Protein-Calorie Malnutrition Does it aggravate toxicities of environmental pollutants?

Male rats, put on 15 g/day low calorie and/or low protein diets for three weeks, were subjects in a study to determine lethal doses of organic solvents, heavy metals and agricultural chemicals. Protein-calorie malnutrition enhanced tolerance to organic solvents and heavy metals, except for methylparathion. However, tolerance to environmental pollutants was down to ordinary levels in a hot environment (32°C) despite the beneficial effects of protein-calorie malnutrition. Toxic effects of repeated exposure to benzene were aggravated by protein-calorie malnutrition in a hot environment.