Abstract
Changes in plasma fibronectin levels were evaluated in two types of malnourished growing rats (kwashiorkor, marasmus) and in replete rats following 7 day's of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The levels of plasma total protein, albumin, retinol binding protein and plasma fibronectin in the malnourished rats were lower than those in normal feeding rats. The total protein and albumin concentrations were significantly increased after TPN in kwashiorkor rats. The plasma levels of retinol binding protein were shown to be increased after TPN in both kwashiorkor and marasmus rats. The plasma fibronectin levels in both kwashiorkor and marasmus rats were significantly increased 3 days after the start of TPN, These results suggest that the level of plasma fibronectin is a useful parameter of the early phase reaction during the nutritional replenishment with TPN.
