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Abstract
Background/objectives
Protein malnutrition (PM) is a worldwide problem affecting brain development in a large number of children. The present study was aimed at studying the perturbations in antioxidant defense system resulting from protein deficiency and to evaluate the preventive effect of Se and Zn on cortex and cerebellum.
Methods
Well-fed (WF) and PM rats were fed on 16 and 5% protein diet, respectively. After 10 weeks, animals were supplemented with Se and Zn at a concentration of 0.15 and 227 mg/l in drinking water for 3 weeks.
Results
PM rats showed significant increase in lipid peroxidation, nitrite, and protein carbonyl levels. Reduction in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, thiol levels, GSH/GSSG ratio, and neurobehavioral deficits were observed in PM groups. Se and Zn supplementation reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation, nitrite, and protein carbonyl and restored the activity of antioxidant enzymes and thiol levels in the cortex and cerebellum of PM rats along with neurobehavioral deficits.
Discussion
The study showed that Se and Zn supplementation might be beneficial in preventing biochemical alterations and neurobehavioral deficits in PM children.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge and thank the Centre for International Co-operation in Science (CICS), India for the award of Research Training Fellowship for Developing Country Scientists (RTFDCS). We equally acknowledge the financial assistance from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi, under the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) grant and the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, under Special Assistance Programme (SAP). Appreciation also goes to the Research Scholars of Neuroscience Laboratory of the Biochemistry department, Panjab University, for technical assistance.