Comparative Study of Nutritional Recovery with Soybean and Casein Meals in Malnourished Rats

The purpose of this research was to comparatively investigate the effect of soybean protein and casein on serum Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-s), thyroxine (T3 and T4), immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM), interleukin-6 (IL-6), triglyceride, cholesterol, total protein and albumin in a 30 days feeding after malnutrition. A control group feed on balanced diet was included. Forty female rats were used in the present study (150± 10 gm body weight). The animals were divided into 4 groups. Group 1, served as controls. Group 2, included malnourished rats (5% casein). Group 3, included rats re-fed on casein after malnutrition. Group 4, included rats re-fed on soya bean after malnutrition. As a function of malnutrition and in relation to the control group, the malnourished rats showed significant decrease in TAG, total protein and T3 but DHEA-s, cholesterol, albumin and T4 levels were not changed. On the other hand, low dietary protein induced disorder in the activity of IgG, IgM and IL-6. Nutritional recovery by diet containing 20% casein and soya bean increased the activity of DHEA-s and thyroxine, cholesterol, total protein and albumin as well as the levels of immunoglobulins and IL-6. But the level of TAG was decreased by supplemental protein either casein or soya bean. The recovery was more pronounced in rats re-fed on casein diet.