Impact of Hypoproteic Diet on Liver Function and Thrombopoiesis in New Zealand White Rabbits

Protein under nutrition may play a role in the development and progression of liver disease. The relationship between hypoproteic diet, liver function and subsequently thrombopoiesis has not been fully documented; hence, this study sets out to determine it in normal rabbits. The broad objective of this work is to determine the relationship between a hypoproteic diet, liver function and thrombocyte indices in normal rabbits. Twenty New Zealand White Rabbits weighing 950-1050g were used. They were assigned into two groups (A and B) of ten rabbits each and fed with rabbit chow containing 30% protein for a period of four weeks. Group A animals were changed to a 4% protein feed while group B animals were maintained on 30% protein feed. Blood samples were obtained from the marginal ear vein of the Rabbits after the period of acclimatization (4 weeks) and analyzed for baseline data and twice at eight weeks intervals post-acclimatization. The samples were taken into 2ml EDTA tubes and 5ml plain tubes for the determination of platelet counts, AST, alanine transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphate (ALP), plateletcrit (PCT), platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), Total Protein estimation, Albumin estimation and thrombopoietin assay using standard protocols. It was observed that Platelet counts, MPV, Total protein and Albumin levels were significantly lower (P≤ 0.05) in the rabbits fed hypoproteic diet compared to the rabbits of the control group while AST, ALT, ALP and thrombopoietin levels were significantly increased (P≤ 0.05) in the rabbits fed hypoproteic diet compared to the rabbits of the control group. The PCT values were decreased in the experimental group compared to the control group but were not statistically significant (P≥ 0.05). These findings suggest that hypoproteic diet impaires liver function and induce platelet destruction leading to low platelet count and alteration of platelets indices.