Contributions of Dietary Protein and Zinc Deficiencies to Protein Energy Malnutrition

Abstract

Some degree of zinc deficiency seems present in all cases of Protein-Energy malnutrition. Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) was induced in male Wister rats fed either adequate (30ppm) or moderately deficient levels of zinc (6ppm) in diets containing either 0.4 01' 20% spray-dried egg white. The protein-deficient rats developed PEM with oedema in 4 - 5 weeks regardless of their dietary zinc level. Except for disorders of the brain, protein deficiency was the major cause of most PEM signs - loss of appetite, growth failure, oedema, water accumulation in the liver, hypalbuminaemia and mortality. Dietary zinc deficiency aggravated some of these to a small extent. Dietary zinc alone accounted for elevations of brain iron and sodium in both PEM and non PEM rats. This suggests that zinc deficiency may significantly contribute to some of the symptoms of PEM.