ABSTRACT

The possible connection between low protein and cassava cyanide intake and the etiology of tropical pancreatitis was investigated in male albino Wister rats. Essential biochemical parameters were determined in two groups of rats fed cassava diet containing 5.5mg/bOg cyanide with 10% and 3% protein supplement respectively for 28 days using spectrophtometric and biochemical methods. Analysis of the urinary cyanide and thiocyanate of the test and co1 ntrol samples showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). The concentration of urinary cyanide and thiocyanate in the 3% protein supplement group were 6.73 p.gIL and 3.12 gIL after 7 days and 6.33i.gIL and 3.04  after 28 days respectively while  were the concentration of cyanide and thiocyanate for the 10% protein supplement after 28 days. Depletion in whole blood glutathione level by 27.71% and 51.4% for the 3% and 10% protein supplement groups respectively were observed after 28 days. The levels of albumin and total protein in test animals were 2.23 and 5.l7gldl after 7 days and 1.30 and 3.oOgldl after 28 days. Also the test animal's serum showed increase in the activity of pancreatic amylase. Lipid peroxidation as shown by the elevated malonaldehyde levels by 7.64% and 11 .76% for the 3% and 10% protein supplement groups after 28 days was observed. In addition, there were necrosis and degeneration of tubules of liver and kidney of test groups.