The present work describes the composition of a purified low-protein diet (6% protein) formulated to produce protein malnutrition in rodents. The diet utilized in laboratory was based on the AIN-93 (report of the American Institute of Nutrition establishing dietary standards for nutritional studies with laboratory rodents), which was modified to investigate in malnourished rats the metabolic alterations induced by protein-deprivation associated to situations as physical exercise, pregnancy and diabetes. This diet has the following composition (g/Kg): cornstarch (480), casein (71,5), dextrinized cornstarch (159), sucrose (121), soybean oil (70), microcellulose (50), mineral mix-AIN-93-G-Mx (35), vitamin mix-AIN-93-Vx (10), L-cystine (1), choline chlorhydrate (2,5). Rats fed such diet showed features of malnutrition which have been observed in man and laboratory animals: low weight gain rates, low serum protein and albumin levels, high serum free fatty acids and increase of hepatic glycogen stores.
Purified low-protein diet; Protein malnutrition; Rodents
