets of 20% casein, 8% casein and 8% corn were used. At weaning, five experimental groups, with and without nutritional recuperation, were established. As a result, it was observed that the groups fed on a hypoprotein diet (8% casein or 8% corn) were the most seriously compromised in body weight and biochemical parameters with the group fed on corn being the most seriously affected. The animal which were recuperated nutritionally presented a net improvement in all of the parameters. However, the values describing the development of the body and organs in these groups remained inferior to those obtained in the control group. The success of reversibility will depend on the phase of development during which malnutrition occurred and the duration and intensity of the original deficit and the subsequent rehabilitation treatment. Organs in a phase of accelerated development will be especially sensitive to the irreversible effects of malnutrition.

Amino Acids↗

[Quality of maternal diet and biochemical changes in the brain of the offspring. Study in rats].

The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of different levels of nutritional restriction during fetal life, suckling, and after weaning of the brain biochemical composition. At 41 days of age, the rats were killed and the brain was processed for analyses of DNA, RNA and protein. The results showed that the brain weights as well as DNA, RNA and protein brain contents were impaired by hypoprotein diet, and these alterations were enhanced by the corn diet.

Animals↗

[Effect of the intake of imbalanced protein on the liver of growing rats].

The goal of the present work was to reproduce in laboratory animals situations frequently observed in low-income population, such as the insufficient energetic ingestion associated with protein sources of inferior quality. Corn was chosen as the protein source of low biological value and casein as the reference protein. The latter was administered in adequate quantity (20%) or equal to that of the corn (10%). Several biochemical parameters and the amounts of DNA, RNA and protein in the liver of rats in a phase of rapid growth were studied. In result, we can attest that the group fed on corn were the most seriously compromised in body weight, liver weight and biochemical parameters with the group fed a restricted diet of corn being the most seriously affected. The results suggest that the alterations caused by ingestion of a balanced diet restricted in quantity were less accentuated that those observed when the diet was of corn "ad libitum".

Animals↗

Lactose load diet effect in rats.

Weanling and young adult rats were fed diets containing lactose (L) up to 50 g per 100 g diet for 15 days. The growth rats variation (W), fecal pH, net protein ratio (NPR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were determined. In weanling as well as in young adult rats an impairment of L was only detected for higher levels (greater than 20%), and diarrhea occurred only at 50%. The NPR and PER were partially effected by L because of the stimulation of appetite between 1 and 5 g%. The results for 10 and 20 g% of L were not different from controls. It was concluded that rats are not intolerant to levels of L less than or equal to 20%. The evaluation of protein quality in presence of L must be conducted with adapted methodology.

Animals↗

Nutrition-physiology link. Need to increase basic research.

Some complex mechanisms of intestinal absorption are commented in relation to their link with interactions among nutrients, or to the alimentary system itself. The nutrient bioavailability is also considered in relation to the individual nutritional status in order to emphasize the need of depth knowledge in physiology for the best understanding of nutrition and reciprocally.

Animals↗