Evaluasi Tikus Model Gizi Buruk Rendah Protein: Bobot Badan, Profil Protein Darah dan Perilaku

Abstract

Kekurangan gizi kronis dapat menyebabkan gizi buruk yang ditandai oleh hambatan pertumbuhan fisik dan perkembangan otak akibat asupan makanan yang tidak cukup. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengevaluasi pengaruh pemberian pakan rendah protein terhadap bobot badan, profil protein darah, dan perilaku pada tikus model gizi buruk. Sebanyak delapan ekor tikus betina galur Spraque-Dawley dibagi menjadi kelompok kontrol (pakan dengan 20% kadar protein) dan kelompok gizi buruk (pakan dengan 8% kadar protein dengan pembatasan pakan 50–60%), masing-masing empat ekor. Pengamatan bobot badan dan profil protein darah dilakukan setiap minggu selama lima minggu. Parameter perilaku meliputi rasa ingin tahu, kemampuan menggantung, stereotypic grooming, serta aktivitas sensorik dilakukan pada minggu kelima melalui uji respons perilaku dan refleks pada hewan coba. Bobot badan tikus kelompok gizi buruk menunjukkan penurunan mulai minggu pertama, serta penurunan kadar albumin darah di minggu kelima secara signifikan dibanding kontrol. Parameter profil protein, yaitu total protein, hemoglobin, dan globulin darah, mengalami penurunan dibanding kelompok kontrol walaupun tidak signifikan dan masih dalam kisaran normal. Perubahan parameter diatas juga mempengaruhi perilaku tikus terutama pada rasa ingin tahu, kemampuan menggantung, dan stereotypic grooming. Pakan rendah protein dengan pembatasan pakan efektif memodelkan tikus gizi buruk, ditandai dengan perubahan pada bobot badan, kadar albumin dan perilaku.

Chronic malnutrition can lead to undernutrition, which is characterized by impaired physical growth and brain development due to insufficient food intake. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a low-protein diet on body weight, blood protein profile, and behavior in a rat model of malnutrition. Eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a control group (fed with 20% protein content) and a malnutrition group (fed with 8% protein content and subjected to 50–60% feed restriction), with four rats in each group. Body weight and blood protein profiles were observed weekly over five weeks. Behavioral parameters, including curiosity, hanging ability, stereotypic grooming, and sensory activity, were assessed in the fifth week through behavioral and reflex response tests. Body weight in the malnutrition group showed a decrease starting from the first week, along with a significant reduction in blood albumin levels in the fifth week compared to the control group. Other blood protein parameters, including total protein, hemoglobin, and globulin, showed a decrease compared to the control group, although not statistically significant and still within the normal range. These changes also affected behavioral parameters, particularly curiosity, hanging ability, and stereotypic grooming. A low-protein diet combined with feed restriction effectively modeled malnutrition in rats, as indicated by changes in body weight, albumin levels, and behavior.