Adel Kamel Abdel Malek
Assiut University, Egypt
Title: Implication of protein restriction on the developing heart of albino rat
Biography
Biography: Adel Kamel Abdel Malek
Abstract
Background: Protein malnutrition has become an alarming problem in developing countries and refugee camps.
Aim of the work: The present work aims at studying the effects of maternal protein malnutrition on the structure of the heart of their off-springs.
Material and methods: 20 adult female albino rats were divided into two groups; the first group was fed normal protein diet contained 20% casein and considered as control. The second group were fed low protein diet with 9% casein and considered the experimental group. All breeder rats were habituated to their respective diets for two weeks before mating, during pregnancy and lactation. Hearts of the pups were examined at birth and at the age of one month.
Results: Hearts of pups of undernourished mothers showed cardiac myocytes with fractures of and cytoplasmic vacuulations. There was mitochondrial swellings and dehescience of the intercalated discs.
Conclusion: Changes in the structure of cardiac muscle fibers as a result of protein undernutrition is a potential insult that might lead to irreversible derangement in contractile functions of the heart.