Effect of protein-energy malnutrition on the electrolyte level and total proteins in rat tissues

ABSTRACT

The effect of protein and energy deficilncy on the electrolyte levels in rat serum, kidney, liver and thigh muscle was studied. The present study revealed a significant increase of serum sodium in the malnourished animals as compared with the control group. The kidney was the only tissue which showed a marked demrease in the potassium level. Calcium was significantly decreased. In both the kidney and the thigh muscle, While magnesium was markedly decreased only in the liver. Inorganic phosphorus level was decreased significantly in the serum, kidney and liver. Total protein estimations revealed that only the liver and muscle may contribute in the compensation of protein deficiency. The results of this work were compared with the data reported in the literatuer