Comparative changes between pancreas and pancreatic juice digestive enzyme contents during nutritional rehabilitation following severe protein malnutrition in the rat

The relationship between digestive enzyme activities in the pancreas and pancreatic juice was studied in post-weaning rats fed on a low-protein diet (30 g cereal protein/kg) for 1 month and a refeeding balanced diet (235 g mixed protein/kg) for the following 3 months. A control group was fed on the balanced diet for 4 months. At the end of malnutrition and at various times of refeeding, activities of amylase (EC3.2.1.1), trypsin(EC3.4.21.4), chymotrypsin (EC3.4.21.1), lipase (EC3.1.1.3), phospholipase A2 (EC3.1.1.4) and cholesterolesterase (EC3.1.1.13) in pancreas and pancreatic juice were measured. Recovery of body and pancreas weights was obtained after 3 months of refeeding. Pancreas off…